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Not Just for the Boys: Why We Need More Women in Science
Why are girls discouraged from doing science? Why do so many promising women leave science in early and mid-career? Why do women not prosper in the scientific workforce?
Not Just For the Boys looks back at how society has historically excluded women from the scientific sphere and discourse, what progress has been made, and how more is still needed. Athene Donald, herself a distinguished physicist, explores societal expectations during both childhood and working life using evidence of the systemic disadvantages women operate under, from the developing science of how our brains are—and more importantly aren't—gendered, to social science
evidence around attitudes towards girls and women doing science.
It also discusses how science is done in practice, in order to dispel common for example, the perception that science is not creative, or that it is carried out by a lone genius in an ivory tower, myths that can be very off-putting to many sections of the population. A better appreciation of the collaborative, creative, and multi-disciplinary nature of science is likely to lead to its appeal to a far wider swathe of people, especially women. This book examines the modern way of working
in scientific research, and how gender bias operates in various ways within it, drawing on the voices of leading women in science describing their feelings and experiences. It argues the moral and business case for greater diversity in modern research, the better to improve science and tackle the
great challenges we face today.
Not Just For the Boys looks back at how society has historically excluded women from the scientific sphere and discourse, what progress has been made, and how more is still needed. Athene Donald, herself a distinguished physicist, explores societal expectations during both childhood and working life using evidence of the systemic disadvantages women operate under, from the developing science of how our brains are—and more importantly aren't—gendered, to social science
evidence around attitudes towards girls and women doing science.
It also discusses how science is done in practice, in order to dispel common for example, the perception that science is not creative, or that it is carried out by a lone genius in an ivory tower, myths that can be very off-putting to many sections of the population. A better appreciation of the collaborative, creative, and multi-disciplinary nature of science is likely to lead to its appeal to a far wider swathe of people, especially women. This book examines the modern way of working
in scientific research, and how gender bias operates in various ways within it, drawing on the voices of leading women in science describing their feelings and experiences. It argues the moral and business case for greater diversity in modern research, the better to improve science and tackle the
great challenges we face today.
289 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 11, 2023
11 people are currently reading
278 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 5, 2024
Good book. Not exceptional though hence 3 stars if we use a more log scaling rating.
If you need concrete examples of how pervasive gender issues are in academia/the workplace this is helpful. If you only have time to read one book though I would recommend the Gendered Brain as it covers similar points and more ground. If you are an academic and in science then reading both might be useful. My favourite finding from this book was that MM cite >> then MW then > WM then > WW. So women consistently under-cite women in academic papers (at least in Neuroscience). Athene Donald is very humorous and honest.
If you need concrete examples of how pervasive gender issues are in academia/the workplace this is helpful. If you only have time to read one book though I would recommend the Gendered Brain as it covers similar points and more ground. If you are an academic and in science then reading both might be useful. My favourite finding from this book was that MM cite >> then MW then > WM then > WW. So women consistently under-cite women in academic papers (at least in Neuroscience). Athene Donald is very humorous and honest.
March 3, 2025
I was reading the book, while I was getting two negative answers to my PhD. applications. I cried more than I had expected, while I was reading. But the book gives me hope and motivation that women can be as good in STEM as they decided to be. At the end of the book I was struggling to read because a lot of things were said repeatedly. But there are many important take-home-messages, which ispired me. I think this is very important book, that should be read not just by women.
October 13, 2024
The book should focus more on how to encourage disadvantaged women into science instead of criticising why some women are not good role models. The book also lacks examples of current women in science.
May 30, 2023
Physicist and Cambridge college Master Athene Donald takes on the complex and important issue of the gender balance in the sciences. We get plenty on the problem and the vast difference there is between the stats in the biological sciences, where there are more female than males entering the profession, and subjects such as maths, physics and computing, where females remain significantly in the minority. We also see how career progression, even for the biological sciences, seems biassed against female scientists.
What is less clear is the solutions. One of the essential contributory factors, for instance, how science is taught in secondary schools doesn't get as much coverage as it deserves. Donald mentions the important aspect of hands on - how taking part in experiments is an important introduction, but health and safety has made it far less part of the curriculum - but not how to overcome this. And there's no real mention of the way that school science, particularly physics, focuses on the boring stuff. For example, the physics of special relativity, with its implications of time travel, could easily be taught at GCSE level - far more exciting and interesting than the usual stuff.
