Cardiff School of Social Sciences Public lecture Series

Professor Teresa Rees, School of Social Sciences, Cardiff University

The Gendered Construction of Scientific 'Excellence'

Thursday 21st February 2013 

Committee Rooms, Glamorgan Building, Cardiff University

Summary

Academics sign up to the concept of promoting 'excellence' in research through valuing objectivity, peer review and evidence-based selection by merit, even while we might argue about the inefficiencies and invisible bias built into some of the methods we use. So, how do we explain the extraordinarily robust and sustained role that gender continues to play in organising the academy? Recent figures from the European Union demonstrate women remain a small minority in senior positions not just in science, engineering and technology, but also in the humanities and social sciences, whatever the country, whatever the discipline. This paper considers the ways in which gender cuts across the allocation of academic opportunities, the choice of what research is undertaken and how it is done. It explores how gender is inadequately addressed in research – from clinical trials to the dummies used testing new car designs, compromising its excellence. 

Drinks at 5:30pm followed by lecture at 6pm.

There will be a buffet following the event.

Open to all

Biography

After six years as Pro Vice Chancellor at Cardiff University (2004-10) and a year’s sabbatical leave, Professor Rees is currently combining working on the WAVE project with being the Director for Wales of the Leadership Foundation for Higher Education, both part time.

Her research interests in inequalities, women and science policy, gender mainstreaming and higher education funding (see Projects) continue. Her research has been focused on contributing to evidence-based policy.

Recent awards include in December 2012 a University of Bath honorary degree of Doctor of Laws for distinguished academic work, particularly on gender equality research and policy and in July 2012 a Doctor of Social Sciences (honoris causa) from Queen’s University Belfast for services to education and for public service.

Professor Rees' full academic profile and biography can be viewed here