Royce speaks to ... Prof Sarah Haigh

Sarah also features in Graphene@Manchester ‘Women in a 2D world’ interview:

Acknowledging female researchers on the basis of their merit rather than their gender is a perspective that also resonates with Sarah. On the one hand, outreach activities may benefit from disproportionate representation of female scientists, as they can raise awareness of women’s contribution to science and reform gender stereotypes within the next generation. However, she feels it is important that the need for diversity, for example on interview panels, at progression meetings, and in outreach does not overly burden, and therefore negatively impact, minority staff and students.

In Sarah’s view, careful monitoring of unconscious bias in job adverts and administrative policies can help, and in particular setting transparent and realistic criteria for job and project selection will benefit everyone.

While these efforts are crucial to remedy the existing societal gender bias in academia, both researchers agree that the issue of gender equality has to be incorporated into children’s education at a much younger age. Improving the visibility of inspirational role models, be they male or female, as well as promoting inclusivity will become one of the core challenges of our time. Public attitudes and norms are changing, deems Sarah, as women confront prejudice and refuse to accept discrimination. But solidified stereotypes may be hard to break.

• Words Dr Julia Tesch | The University of Manchester

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