Periodic Tabloid

Four top female scientists gathered in New York City as part of the World Science Festival recently to discuss their lives in the field. Similarly, CHF has been conducting oral histories of women in chemistry to better understand the changes that have occurred in the scientific workplace. There is, unsurprisingly, a lot of overlap.

Fox News used this alarming headline last week in reporting on a study published in the journal Environmental Science and Toxicology. At issue is risk and how risk is perceived and assessed.  

Greetings from the American Association of Museums conference in Houston! My colleagues and I are have gathered here to discuss what the museum of the future might look like—including CHF.

The Cold War influenced chemist Mary L. Good’s education and career, providing not only the funding but much of the public rationale for scientific research and training. As the tensions of the 50s and 60s eased, part of her job as a political science advisor was to convince both the government and the public to continue their support.

The American Academy of Arts and Sciences recently announced the formation of a commission to raise the visibility, status, and impact of the humanities and the social sciences. The effort complements a National Research Council project with similar goals for the sciences.

A 2006 UNESCO report estimates that only 27% of scientists worldwide are women. While women in chemistry fare slightly better than some in other disciplines, their rate of retention within the industry still causes concern. As part of its ongoing commitment to women in science, last week CHF held a two-day celebration of female chemists. 

For the past several decades low level antibiotics have been widely used to promote growth in farm animals. Estimates are that up to 70% of antibiotic use is for this purpose rather than to treat infections. The practice is effective and makes economic sense. Unfortunately, it is also a very efficient way to promote the emergence of drug resistant organisms which may in turn cause untreatable infections.

Last week Sarah Hunter and I presented at the Oral History in the Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference. The theme of the conference was "Displacement and Community: Using Oral History to Document Transitions, Evolutions, and Adaptation." While most other presentations focused on communities people have heard of but may not know much about (New York City taxi drivers, community organizers in West Mount Airy, or cloistered nuns) Sarah and I were the only people who spoke about scientists and science.

The current debate on climate change is not moving towards a consensus and the public appears dazed and apathetic. Perhaps understanding the history of climate could help.

A new study on the Status of Women Faculty at MIT raises questions about the perception of equality versus the reality.