What should the scientific community of tomorrow look like?

This was originally posted on the Digital Science blog. If you could change one thing about the scientific culture right now, what would it be? At first answering this question may seem like a fruitless exercise; after all, how could just one thing lead to fundamental cultural changes, when existing systems are so entrenched and complex. But in a climate where women still drop out of Science Technology Engineering Mathematics and Medicine (STEMM) careers at a higher rate than men, despite the recent recognition that the science community needs to be open to a larger diversity of individuals to boost its creativity, perhaps getting an answer to this simple question is exactly what is needed. In order to comprehensively get at the roots of what scientists really want from their work environment, it is necessary to consult broadly. Soapbox Science is a public outreach platform that promotes women in science and the science they do. It has placed nearly 600 women onto soapboxes over the past seven years, bringing science to the streets and helping to challenge stereotypes about what sort of person a scientist is and what it means to be a scientist in the 21st Century. Our speakers’ research span the breadth of all STEMM subjects and seniority levels, and their individual journeys showcase the multitude of career paths possible in science. This community thus represents an ideal opportunity to gain invaluable insights into what female scientists think the key challenges in the s...
Source: BioMed Central Blog - Category: General Medicine Authors: Tags: Uncategorized Soapbox Science SpotOn Source Type: blogs