Elsewhere we get a lot on role models - I've never really had a role model and am not convinced they make a big difference to life choices. But it could be just that I'm not the right kind of personality for that to be the case - reflecting that no one size fits all approach will work. Again, I think we could have had more about solutions than is provided. Where the book really comes alive is when Donald talks about her own work and experience - I suppose this is a kind of role modelling, but I think you already have to have got the science bug before this becomes of interest.
It is certainly true we still have a long way to go in some subjects, but I think there could have been some recognition of how far we've already come. When I did Part II experimental physics at the Cavendish, a couple of years behind Donald, there were only about half a dozen women in the cohort. Things have moved on. In the science Twitter I follow, female scientists and their work get lots of coverage. And though Donald says (without evidence) 'female scientists as talking heads on TV are still rare', I'd say (also without data) that's just not true anymore. Interestingly, when Donald mentions black hole imaging, it's female talking heads that were featured.
One thing that isn't explored is the impact of science fiction (and gaming for IT). When I talk to scientists, male and female, they often mention science fiction as an early stimulus of interest, and many computer scientists began their interest in the field as gamers. It would have been interesting to see how much the gendered attitude towards these areas leads through to those taking STEM degrees, and how this could be encouraged in female readers and technology users.
This is a really important topic than needs addressing. Donald does so effectively, though the book might have been more effective from a scientist or science writer with a bit more journalistic flair. Even so, it's a significant step in making sure the discussion remains highly visible, which may lead to some more concrete and effective solutions.
What is less clear is the solutions. One of the essential contributory factors, for instance, how science is taught in secondary schools doesn't get as much coverage as it deserves. Donald mentions the important aspect of hands on - how taking part in experiments is an important introduction, but health and safety has made it far less part of the curriculum - but not how to overcome this. And there's no real mention of the way that school science, particularly physics, focuses on the boring stuff. For example, the physics of special relativity, with its implications of time travel, could easily be taught at GCSE level - far more exciting and interesting than the usual stuff.
Elsewhere we get a lot on role models - I've never really had a role model and am not convinced they make a big difference to life choices. But it could be just that I'm not the right kind of personality for that to be the case - reflecting that no one size fits all approach will work. Again, I think we could have had more about solutions than is provided. Where the book really comes alive is when Donald talks about her own work and experience - I suppose this is a kind of role modelling, but I think you already have to have got the science bug before this becomes of interest.
It is certainly true we still have a long way to go in some subjects, but I think there could have been some recognition of how far we've already come. When I did Part II experimental physics at the Cavendish, a couple of years behind Donald, there were only about half a dozen women in the cohort. Things have moved on. In the science Twitter I follow, female scientists and their work get lots of coverage. And though Donald says (without evidence) 'female scientists as talking heads on TV are still rare', I'd say (also without data) that's just not true anymore. Interestingly, when Donald mentions black hole imaging, it's female talking heads that were featured.
One thing that isn't explored is the impact of science fiction (and gaming for IT). When I talk to scientists, male and female, they often mention science fiction as an early stimulus of interest, and many computer scientists began their interest in the field as gamers. It would have been interesting to see how much the gendered attitude towards these areas leads through to those taking STEM degrees, and how this could be encouraged in female readers and technology users.
This is a really important topic than needs addressing. Donald does so effectively, though the book might have been more effective from a scientist or science writer with a bit more journalistic flair. Even so, it's a significant step in making sure the discussion remains highly visible, which may lead to some more concrete and effective solutions.
April 8, 2025
Not sure if this is a full 5 stars but it sure felt like it. The problem of why there aren’t more women in science is a complicated one. I have read and reviewed previous neuroscience books which prove that “biologically” there should be no difference between men and women brain from a “learning STEM subjects” perspective. The hints that young girls receive growing up can be more or less subtle, but are there.
The author tells us about the stories of those who made it into the field, who are however vocal about these struggles.
