February 11, 2021, is the 6th International Day of Women and Girls in Science spearheaded by the United Nations to promote full and equal access to participation in science, technology, and innovation for women and girls. The Faculty of Forestry is supporting this day by featuring a few of our women researchers and asking them about their experiences as #WomenInScience!
Dr Sally Aitken
Associate Dean, Research and Innovation
What do you find to be the most exciting part of your research activities?
The best part of research is working with younger scientists – usually graduate students and postdoctoral scholars. They bring great ideas and energy to projects, and often have good knowledge of areas of research that I am just in the process of learning. I really enjoy developing research project ideas in collaboration with others. And seeing the first analyses of data from projects that have taken years to generate is like opening a box of chocolates – often full of unexpected surprises.
What advice would you give to aspiring female researchers?
Develop collaborations with like-minded scientists who bring positive ideas and are good team members. Research is much more rewarding, and much less of a struggle, when you work with good people. Also seek formal and informal mentors that will provide you with perspectives both on your field of research, and on your career as a scientist. Often these won’t be the same person. The best advice I get is often from my “book group” – in quotes because we don’t usually talk about books. We are all scientists in different but related fields, and we get together once a month to eat, laugh, and get advice from each other about the challenges we are facing.
How do we support female scientists and encourage ongoing contributions?
We should celebrate each other’s accomplishments at every step; promote the work of female scientists on Twitter and through other social media channels; and hold workshops on scientific careers for women. We all need to learn to communicate in gender-neutral ways, for example in letters of reference. We also need to work together to promote other groups that are even more under-represented in science than women, including BIPOC and LGBTQ scientists, making careers in science more accessible to all.
Dr Shannon Hagerman
Associate Professor, Department of Forest Resources Management
What do you find to be the most exciting part of your research activities?
I have the best job in the world. It is an absolute gift to be able to ask big questions, puzzle out complex connections about how the world works, think deeply, write with freedom, and work with and learn from incredibly bright and talented students and colleagues. I recognize my extreme privilege in this regard, and the opportunities that being a white female, (who has benefitted from strong mentorship), has afforded me. I try my best to give back by being a positive role model and mentoring the next generation of scientists so that they can achieve their unique goals and boundless potential.
What advice would you give to aspiring female researchers?
I have been fortunate to have had strong female mentors from early on in my career. What follows is simply the passing along of four tried and true bits of advice that I received. First and foremost, always (always) trust in your abilities and follow your instincts. This advice works on all levels and in all aspects of your career – it just does, period. Second, don’t be afraid to try new things and shift gears/thesis topics/programs/career pathways along the way until you learn your unique strengths and most importantly, what excites you! Learning what you enjoy doing is a journey (and for many of us, a lifelong, circuitous one)! Embrace that. It is where the innovation, and ultimately, authentic satisfaction comes from. Third, assemble a network of mentors tailored to your unique challenges and goals. This includes folks within your institution (they know how the system works and can advocate for you when needed – aside: let your mentors know what your goals are!!), but also (crucially), include mentors outside of your institution (sometimes an outsider’s perspective, or even just a supportive ear, is exactly what is needed!). Finally, asymmetries in labour and asks of women scientists persist in the academy. Add to this, there are only so many hours in the day, and having a life outside of work is probably desirable! Decide on the things that are important to you, say yes to these whenever possible, and for the rest, get comfortable saying, “thank you for thinking of me for this, but…”
How do we support female scientists and encourage ongoing contributions?
Removing barriers to success in science is an issue that extends beyond gender to include Indigenous people, people of colour, LGBTQ+ and people with disabilities. While the ways that individuals from different backgrounds encounter and experience barriers to success are unique, we also know that there are systemic factors that make it harder for some people to succeed. Acknowledging the importance of supporting individuals in specific situations, we already know the basic, concrete and consequential things that will help remove persistent barriers to success and transform the academy. The problem is, we just aren’t doing them nearly enough.
Simply put, when it comes to supporting women (and other underrepresented groups) in science, we need to continue to do the following: Hire them. Invite them onto grants and projects. Cite their work in research. Use their science in teaching. Listen and give credit to their ideas. Invite them to give talks and speak on panels. Collaborate with them. Nominate them. Find out what their goals are. Mentor them. Promote them into leadership roles. Finally, we need to actively counter the pernicious idea that somehow all of the above means lowering standards, and that existing practices are founded solely on merit.
These actions alone won’t solve everything. But they will make a difference. Let’s do more of them.
Dr Tara Martin
Professor, Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences
What do you find to be the most exciting part of your research activities?
The ability to inspire lasting transformation change in the way we steward biodiversity on our planet. The ability to work with incredible students, other researchers and community members to inspire this change through conservation science
What advice would you give to aspiring female researchers?
You can do this. You are good enough. The world needs you.
How do we support female scientists and encourage ongoing contributions?
Provide us with the resources we need to thrive. This includes sufficient start-up, research support, necessary facilities and equipment, teaching support, child care support. Create significant funding opportunities for women only and keep doing this until there is gender equity across all levels of science.
