Women, Science and Fiction

OK, my last catch-up post is on women scientists writing and featured in fiction.

Skepchick starts a list of books written by female scientists (Sandra Hrdy, Marlene Zuk, and May Berenbaum) and science fiction writers (Connie Willis, Tanya Huff) and asks for additional recommendations. Be sure to read the comments for additional suggestions!

Pat at FairerScience points out that there is a special category at the IMDB for movies and TV shows with "babe scientists". Some of these have what I would consider positive portrayals of female scientists, such as Scully on X-Files and Carter on Stargate, SG-1, while others, not so much (although it's possible that Cannibal Women in the Avocado Jungle of Death falls into the "so bad it's good" category).

She's Such a Geek writes about Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory scientists and mystery novelists Camille Minichino and Ann Parker. Minichino's mysteries have a retired female physicist detective and an elemental theme: The Hydrogen Murder, The Lithium Murder, The Helium Murder, etc. They sound like fun.

Finally, there was an excellent comment thread on feminist science fiction at "I Blame the Patriarchy". Several the recommended authors also have science backgrounds, including James Tiptree Jr./Alice Sheldon (who had a doctorate in experimental psychology) and Joan Slonczewski (who is a biologist at Kenyon college).

Tags: women in science, science fiction