Book Launch: Athene Donald’s ‘Not Just for the Boys’

Please join us to celebrate the publication of Athene Donald’s book: “Not Just for the Boys: Why we need more Women in Science”, published by the Oxford University Press at this exclusive event for Churchill alumni.

The Master will introduce her book with a short talk, and then there will be an opportunity to purchase a discounted signed copy.

About the book

Why are girls discouraged from doing science? Why do so many promising women leave science in early and mid-career? Why do women not prosper in the scientific workforce?

Not Just For the Boys looks back at how society has historically excluded women from the scientific sphere and discourse, what progress has been made, and how more is still needed. Athene Donald, herself a distinguished physicist, explores societal expectations during both childhood and working life using evidence of the systemic disadvantages women operate under, from the developing science of how our brains are—and more importantly aren’t—gendered, to social science evidence around attitudes towards girls and women doing science.

It also discusses how science is done in practice, in order to dispel common myths: for example, the perception that science is not creative, or that it is carried out by a lone genius in an ivory tower, myths which can be very off-putting to many sections of the population. This book examines the modern way of working in scientific research, and how gender bias operates in various ways within it, drawing on the voices of leading women in science. It argues the moral and business case for greater diversity in modern research, the better to improve science and tackle the great challenges we face today.

To join us simply fill out the booking form at the bottom of the page.