Social Science Space

If you were to draw a ‘scientist,’ what would be the distinguishing features? Martin Rowley and James Hartley look at psychology studies which have evaluated children’s perceptions of scientists, all confirming stereotypical views of scientists as predominately white and male.

Academics in children’s picture books tend to be elderly, old men, who work in science, called Professor SomethingDumb. Michelle Terras argues it matters if children are shown that researchers are male, mad and muddleheaded.