@testing987654321
But does having a female teacher in years 10 and 11 help girls decide whether to take A-level physics? After four years the answer seems to be “probably not”. Changing my gender role seems to have had no more effect than other strategies that I have employed over the years.
As someone who was inspired to study physics by my brilliant female physics teachers I can't express how angry this statement makes me.
If you look at DH's Twitter, the pinned tweet is a biography thread. The interview this comes from is in the first tweet. The thread was pinned in June. So DH still thinks that offensive interview is the best way to introduce himself.
Its important to consider that article in 'Physics World' & offensive claims by Dr Hayton within the context of his wife's work as described in the introductions of the interview:
Stephanie Hayton teaches physics in Birmingham England as a female physics teacher. She has supported and encouraged girls to study the subject and take up careers in the physical. Sciences and Engineering.
Physics World, Education & Outreach
'Gender balance, one woman at a time'
29 Sep 2016
(extract)
"When physics teacher Debbie Hayton transitioned from male to female, she conducted some “controlled social observations” in her classroom. In this article (originally published in Lateral Thoughts, Physics World’s regular column of humorous and offbeat essays about physics and physicists), she reflects on her experiences
"...The following day the other class sat in the same place as I geared up for a repeat performance. For some now forgotten reason, however, I had chosen to wear a skirt that day rather than trousers. I was already well into my run-up when I realized that the activity needed to be replanned as a matter of urgency. The class had to make do with the balloon being stuck to the wall on the other side of the room.
Some activities have definitely got better. I now join the other long-haired people on the styrofoam platform when the Van de Graaff generator comes out, and jewellery can be very useful when demonstrating magnetic and non-magnetic materials. Much of mine, it seems, is fabricated from mild steel rather than more precious materials. But in other respects I miss things that I took for granted. Moving heavy trolleys with dodgy wheels is more of a struggle as I have lost upper body strength and I have first-hand experience of the different way that men and women can be perceived when they open their mouths in meetings. I hasten to add that children seem remarkably free of the prejudices that seem to trouble some folks of my generation about women when it comes to physics and engineering.
But does having a female teacher in years 10 and 11 help girls decide whether to take A-level physics? After four years the answer seems to be “probably not”. Changing my gender role seems to have had no more effect than other strategies that I have employed over the years... In any case, I can sense a sigh of relief from my male colleagues: none of you need to take this particular plunge for the sake of physics."
physicsworld.com/a/gender-balance-one-woman-at-a-time/
I wonder if Stephanie Hayton has had much opportunity to share the successful strategies and insights which she has employed to encourage more girls into the physical sciences and engineering. I should like to hear more from her and other female physics teachers.