How do we love being geeks? Let us count the ways.
A few days ago I vented about a pin-up calendar featuring a bunch of female engineering students in the near-nude. But everyone’s a critic, right? How does one put forward a different image of women in science, engineering and other geeky areas beyond the hoary misguided stereotype of unattractive, unnatural misfit?
One way, of course, is to collect a couple dozen essays from women about their experiences being women in male-dominated fields that address topics from life in the lab or cubicle to talking about fashion and sex. And if you’ve been reading this blog for the last month or so, you’ll know that I won’t miss any opportunity to plug our book.
But for those of you who might prefer a more homeopathic remedy, there’s also another opportunity for geek women to stand up and be counted in images—and yes, you can keep your clothes on. (Please!) The new online science magazine Inkling has launched a contest in search of the photo which best suits the caption “OMG she’s such a geek!” It runs until the end of the month—read the rules to get all the details about where to send and info on the Ada Lovelace poster prize.
Full disclosure: I’ve written a few pieces for Inkling, which aspires to tell science stories with a touch more whimsy than they are often reported. In the words of co-editors Anne Casselman and Anna Gosline: “Founded in late 2006, we cover the science that pervades our life, makes us laugh, and helps us choose our breakfast foods. We aim to capture a larger proportion of female readers, but, of course, everyone is always welcome.”
Check Inkling out—you’ll probably learn something and have a chuckle at the same time. And if you think you can make a winning photo of female geekitude, have at it. I’ve set the bar pretty low here just wearing my Hello Kitty t-shirt—I know you can do better. There’s gotta be someone out there mired in cable spaghetti or doing cartwheels in the cavern of an accelerator!
February 15th, 2007 at 11:15 am
“How does one put forward a different image of women in science, engineering and other geeky areas beyond the hoary misguided stereotype of unattractive, unnatural misfit?”
With stylish designer science t-shirts?
http://yellowibis.spreadshirt.com
But we’re biased.
Seriously though, I think it’s an interesting contest. I think they should give extra points to candid shots vs set-up shots, however, because the best kind of geekiness is the daily, real kind. Having an over-the-top exaggerated shot is also as unreal as the negative stereotype.
February 21st, 2007 at 10:26 am
As an “old” female geek (48) - Electrical Engineering, minor Software Engineering (this was before they actually had CS degrees
and also graduate work in mathematics. I have really enjoyed finding your site and hoping that we can get more young girls interested in the sciences. I have been discouraged that at my alma mater - Purdue - percentages don’t seem to be rising. Maybe we have to make it sexy and exciting. For myself, hell it’s been great. I have traveled all over the world working as a geek - how else would an Indiana farm girl get to do that? Traveling first class no less. Perhaps if we put a little glamour in girl geekdom it will create more interest. I salute you, the site is great.
February 27th, 2007 at 1:30 pm
I’m 44, female, and have a Ph.D. in ChemE. Am I a geek? You bet. Am I a math and science geek? Hmm, I don’t think so any more. My geekiness is now more focused on words, language, and understanding people (including myself). What was once a perfect fit for me seems dry and lifeless now. I think the percentages of women in the sciences will increase only if the patriarchal, linear world view changes. I’m guessing this will only happen if it *has* to for whatever reason.
Here are a couple comments from my past: “You’re too attractive to be an engineer.” “You are so professional, you are like a man.” Tough crowd.