The macho world of scientific research, an article on her scientific career written by Dame Kay Davies, has appeared in The New Statesman.
Kay Davies, a Somerville alumna and honorary fellow of the College, is Dr Lee’s Professor of Anatomy at the University of Oxford, Deputy Chair of the Wellcome Trust, and a fellow of Hertford College.
In her article, she recounted being encouraged as a young lecturer to seek out a junior position in order to be able to cook her husband’s meals each evening. But both Dame Kay’s partner and her employer were, she wrote, crucial in encouraging her to press on with her academic progress. Today, Dame Kay argued, others still need similar encouragement.
“Women in science also need positive role models and, critically, mentoring and career support. Be aware of your limitations, I tell them, but above all be confident and give it a try – it nearly always works out,” wrote Davies.
“Those of us who have shown what can be done need to share our experience more widely. The young researcher struggling to balance research against family often needs only to see what is possible, and to be encouraged not to give up. Her enthusiasm and drive will do the rest.”