As a female scientist, I have always thought that I have “had it easy”, in the sense that I have had always very supportive family and (for the most part) very supportive mentors. I have experienced my share of harassment but (sadly this world is horrible) I assumed that it was the same in every profession. Reading this book made me more aware of several things. My wiggling in between fields was motivated by not wanting to be in “only males classes”. Whilst I never expressely said those words, part of the reason why I chose my PhD group was because I wanted to be in a mostly female lab after my time in mostly male labs. And I HAVE said things like “it is just so refreshing to be surrounded by women”. Whilst I enjoyed math and physics, I switched to biological sciences because I felt like an outsider in those classes. And its not even that my classmates were like … bad people or anything. It was just the way people treat you as a girl that sometimes had that uncomfortable quality to it. I was not a fan. The more I moved through academic positions, the more I realised that having kids and continuing as a professor is very hard because people judge you and the hours are just very long. That industry pays for better maternity leave. Ultimately, even if you were not discouraged as a kid, u quickly realise that if you want to make it in certain fields of science, you have to grow a tough skin. I did not want to change my entire personality for it, and so I left academia.
The stories in this book are this and more. The author tries to go stereotype for stereotype, debunking with data and showing how harmful this is to science. This is a good read for all.
The author tells us about the stories of those who made it into the field, who are however vocal about these struggles.
As a female scientist, I have always thought that I have “had it easy”, in the sense that I have had always very supportive family and (for the most part) very supportive mentors. I have experienced my share of harassment but (sadly this world is horrible) I assumed that it was the same in every profession. Reading this book made me more aware of several things. My wiggling in between fields was motivated by not wanting to be in “only males classes”. Whilst I never expressely said those words, part of the reason why I chose my PhD group was because I wanted to be in a mostly female lab after my time in mostly male labs. And I HAVE said things like “it is just so refreshing to be surrounded by women”. Whilst I enjoyed math and physics, I switched to biological sciences because I felt like an outsider in those classes. And its not even that my classmates were like … bad people or anything. It was just the way people treat you as a girl that sometimes had that uncomfortable quality to it. I was not a fan. The more I moved through academic positions, the more I realised that having kids and continuing as a professor is very hard because people judge you and the hours are just very long. That industry pays for better maternity leave. Ultimately, even if you were not discouraged as a kid, u quickly realise that if you want to make it in certain fields of science, you have to grow a tough skin. I did not want to change my entire personality for it, and so I left academia.
The stories in this book are this and more. The author tries to go stereotype for stereotype, debunking with data and showing how harmful this is to science. This is a good read for all.
August 12, 2023
Professor Athene Donald poses some tricky questions: Why are women still so poorly represented in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM)? What are the obstacles? How do we change things? Why does it matter?
Professor Donald presents compelling evidence that there is a wide overlap between the innate talents of men and women but the choices they make with respect to profession is largely due to family, peer and societal influence. This is borne out by exam results and the statistics from developing countries where a far higher proportion of women opt to study physical sciences (physics and engineering) at university and do so successfully.
However, the popular image of scientists, in particular of physicists and engineers, continues to suggest that these are ‘male’ professions with little appeal to schoolgirls.
Professor Donald has thought a lot about early education and play, showing how in UK we have actually taken several steps backwards over the last 50 years with increasingly gendered toys and declining opportunity for practical science (workshop and labwork) at secondary school and she is passionate about challenging the artificial arts-science divide.
‘The love of questioning and the central role of creativity sitting at the heart of a scientists work is somehow lost in many educational settings.’
‘Just as scientists should know their Shakespeare and be able to write good prose, so those who pursue careers in the arts or humanities should not be ignorant of some basic science to help inform their lives’
Einstein claimed that his deep work was visual, muscular and emotional. The maths came later.
Curiosity is what drives scientists.
The Mexican Biologist Esther Orozco said, ‘When a talented woman is led away from science, humanity loses half of its talent and much more of its sensitivity and intuition.’
The book finishes with some practical tips that we can all use to make STEM a healthier environment for everyone.
Professor Donald presents compelling evidence that there is a wide overlap between the innate talents of men and women but the choices they make with respect to profession is largely due to family, peer and societal influence. This is borne out by exam results and the statistics from developing countries where a far higher proportion of women opt to study physical sciences (physics and engineering) at university and do so successfully.
However, the popular image of scientists, in particular of physicists and engineers, continues to suggest that these are ‘male’ professions with little appeal to schoolgirls.
