Reflections on women in science -- diversity and discomfort: Jocelyn Bell Burnell at TEDxStormont

Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell inadvertently discovered pulsars as a graduate student in radio astronomy in Cambridge, opening up a new branch of astrophysics -- work recognised by the award of a Nobel Prize to her supervisor. She is now a Visiting Professor in Oxford.
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

[@mrslovvet]

People always demand women make their points with a smile and an apology. I like her determination.

[@flewjewcoop5308]

No, actually they do not.

[@audreychurch]

flewjewcoop maybe you never had to experience this, but women in my generation and older did. Thank women like this amazing scientist for paying the price for your freedom.

[@larjjlion]

Perfect example of how the good old days were not so good! I have a 15 year old son who loves astronomy. Last summer he ran into a 14 year old girl who loves chemistry. They spoke to each other for close to an hour.

[@clsatt14]

As a young female majoring in astrophysics, the gender issues never discouraged me from pursuing science. However, I think it's great to have voices like this one speaking up for women in a male-dominated STEM culture. As long as my peers continue to show a similar passion and care for the natural world, I'm perfectly content.

[@sammyfromsydney]

I notice that response was 6 years ago. I would be very interested to know if you feel the same way now. The issues women face tend to come later on in their careers now, when they want to have a family. I think one way to tackle that would be to make raising your own children (full or part time) a paid position regardless of gender. It is real work. How you'd structure that pay is the big question and most people accuse me of socialism or communism if I raise this. But it is the crux of the problem. Women went from rarely working and being home makers to fully participating in the workforce without losing any of the other responsibilities. It now takes 2 adults to support a family well. And it should never have been that way. The house and children don't tend to themselves. If it was paid work, women would be respected, and men wouldn't have so much incentive to shirk their household duties.

[@carl5192]

She should have won that noble prize for discovering pulsars!

[@flewjewcoop5308]

Yeah, Burnell’s breakthrough occurred in 1967. As part of a male-majority team.

[@liamatkinson410]

P Jocelyn Bell Burnell is a "wonder-full" woman,She e-mailed me once and her reply nearly made me cry.She would make a great prime minester.

[@flewjewcoop5308]

Because she made you cry?...Jeesh.

[@florendo808]

Madam Jocelyn Burnell, Sir Paul Winger, I hope you shall serve to continue educating me. Thank you

[@pastelab]

Being the smartest girl in my class I went into several prize giving ceremonies. I was the only girl in the stem subjects for most of the years...

[@modhurbhattacharjee2439]

OMG SANA IS THAT YOU?? -MODHUR

[@liamatkinson410]

"Advice on how to be a doormat" Indeed.

[@satsumajuice4]

Fantastic talk, and a fantastic female role model. Go female astrophysics majors!

[@yolagandia5495]

"fantastic female role model" Agreed :)

[@Lunar_lunaa]

One of my favorite speakers. Bravo.

[@larjjlion]

Professor Eugene Scott is one of my favorite scientists. She has done much to help out schools in America.

[@geraldconrad9141]

Smart and a humanitarian

[@JustJinty]

Internationally there is vertical and horizontal segregation of women in science - reported frequently in Government reports and academic research. This means that there are lost of women in science but not in high paid prestigious jobs - it is hard for women to get there for many reasons - Professor Bell Burnell explains why but you can focus on the aspects you prefer to if you wish.

[@5tonyvvvv]

Burnell should have won a Nobel prize! She also believes in God!

[@pastelab]

Ya buddy!!

[@andreajohancsik8851]

I will further comment about the application form where 'Male' comes before 'Female' - this example displays not only male/female bias but the assumption that there are only two possible genders. My generation is beginning to see application forms with 'Male', 'Female', and 'Other'. For example, Facebook now has around 50 options for declaring gender.

[@AtticusStount]

The reason for that is, there are only two genders. Can you point to species of rodent that have more than two genders?

[@Abhishek-sr2pu]

We are talking about science here not feelings.

[@pthegreat1104]

Well behaved women rarely make history

[@michelelevi3904]

What a super-heroine!!!

[@SarahJacob-tc4jz]

anyone here interested to work on the gaps for women in Stem/ Astronomy from minority backgrounds especially in india

[@DimmedDiamond]

I checked your channel, you're one of those mangry internet users. Oh boy. Best of luck to you with all ... "that".

[@artistsperspective5826]

I think she is a smart lady, very interesting, but she's hung up on some kinda head trip that men are unfair to women's being women, but there are a lot of men that can't do anything right, so just chill.

[@Kjærli_Lyst-hår]

Head trip? The data is there that women face inequality. It exists. You can't deny it no matter how you choose to interpret it.

[@roninho7844]

a cause d’elle et de son accent irlandais incompréhensible j’ai eu un 9 🤬

[@peterlue1156]

Isn't the problem of ace far worse?

[@SWIFTzTrigger]

where is your proof that they are paid less? there is no sex discrimination in terms of salary. Also women make up the minority of what industry?

[@minhnguyenphanhoang4193]

*cough* gender pay gap *cough* engineering *cough*

[@hydrolito]

Woman are less in dangerous jobs such as firemen, policemen, construction workers, lumber jacks, ocean fishermen, etc. So women live longer, they don't want to talk about that.

[@hydrolito]

Women in tennis player fewer sets and don't have to compete against guys excepted in mixed doubles with a male partner. More than 200th ranked male player defeated the William sisters after they said they could take on anyone ranked over 200. This guy in his career earned less than half of what Anna Kournikova earned in tennis, and only a tiny fraction of what either of the William sisters did.

[@Kjærli_Lyst-hår]

@@hydrolitothat relates to women in STEM how exactly?