Women in Science and Science Novels

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Women in the so-called hard sciences have traditionally been disadvantaged, and continue to be discriminated against to this very day. They receive smaller grants for their research, ascend to the top of the career ladder less often, and more frequently than men abort their scientific career to start a family. In short, as Mary Frank Fox states, “[g]ender shapes location, rank, and rewards in science” (208). Much of this discrimination is due to the traditional image of a scientist, who is prototypically old, white and male. The different and at times stereotypical depictions of scientists can, in turn, be examined in science novels. Science novels function as an important bridge between science and the general public and can address socio-political matters such as gender discrimination, scientific misconduct, or climate change. In my talk, I would like to discuss how women are portrayed in contemporary science novels and how the authors portray their diverse struggles, focusing for example on B.B. Jordan’s Triplet Code. I would also like to raise awareness for women in the sciences in general, and hope to make an interesting contribution to your conference in the area of literature.

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About Cora Övermann:

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I recently graduated from the University of Bremen’s English-Speaking Cultures Master program after submitting a thesis titled “Consequences of Competition: Misconduct and Gender Discrimination in Contemporary Science Novels”. I am currently looking to expand this thesis into a dissertation with Professor Dr. Norbert Schaffeld, who has kindly agreed to act as supervisor. I am interested in the wider area of Fiction Meets Science and other literary genres and have previously worked at the International Office. I am also one of the founding members of the original MasterVision Conference, and as such, I would like to keep the tradition going.

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Sources

 

Frank Fox, Mary. “Women and Scientific Careers”. Handbook of Science and Technology Studies. Eds: Sheila Jasanoff, Gerald E. Markle, James C. Petersen and Trevor Pinch. Revised Edition, 2001, pp. 205-24.

Jordan, B.B. Triplet Code. The Berkley Publishing Group, 2001.