Picture a Scientist Screening
On October 22nd, 2020, we co-hosted a virtual screening of “Picture a Scientist” with ChemClub for the University of Toronto community. This film has received plenty of praise, including being selected for the 2020 Tribeca Film Festival, so we were very excited that we could offer this experience to the U of T community! This documentary follows several exceptional female scientists who recollect their unfair experiences in their respective research fields. To say that this film was eye-opening would be an understatement; these stories give us but a glimpse into the saddening reality of gender and racial inequality that exists in STEM. A productive discussion followed the screening via Zoom, where we discussed aspects of the film, such as how we felt after hearing first-hand about the brutal injustices in STEM, and what we can do as a community to improve. This film forced us to confront our own inner prejudices, and reflect on what we can each do, individually and as a community, to pave the path forwards to equality. We have come a long way since these issues were first brought to the public’s attention, but we must remember that there is still plenty of work to do. As Variety’s review said, “It might be a while before we instinctively picture a scientist as a woman. Still, this attractive, solidly-made documentary helps lead the way.”
To find out more about the documentary, click here: https://www.pictureascientist.com/.