Jessica Wade: Evangelizing Diversity in Science
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Dr. Jessica Wade, a physicist and advocate for diversity in science, is the guest on this episode of Remarkable People. She has gained recognition for her work in writing over 1,750 Wikipedia biographies for women scientists who have been overlooked. Queen Elizabeth acknowledged her efforts and awarded her the British Empire Medal for services to gender diversity and science. Jessica is also a research fellow at Imperial College London, where she focuses on investigating new materials for optical electronic devices, particularly chiral organic semiconductors. Additionally, she is a children's author, having written a book called "Nano: the Spectacular Science of the Very, Very Small."
During the interview, Jessica shares her experience at the Queen's Garden Party, where she brought a Tupperware container of sandwiches, a tart, and cake for her father. She humorously mentions that everyone at the party was jealous of her Tupperware. The conversation then shifts to the "Casio pink calculator story," where Jessica confirms that she was one of the women scientists featured on Casio calculators to encourage girls to pursue STEM fields.
Jessica discusses the importance of Wikipedia as a democratized platform for knowledge sharing. She recognizes the significant content gaps, particularly in biographies of women and historically excluded groups. Writing Wikipedia entries for women scientists who have not received enough independent coverage poses challenges for Jessica. Finding enough references and sources to meet Wikipedia's citation requirements can be tricky. She emphasizes the importance of reliable secondary sources that provide comprehensive, neutral, and trustworthy information.
Dr. Wade discusses the historical context of how women were pushed out of scientific fields in the early 1900s. She explains that during that time, men were encouraged to learn Latin and Greek, while women excelled in the physical and chemical sciences. However, a shift occurred in the early 1900s, where women were only recognized for their roles as homemakers and mothers. This led to women being pushed out of scientific subjects that they could have pursued successful careers in. Dr. Wade believes that the way subjects are taught and the lack of skilled specialist teachers contribute to the undervaluing and underfunding of science education.
Dr. Wade discusses the impact of social media, particularly Twitter, on her work and the scientific community. She initially found Twitter to be a positive space for connecting with like-minded individuals and sharing experiences and opportunities. However, she notes that the mood on Twitter has shifted, with many trusted voices disappearing and the platform no longer feeling right. She believes that early career scientists and those trying to build networks may no longer have the same opportunities for connection and collaboration. Dr. Wade expresses hope that something new will emerge to fill the void left by Twitter.
Dr. Jessica Wade, a physicist and advocate for diversity in science, is the guest on this episode of