I have a B.S, M.S, and Ph.D. in biological engineering. I am also a creative writer of literary fiction and poetry which means that I feel like ‘spy’ between the humanities and science worlds. I am currently a postdoc at an American research university. I am writing under a pseudonym to protect my own and other’s privacy since I will be bringing in real-life anecdotes into my writing here.
In this space, I will take an intersectional approach to examining STEM academic spaces. Not only am I using a feminist lens, but I also examine how capitalism, racism, homophobia, and imperialism have shaped STEM academic culture. History is also really important to consider. We do not get much science history in our STEM classes-yet, history plays a huge role in not only scientific developments, but attitudes and practices in STEM.
STEM fields have historically been male spaces. Centuries of male control in the sciences has led to numerous consequences in all aspects of science from equity and inclusion, biased studies, flawed proclamations, corporate strangleholds in academia, devaluing of the humanities, poor pop culture representations and even worse science communication. Here are some questions I am working to answer.
· Why are we encouraging women to major in STEM, when the culture is difficult?
· Why is majoring in STEM perceived as a good return on investment? Does a STEM degree actually pay off?
· Why is STEM not really embracing feminism?
· Why does academia complain about lack of women in the upper academic ranks, but then refuse to actually hire more women?
· Why is it so damn hard to publish a manuscript?
· How are gender roles exhibiting themselves in STEM?
· Why is there so much loneliness and isolation in STEM?
· Why are some majors perceived as more prestigious than others?
· How can STEM culture in academia change?
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This Substack is for you if:
You are in STEM
You are in academia
Are a writer
Interested in history and pop culture
Have children interested in STEM
You are concerned about recent attacks on science in the United States
Are human
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