Athene Donald

Leading physicist Professor Dame Athene Donald says women still face many barriers to a career in science and argues that we must improve representation.

Donald says her own experience and that of other women scientists show that women struggle against societal expectations, prejudice, hostility, condescension, and unconscious and systemic bias, particularly in science research. She says working in science can be creative and exhilarating. Diversity is key to solving today’s problems and women must take their place as equals both in the laboratory and in the committees where decisions are made.

‘A brilliant book: how we got here, where we are today – and why the lack of women in science really matters’ Alice Roberts

Donald is professor emerita in experimental physics and Master of Churchill College, University of Cambridge. She was the University of Cambridge’s first gender equality champion and has been involved in many initiatives for women in science.

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