Female scientist claims ‘lab-selfies’ are holding back the fight against sexism

Female scientists who post ‘pretty selfies’ from their laboratories are damaging the fight against sexism.

That’s the controversial claim of Meghan Wright, a PhD student in biomedical engineering at Toronto University who recently published an opinion piece in the journal Science.

In the male-dominated world of research, women are ‘paid less’ and ‘continuously underrated’, claims Ms Wright.

Female researchers do little to tackle these issues by posting pictures of themselves to social media with ‘sweet smiles’ and wearing ‘cute outfits’, she claims.  

Ms Wright argues these women would be better spending their time pushing for policy changes that help banish sexism from science.

The scientist’s comments have sparked outrage with the female scientific community, with many arguing social media is a key tool in the fight against sexism.

Some have also criticised the journal for publishing an article that appears to ‘attack’ women attempting to communicate their work to non-scientists.

The scientist’s comments sparked outrage within the research community, with many arguing social media is a key tool in the fight against sexism. Some scientists, including wildlife biologist Imogene Cancellare (pictured), have begun a ‘stronger together’ campaign in protest

Ms Wright picked out fellow PhD student Samantha Yammine, who has amassed almost 25,000 followers on her Instagram account ‘Science Sam’.

Ms Yammine, who studies brain development, posts selfies from her laboratory or in front of blackboards in which she is sharply dressed and smiling to the camera.

Ms Wright wrote: ‘I soon found many other female graduate students and postdocs whose Instagram pages are filled with pretty selfies, fun videos, and microscope images captioned with accessible language and cute emojis.

‘These researchers assert themselves as scientists who don’t fit the stereotypes that are typically applied to women in the field. They are not boring or unfashionable. 

‘Instead, their posts demonstrate that they’re interested in clothes and makeup, that they’re physically active, and that they are attractive romantic partners.

‘By visibly contradicting stereotypes about female scientists, it is clear that they hope to inspire girls to pursue science and to encourage female scientists to showcase their femininity in our male-dominated work spaces.’

In the male-dominated world of research women are 'paid less' and 'underrated', according to an opinion article written by researcher Meghan Wright. But women posting selfies, such as this picture taken by PhD student Tezin Walji, do little to solve these issues, Ms Wright claimed

In the male-dominated world of research women are ‘paid less’ and ‘underrated’, according to an opinion article written by researcher Meghan Wright. But women posting selfies, such as this picture taken by PhD student Tezin Walji, do little to solve these issues, Ms Wright claimed

Ms Wright, a graduate student at the University of Toronto, picked out fellow PhD student Samantha Yammine, who has amassed almost 25,000 followers on her Instagram account 'Science Sam' (pictured)

Ms Yammine, who studies brain development, posts selfies from her laboratory or in front of blackboards in which she is sharply dressed and smiling to the camera

Ms Wright, a graduate student at the University of Toronto, picked out fellow PhD student Samantha Yammine, who has amassed almost 25,000 followers on her Instagram account ‘Science Sam’. Pictured are selfies posted to Ms Yammine’s account

The controversial claims were was made by Meghan Wright, a PhD student in biomedical engineering at Toronto University

The controversial claims were was made by Meghan Wright, a PhD student in biomedical engineering at Toronto University

But Ms Wright states these women would be better spending their time pushing for policy changes that help break down science’s sexist infrastructure.

She wrote: ‘Publicly documenting the cute outfit I wear and the sweet smile I brandish in the lab isn’t going to help me build a fulfilling career in a field where women hold less senior positions, are paid less, and are continuously underrated.

‘I wonder whether our efforts should instead be directed toward advocating for policy changes at institutional and governmental levels.’

Ms Yammine wrote a riposte along with three other scientists, arguing that social media is ‘a powerful tool in a larger strategy to dismantle such structures’.

Female scientists are debating whether colleagues who post 'pretty selfies' from their laboratories are damaging the fight against sexism in science. In this image, Antarctic researcher Lee Constable posts a selfie during fieldwork in Antarctica

Female scientists are debating whether colleagues who post ‘pretty selfies’ from their laboratories are damaging the fight against sexism in science. In this image, Antarctic researcher Lee Constable posts a selfie during fieldwork in Antarctica

Ms Wright claimed that women should pushing for policy changes that help break down science's sexist infrastructure.

Ms Wright claimed that women’s time would be better spent pushing for policy changes that help break down science’s sexist infrastructure. Pictured is a selfie posted by climate scientist Katharine Hayhoe

It added: ‘Selfies on Instagram are optional, but they receive 38 per cent more engagement than pictures without a face, enabling open dialogue with broad audiences in an effectively personal manner.’

Ms Yammine told Massive Science: ‘I try to show that scientists are relatable people with whom you can have two-way dialogue, with the added benefit of contributing to changing the stereotype of what a scientist looks like,’ she wrote to me.

‘The latter can be very helpful for people who, like me, have not always felt like they could belong in science or scientific discussions.’

A campaign group known as 500 Women Scientists wrote to Science to complain that the piece ‘singled out and criticised a successful woman science communicator for her Instagram presence’.

Some have criticised the journal for publishing an article that appeared to 'attack' women attempting to communicate their work to non-scientists. The 'stronger together' campaign aims to encourage women to work together to defeat sexism in science

Some have criticised the journal for publishing an article that appeared to ‘attack’ women attempting to communicate their work to non-scientists. The ‘stronger together’ campaign aims to encourage women to work together to defeat sexism in science

Science has now added a note to the original article, which reads: ‘Many have read the article as a personal attack [on Science Sam]. This was not the intent of the author or the editors, and we apologise.’

Several scientists took to Twitter to condemn the notion presented by Ms Wright. 

A teacher said that seeing scientists on social media may well be a welcome change with ‘social influencers’ and makeup artists seemingly dominating the platforms.

