Graduate Profile: Why I Decided to Study Science
Thursday, 11 February, 2021
Posted: 11 February 2021
Meet UCD Chemistry with Environmental & Sustainable graduate Eimear Madden...
To mark International Day of Women and Girls in Science, UCD Science graduate Eimear Madden explains why decided to study Science.
I chose to pursue an undergraduate degree in Science because I’m a curious person. I wanted to help answer some of the questions that the world has posed to us, particularly from a chemical perspective, for example how can we harness the energy in chemicals to provide us with electricity? And I know that these questions are difficult to answer, but I know I am capable of contributing to this kind of research.
I think it’s important that the teams of scientists who are seeking answers to these questions, are made up of representatives from every subset of society, including women. When scientists are collecting data to present answers to these questions, they are looking to do so in an unbiased way, and one way of eliminating bias is to have a variety of perspectives from men and women. Point of view, background, and personal experience impact what scientific questions are asked and how researchers go about answering them. Therefore, the importance of gender diversity in science cannot be understated. Implementing this understanding, by giving women the opportunity to excel in science, will result in better scientific outcomes for everyone.
Another reason why I chose to work in science is because Science can help to rectify many of the injustices that people in this world are facing. Sadly, women are disproportionally affected by many of these injustices for example, poverty, famine and a lack of access to clean water and an education. But we can use Science to tackle climate change which would reduce desertification which in turn could allow crops to grow in otherwise inhabitable areas. We can also use science to find new ways of cleaning water, and this could mean that women and young girls who would otherwise have to walk for miles every day, could have drinkable water. It could also mean that the girls can now go to school during the day instead of walking for water. I think that Science can help eradicate these issues and promote gender equality across the world."
Written by Eimear Madden, 10 February 2021