Recently, I was asked if I had ever encountered sexism in my field for an “Ask Emily” episode. Initially, I dismissed the idea because The Field Museum, where I work, is very supportive of women in science. We even have a “Women in Science” group that includes both men and women, aiming to promote the work of female researchers in this traditionally male-dominated field. However, upon further reflection, I realized that I do face negative and sexist comments regularly in my various inboxes.
While most of the feedback I receive is positive and encouraging, there is still a significant amount of negativity that I have to deal with while creating these uplifting videos. This is especially true when I host or co-host episodes on channels where the audience may not be familiar with me or my work. This situation made me think about other women in STEM who run channels focused on Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math.
After spending some time trying to identify female creators in STEM, I noticed a stark difference: while there are many STEM channels hosted by men with large followings, there are significantly fewer channels hosted by women that have similar reach. When I asked my Twitter followers to name their favorite women in STEM, many were surprised at how few they could think of.
This isn’t about competition; it’s about recognizing the noticeable lack of women creating science and technology-themed educational content on platforms like YouTube. I’m not suggesting that male creators don’t deserve their success; rather, I want to understand what barriers exist that prevent women from achieving the same visibility.
Women often face additional pressures, such as the expectation for every episode to be flawless. This pressure can deter both men and women, but I feel that women may be more likely to give up due to negative comments that focus on appearance rather than content quality. There is a fear of receiving feedback that prioritizes looks over intellect, which can discourage women from participating in these spaces.
Additionally, there is often an awkwardness associated with collaborating with others, as some viewers may misinterpret professional relationships. The pressure to be well-rounded—intelligent, articulate, and attractive—can be overwhelming. Negative comments about appearance can lead to self-doubt and criticism. There is a lack of acknowledgment from peers regarding the impact of these comments, which can make it difficult to brush them off.
Male colleagues may express support against sexism but often feel they have nothing to contribute to the conversation. It’s crucial for both men and women to acknowledge these issues and engage in discussions about them. We cannot tolerate internet bullying in any form; it is essential to create an environment where individuals of all genders feel valued for their contributions, free from the constraints of appearance or genetics.
To encourage more women to become content creators, we need to support each other and recognize that everyone goes through a learning curve. We must remain committed to producing quality educational content and providing more female role models in these spaces. And to all the women out there: it gets better.
Write a reflective journal entry about your personal experiences or observations related to sexism in STEM fields. Consider how these experiences have shaped your perspective and what changes you believe are necessary to foster a more inclusive environment.
Participate in a group discussion where you role-play scenarios involving sexism in STEM. Discuss how different responses can impact the situation and explore strategies for effectively addressing and mitigating sexism in professional settings.
Research a prominent woman in STEM and prepare a presentation highlighting her contributions, challenges faced, and the impact of her work. Share your findings with the class to raise awareness about the achievements of women in STEM.
Create a social media campaign aimed at promoting visibility for women in STEM. Develop content that highlights female STEM creators and encourages others to support and engage with their work. Share your campaign with peers and discuss its potential impact.
Attend a workshop focused on giving and receiving constructive feedback. Learn how to provide feedback that emphasizes content quality over appearance and practice these skills with your peers to foster a supportive learning environment.
Recently, I received a question for an Ask Emily episode about whether I had personally experienced sexism in my field. I initially shrugged it off because The Field Museum is very supportive of women in science. We even have a “Women in Science” group here, made up of both men and women, where we come together to promote the work of female researchers in this male-dominated field. However, upon further reflection, I realized that there are indeed frustratingly negative and sexist comments that I encounter daily in my various inboxes.
While the overwhelming majority of comments I receive are positive and encouraging, there is still a significant amount of negativity that I have to navigate while creating these uplifting videos. This is particularly evident when I host or co-host episodes on channels where the audience may not be familiar with me or my work. It made me wonder about other women in STEM who have channels focused on Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math.
I spent quite a bit of time trying to think of a handful of these creators. What I found is that while there are many STEM channels hosted by men with large followings, there are significantly fewer channels hosted by women that have similar reach. When I asked my Twitter followers to name their favorite women in STEM, many expressed surprise at the limited number they could think of.
This isn’t about competition; it’s about recognizing that there are noticeably fewer women creating science and technology-themed educational content on YouTube. I’m not suggesting that the male creators don’t deserve their success; rather, I want to understand what barriers exist that prevent women from achieving the same visibility.
I believe that women often face additional pressures, such as the expectation for every episode to be flawless. This pressure can deter both men and women, but I feel that women may be more likely to give up due to negative comments that focus on appearance rather than content quality.
There is a fear of receiving feedback that prioritizes looks over intellect, which can discourage women from participating in these spaces. Additionally, there is often an awkwardness associated with collaborating with others, as some viewers may misinterpret professional relationships.
The pressure to be well-rounded—intelligent, articulate, and attractive—can be overwhelming. Negative comments about appearance can lead to self-doubt and criticism. There is a lack of acknowledgment from peers regarding the impact of these comments, which can make it difficult to brush them off.
Male colleagues may express support against sexism but often feel they have nothing to contribute to the conversation. It’s crucial for both men and women to acknowledge these issues and engage in discussions about them. We cannot tolerate internet bullying in any form; it is essential to create an environment where individuals of all genders feel valued for their contributions, free from the constraints of appearance or genetics.
To encourage more women to become content creators, we need to support each other and recognize that everyone goes through a learning curve. We must remain committed to producing quality educational content and providing more female role models in these spaces. And to all the women out there: it gets better.
Sexism – Prejudice or discrimination based on a person’s sex or gender, often manifesting in social, economic, or political inequalities. – In the field of social studies, researchers examine how sexism affects women’s participation in politics and leadership roles.
Stem – An acronym referring to the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. – Universities are implementing programs to encourage more women to pursue careers in STEM fields.
Women – Adult human females, often discussed in social studies in terms of gender roles, rights, and contributions to society. – The study highlighted the significant contributions of women in the development of early scientific theories.
Science – The systematic study of the structure and behavior of the physical and natural world through observation and experiment. – Science has played a crucial role in advancing our understanding of climate change and its impacts on global communities.
Technology – The application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes, especially in industry. – The rapid advancement of technology has transformed communication methods in modern society.
Barriers – Obstacles that prevent progress or access, often discussed in terms of social, economic, or political contexts. – Researchers are exploring ways to dismantle barriers that hinder women’s advancement in scientific careers.
Visibility – The state of being seen or noticed, often related to the recognition of marginalized groups in society. – Increasing the visibility of female scientists in media can inspire young women to pursue careers in science.
Feedback – Information or reactions provided as a response to a process or activity, used as a basis for improvement. – Constructive feedback from peers is essential for refining research methodologies in scientific studies.
Support – Assistance or encouragement provided to help someone achieve a goal or overcome challenges. – Institutional support is crucial for fostering an inclusive environment in academic settings.
Community – A group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common, often discussed in terms of social dynamics and interactions. – Building a strong academic community can enhance collaborative research efforts and innovation.
