Why Do I Bother Studying Physics as a Woman?
Sequel to ‘My Experience as a Woman in Physics’
I have often been frustrated over inequalities women and other minorities in the STEM world face.
My previous blog post ‘My Experience as a Woman in Physics’ explores prejudice I personally have faced in the scientific community. Despite these challenges, I am still pursuing a career in science. It lead me to wonder why I am so passionate, and what I would recommend to young students pursuing the subject?
Physics is a fundamental science encompassing all aspects of nature: matter, light, force, energy, particles and interactions; with the aim of formulating fundamental laws.
These laws can then be applied when predicting the outcome of future experiments. Therefore, by its very nature, physics is everywhere. This is what drew me to the subject at a young age. The inner workings of Physics can be seen in my own everyday life. Normal everyday events like pouring a coffee or looking in a mirror are now situations I am able to explain mathematically. Studying Physics has changed my perception of everyday life, which is what has always kept me excited about the subject.
I also see physics as a gateway to my future opportunities. It has opened a plethora of exciting potential career pathways. As a keen environmentalist, I am excited to be able to make a tangible impact in reducing carbon emissions by pursuing a career in the renewable energy sector. When starting my degree, I had no idea what I wanted to do. I believed I was only able to become a researcher and never dreamed of a practical role in industry. However, when asking around, I soon realised Physicists are employed in almost every sector. With this knowledge, I now realise how exciting and broad a career in Physics can be.
While the number of women in Physics have slowly risen from 24% in 2015 to 29% in 2019 (based on the University of Nottingham’s statistics), we’re still outnumbered in STEM subjects. I have had to work hard to overcome the feeling of isolation caused by underrepresentation. I have built a community around me of supportive peers, happy to listen to any issues I have. I was able to do this by joining university societies run by like minded people (such as rock climbing or vegan society). Many of these peers are women or other minorities who are able to empathise with situations. Having peers there to support and understand helps to alleviate anxiety that may crop up. I find this interaction invaluable as it is easy to feel alone or isolated.
However, not all issues are able to be passed by without being addressed. Some situations can require the university to step in due to the type or severity. Over my time at the University of Nottingham, I have slowly built up trusting relationships with faculty staff. I have done this through being honest and open with them around issues relating to the course or mental health I have faced. I also have made a conscious effort to reach out if I have needed any assistance related to course materials and deadlines. Because of these relationships, I am able to seek advice and support from individuals I trust, who know me well. This has helped when issues of mental health or sexism have arisen. Having a support network in the faculty has proven invaluable when discussing more difficult issues; such as requiring extra support and accommodations during the exam period. The School of Physics and Astronomy at University of Nottingham have been very accommodating and understanding and I have seen the issues and points I’ve raised being taken seriously. Having my voice heard provides reassurance and in turn enables me to express myself freely.
If I was in a position to give advice to those entering into a STEM career, it would be to talk to others around you, we are all not alone in our experiences. It is easy to feel isolated when being underrepresented within a peer group. However, by building a group of like-minded individuals, these situations can be less daunting. Even when others have not experienced the same exact situation, many have similar experiences and are able to empathise with the feelings of discomfort or social isolation.
In certain situations, it can become onerous to speak up when others make you feel uncomfortable. The social pressure to conform and let situations pass is an effect we all feel. It can often be easier to let jokes or offhand remarks pass, rather than pointing them out and making others feel uncomfortable or wrong. To overcome this, I have found that taking a step back, observing what’s happening then reporting it later was helpful to me. Through me not confronting the situation head on, I’ve found it to relieve pressure and negate the difficult social element. If an action or incident needs to be reported, I feel that it is important to do so, but I have found upon reflection that a moment to collect and structure my thoughts has been invaluable to me by taking the strong emotions out. It is important to show people that their actions are unacceptable to others and not always desirable.
By building up courage and practicing assertiveness, we can pathe the way for other minorities in the STEM community, building up a healthy level of respect for all.
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