Since making the comments, Hunt has resigned from his position at UCL and the European Research Council. In response to the comments, female scientists have begun a social media campaign '#DistractinglySexy', posting pictures of themselves at work, falling in love, making men fall in love with them, or celebrating getting through a day in the lab without crying. Plenty of coverage of these two events has been posted elsewhere, but what I want to focus on is the response of individuals outside science to the whole event.
Largely, most individuals (particularly women, particularly scientists) have been startled by Tim Hunt's views. For women in science, I feel the prevailing cry is that of "Seriously?". I've worked as a research assistant over the past four years, and not once have I fallen in love in the lab, had someone else fall in love with me, or cried in response to criticism. It may surprise many people to realise that women aren't all delicate little flowers, who fawn over men and can't handle something as devilishly tricky as science. In fact, we're as competent as men in our jobs, and not needlessly distracted by our emotions.
Despite this, there are significant problems facing women in science. Stereotypes suggest that science is a masculine profession. CVs with men's names attached are rated higher than identical CVs with women's names at the top. Women have fewer role models. Fewer women serve on interviewing committees, simply because there aren't as many around. You can look at the evidence for yourself here. With all these problems, women in science simply don't need to hear the nonsense spouted by Tim Hunt, and someone with his standing should really think before he opens his mouth.
Now, Tim Hunt has since spoken to the Guardian, stating that he's been hung out to dry by UCL. He also said that his comments were a joke, but he did mean them. Not much of an apology, suggesting he's not too aware of how such comments affect women who work in his industry. I don't believe that he's misogynistic or particularly against women, but these comments highlight that he perhaps has a limited view of women in science. The comments aren't defensible in any case - BUT, here's what gets me, so many people in the comments simply think that the problems faced by women in science aren't a big deal. We're all overreacting and ha, can't you see the irony in these "man-hating feminists" crying over these innocent and completely harmless comments?!
I don't think that any of this is harmless, and the comments posted by so many keyboard warriors highlight our terrible attitude towards women at worst, and our lack of understanding of the barriers facing women in science at best. For example, one very well written and balanced comment called for Hunt to use his retirement to work with the Royal Society to understand the precise problems facing female scientists. All very well, and a useful suggestion. The first response to that comment was:
"No. He should do something useful."
I'm female, and I'm aspiring to work in science. I think understanding the potential barriers that could stop my career progression would be very useful!
Another comment asked how the comments were sexist. Well, suggesting that women cry at the merest hint of criticism and just swoon over their male colleagues is pretty ridiculous for one...
A final example stated how this sequence of events showed how science was no longer a meritocracy, and that 'the feminist way has come to prevail'. Given how many women were overlooked for science positions in the past, I'm not sure how much the meritocracy applied. And I'm fairly certain if the 'feminist way' prevailed, there wouldn't be so many problems for women in science.
Alright, maybe the comments got blown out of proportion, and the man lost his job. But, if you're speaking in public, you should be aware of what you're saying and how it can be interpreted. If you do say something so stupid, then perhaps you should issue a proper apology. What the commenters need to understand, however, is that there are still issues for women wanting to break into science, and attitudes similar to Hunt's really don't help. The ignorance exuded by these comments highlights how little these problems are appreciated by the majority, and it's prompting me to bang my head repeatedly at my desk. Never. Read. The. Comments.