Science communicator and astronomer Ryan Trainor also criticised the article from Ms Wright and the publication of her article in Science.

He tweeted about the selfies for science movement and said ‘it helps encourage others to consider academic pursuits.’

Several scientists took to Twitter to condemn the notion presented by Ms Wright. Teacher @obliviatingyou wrote that seeing scientists on social media may well be a welcome change with 'social influencers' and makeup artists seemingly dominating the platforms 

Several scientists took to Twitter to condemn the notion presented by Ms Wright. Teacher @obliviatingyou wrote that seeing scientists on social media may well be a welcome change with ‘social influencers’ and makeup artists seemingly dominating the platforms 

Medical professional Dr Ana Esperenza Lin said inclusivity is the key to strengthening the position of women in STEM. In a response to Ms Wright on twitter, she wrote about the need to encourage and support one another  

Medical professional Dr Ana Esperenza Lin said inclusivity is the key to strengthening the position of women in STEM. In a response to Ms Wright on twitter, she wrote about the need to encourage and support one another  

Science communicator and astronomer Ryan Trainor  tweeted about the selfies for science movement and said 'it helps encourage others to consider academic pursuits'

Science communicator and astronomer Ryan Trainor tweeted about the selfies for science movement and said ‘it helps encourage others to consider academic pursuits’

Gabriela Serrato Marks, a marine geologist at the Masschusetts Institute of Technology, wrote in Mass Science: ‘People in the science social media world were furious because, although the article was directed at Yammine (or Science Sam, as she is known online), they felt like their work to provide a behind-the-scenes, accessible view of science was being undervalued.

‘Some communicators felt like the piece could have easily been directed at them, so its personal tone was especially painful.’

The Instagram science community responded to Ms Wright’s article by posting selfies explaining why they think scientists are ‘stronger together’. 

Ms Yammine wrote a riposte along with three other scientists, arguing that social media is 'a powerful tool in a larger strategy to dismantle such structures'

Ms Yammine wrote a riposte along with three other scientists, arguing that social media is ‘a powerful tool in a larger strategy to dismantle such structures’

The scientist selfie movement has seen a range of selfies on Instagram as women support one another in altering the perception of female scientists and making the area accessible to young girls 

The scientist selfie movement has seen a range of selfies on Instagram as women support one another in altering the perception of female scientists and making the area accessible to young girls 

Making comic quips about PPE and lab rules, users on Instagram share their stories aimed at empowering minority groups within scientific fields.

Making comic quips about PPE and lab rules, users on Instagram share their stories aimed at empowering minority groups within scientific fields.

Several hashtags, including #labselfie and  #womeninscience, flooded the social media platform in support of one another.

Wildlife Biologist Imogene Cancellare wrote on her Instagram account: ‘It’s bad enough that women in science struggle with gender bias and stereotypes on a daily basis, let alone get criticized on a national platform for taking their science to social networking sites.

‘[Ms Wright] punched down by suggesting we stay away from fun photos and engaging content, and instead stick to the research if we want to be taken seriously in science and society.

‘It was bitter, mean, and completely inappropriate for a prestigious magazine to promote.’

Several hashtags, including #sciencewomen and #labselfie, have flooded social media sites in response to reports that women are underrepresented in science

Several hashtags, including #sciencewomen and #labselfie, have flooded social media sites in response to reports that women are underrepresented in science

People from all scientific fields including archaeology, biology and physics have been sharing their images at work in labs to tackle misconceptions about women in the field

People from all scientific fields including archaeology, biology and physics have been sharing their images at work in labs to tackle misconceptions about women in the field

WHAT ARE THE FOUR SOCIAL MEDIA PERSONAS?

Scientists at Sussex University have grouped social media users into four types:

The Geek

A person who is extremely cautious to avoid the pitfalls of sharing too much about yourself. Most likely to be a boy with an interest in gaming, making music and creating videos.

The ‘geek’ will likely be interested in animations, fan fiction and false identity channels. 

These individuals will spend time building a credible professional persona online with ambiguous names and no personal details. 

Geeks worry about being exposed and fear ridicule for their projects.

 They become so involved in cultivating online projects that face-to-face interactions suffer and parents become concerned about what they see as obsessive or addictive behaviour 

The Lurker

Probably deliberately flying under the radar to avoid the potential risks of a more public online presence and audience but may also be an aspiring internet celebrity who seeks wider audiences and publics.

Will frequently comment, follow, like and share on social media to boost the posts of others. 

The lurker enjoys approving or disapproving of other people’s content rather than creating their own. Instead of public forums like Facebook where dramas can break-out, they favour more closed groups of communication.

They prefer anonymity and would much rather share content than create their own. 

The danger for these young people is that they may get caught-up in public arguments with school peers.   

The Victim

Lacking in the knowledge to keep themselves safe, some people are often at risk of being persuaded or tricked into sharing intimate information.

These people will often be seen sharing content with others, but are potentially unaware of who else might have access to that content.

These ‘victims’ are overwhelmingly likely to be female. The vast majority of representations of victims of social media abuse are young women.

These people stand a very real risk of becoming the victim of cyber bullying, grooming and exploitation. Images circulating online could be harmful in many years time.   

The Internet Celeb

Aspiring to become a successful YouTuber so they never have to work in an office or a shop or get up early ever again. You want to be a top producer of content that attracts the largest audience of as possible.

They will offer huge amounts of transparency into their lives, documenting all aspects of their daily life.

They are most likely to be found facing a camera, documenting their daily routine and relationships in great detail.

Forgoing all your privacy and anonymity in the pursuit of fame and fortune can open the individual up to abuse and criticism. Unfortunately, they can easily become a victim if you don’t play their hand correctly.



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