Unveiling a new series of posts on PHB

A peek at the new series of posts coming to the Planet Hunter Blog...

When 2021 came around, one of my new year's resolutions (aside from wishing away the third Covid lockdown) was to take the time to read more feminist literature. So I invested in two books, Florence Given's 'Women Don't Owe You Pretty' and 'Feminists Don't Wear Pink and other lies' by Scarlett Curtis. After the first chapter of 'Women Don't Owe You Pretty' I was captivated by the ideas of feminism. 

As a female physics student, it is hard not to notice the dire imbalance between male and female students studying STEM subjects and have put a lot of thought into whether this is a feminist issue or not. Many people will lead you to believe that Physics is simply a boys subject. Or rather, that boys are far more likely to have both aptitude and interest in STEM subjects than their female peers. I will forever argue that this is simply not the case. Sadly, disguising this inherently sexist issue as a women's problem has enabled many people to be completely blind to this injustice.

STEM is a male-dominated field because we live in a society that glorifies male role models in the field whilst brushing under the carpet the accomplishment of female scientists, engineers and researchers. It's like trying to enter a party, which has a big 'males only' sign in bright red on the door. The branding of STEM as a masculine field, combined with the extensive lack of opportunities offered to women in comparison to men is the true cause of this modern-day sexism issue. 

But why should any of us care?  Firstly, because Physics holds so much opportunity for intelligent and inspired girls, why should they miss out! Why would anyone support a culture which prevents young girls from reaching their fullest potential, discouraging them from following a career on account of their gender? Secondly, we must find it in us to care, because if we cannot acknowledge that the disparity between males and females within STEM is inherently a sexist issue, there is no hope of the STEM field ever becoming a gender-equal field.

Since attending university I actively sought out an Ambassador role, and I love turning up to physics interview days to represent the female students studying STEM, showing the female applicants that they deserve to be there. But now I want to reach further than university applicants and do my bit to help to change this perception and fight this great inequality. 

So what is the new series of posts on the Planet Hunter Blog? It is a series of posts dedicated to a few of the many inspiring, intelligent and brave women who have played massive roles in the Physics and space fields. I can guarantee that you will never have heard their names, and I hope it will make you question why you don't!

If you have only heard of Albert Einstein, Isaac Newton and Neil Armstong, keep your eyes peeled for this exciting, new content coming soon!