Professor Donald has thought a lot about early education and play, showing how in UK we have actually taken several steps backwards over the last 50 years with increasingly gendered toys and declining opportunity for practical science (workshop and labwork) at secondary school and she is passionate about challenging the artificial arts-science divide.
‘The love of questioning and the central role of creativity sitting at the heart of a scientists work is somehow lost in many educational settings.’
‘Just as scientists should know their Shakespeare and be able to write good prose, so those who pursue careers in the arts or humanities should not be ignorant of some basic science to help inform their lives’
Einstein claimed that his deep work was visual, muscular and emotional. The maths came later.
Curiosity is what drives scientists.
The Mexican Biologist Esther Orozco said, ‘When a talented woman is led away from science, humanity loses half of its talent and much more of its sensitivity and intuition.’
The book finishes with some practical tips that we can all use to make STEM a healthier environment for everyone.
July 11, 2023
As a young female academic in the fields of artificial intelligence and computer science, this book has had a profound influence on how I think about myself and my gender at work. At my current and previous universities, there has been relatively little support or education on how gender impacts how others perceive and value my work. Professor Donald's book made up for that education gap.
Prof. Donald collects a vast array of stats, studies, and other data interwoven with anecdote to communicate the recent history of women in science. Some stories are appalling but unfortunately, still common. Other datum contrast the modern role of a scientist with what is currently displayed in movies and media, and how the notion of an 'ivory tower academic' is no longer true and plays into a certain level of egoism. The sources of gender disparity in science are analysed thoroughly, from the toys children play with to the bias well-established senior academics face in publication and promotion.
I highly recommend this book to anyone in science (academia or industry or policy or whathaveyou), but especially to those who have not had the luxury of support or education in these matters. This book inspired me to read more studies on women in my field, to think about what we can do to achieve gender parity, and to educate my fellow labmates.
Prof. Donald collects a vast array of stats, studies, and other data interwoven with anecdote to communicate the recent history of women in science. Some stories are appalling but unfortunately, still common. Other datum contrast the modern role of a scientist with what is currently displayed in movies and media, and how the notion of an 'ivory tower academic' is no longer true and plays into a certain level of egoism. The sources of gender disparity in science are analysed thoroughly, from the toys children play with to the bias well-established senior academics face in publication and promotion.
I highly recommend this book to anyone in science (academia or industry or policy or whathaveyou), but especially to those who have not had the luxury of support or education in these matters. This book inspired me to read more studies on women in my field, to think about what we can do to achieve gender parity, and to educate my fellow labmates.
November 15, 2023
I decided it was time to let this book inspire even younger girls to pursue science when I reached the "Where Next?" subsection (which is four pages before the end of the main body of the text, then there are twenty-nine pages of endnotes and three pages of figure and table credits, three pages of publisher's acknowledgements, and a three-page index), as I myself have already been persuaded semesters before I even touched this book, maybe even before Prof Donald thought to write it, to consider applying myself better than when I was a soprano in my parents' children's choir in the nineties.
What I liked most about this manuscript was how it provides me and any other aspiring lady or being who seems more womanly with concrete facts and figures about how these types of people are overall in almost every scientific discipline underrepresented. It is true that some are not, but by and large, this is a scientific study of how few women exist.
It also includes true facts about harassment and belittlement which I can agree exist, and not just in my imagination. I believe that when this problem has more light cast onto it, it should diminish.
I have already established a waiting list of friends to loan my copy to! Would you like to read it, too?
What I liked most about this manuscript was how it provides me and any other aspiring lady or being who seems more womanly with concrete facts and figures about how these types of people are overall in almost every scientific discipline underrepresented. It is true that some are not, but by and large, this is a scientific study of how few women exist.
It also includes true facts about harassment and belittlement which I can agree exist, and not just in my imagination. I believe that when this problem has more light cast onto it, it should diminish.
I have already established a waiting list of friends to loan my copy to! Would you like to read it, too?
March 29, 2024
I can't express how much I loved this book. Everyone should read it, family, teachers, politicians, it's absolutely fantastic, even if I did have to stop every few pages due to the sheer frustration and anger I felt from reading the stats and stories. It was an absolute pleasure to listen to Athene talk about her book last week at the Oxford Literary Festival too. Get your hands on a copy! 🙌
February 5, 2024
Thoight-provoking
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews