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Picture a Scientist

Picture a Scientist, an independently produced, full-length, documentary film that was an official selection of the 2020 Tribeca Film Festival, has generated broad critical acclaim. By painting a nuanced, emotional but unflinching portrait of the struggles women in science have faced in recent decades up through today, the film challenges audiences of all backgrounds and genders to question their own implicit biases and move toward change. 

Screening Event has ended.

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Women in Science

The data show that today only 33% of working scientists are women. Directors Ian Cheney and Sharon Shattuck saw an opportunity to broaden the conversation and promote change by putting the stories of women scientists front and center. Featuring geologist Jane Willenbring, chemist Raychelle Burks, and biologist Nancy Hopkins, as well as key social scientists working to understand and reduce gender bias in the sciences, Picture a Scientist brings diversity in science into sharp view at a critical time. “As we see today, science requires constantly challenging our own assumptions,” Shattuck says. “And that must be true not only for the discoveries and breakthroughs but also for the people who are encouraged to make them.”

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“Quietly devastating.” - The Boston Globe

“Fascinating and frightening examination of bias.” - WGBH

“Sweeping in scope yet intimately compelling.” – Science

Praise of the Film

The UW-Madison screening is organized by:

Annie Bauer, Andrea Dutton and Brooke Norsted, Department of Geoscience
Erika Marin-Spiotta, Department of Geography
Judith Burstyn, Department of Chemistry
Gloria Marí-Beffa, Department of Mathematics and College of Letters & Science
Morton Ann Gernsbacher, Psychology and Women Faculty Mentoring Program 
Lindsey Stoddard Cameron, Office of the Secretary of the Faculty and Women Faculty Mentoring Program
Amy Wendt, Electrical and Computer Engineering and Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Education
Jennifer Sheridan, College of Engineering and WISELI

with the support of the College of Letters & Science, the Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Education, the College of Engineering, and in partnership with Student Advocacy, Office of Graduate Student Professional Development, Office of Postdoctoral Studies, Women Faculty Mentoring Program, and Women in Science & Engineering Leadership Institute.