“–Professor... it is getting on my nerves!”: when sexism in Science is discussed in undergraduate classes

Abstract

The history of Science is proving that episodes in which the work of women was shadowed or removed from register are common. Current studies show that despite the significant rise in female participation in research centers and scientific publications the sexism is still present. Considering this problem, we have recorded in video a number of classes of undergraduate students of the Chemistry bachelor course in which the role of the woman in Science came into discussion, from the histories of Marie Curie and Rosalind Franklin. The analysis of these classes showed that the participation of undergraduate students in this kind of discussion is still limited, and that clearer and more coherent positions come from those who had already had the opportunity to reflect on the topic. Considering that in society, in general, misogyny and sexism are still common, the school has a crucial role in this discussion. Thus, shedding light to aspects of Science that have stayed in the shadows behind the positive results of researches and reflecting on how much we still have to advance in the reduction of inequalities during teacher training is strongly indicated.