Best of Story Collider: Women in Science

Best of Story Collider: Women in Science

From The Story Collider by Story Collider, Inc.

March 27, 2026 · 31 min

About this episode

This episode features stories about women in science and the unique challenges they face.

This week, in honor of Women's History Month, we're presenting two stories from our archive about women in science and the unique challenges they face. Part 1:  Alison Williams' blossoming passion for chemistry is sidetracked by a professor's thoughtless comment. Part 2: Climate scientist Sarah Myhre becomes embroiled in conflict after speaking out against a senior scientist's problematic statements about climate change. Alison Williams is the Associate Provost for Diversity and Intercultural Education at Denison University. She received her Ph.D. in biophysical chemistry from the University of Rochester where she was a NSF graduate fellow and winner of the graduate student teaching award.  Prior to becoming an administrator first at Oberlin and now at Denison, she was a chemistry faculty member for 25 years, teaching at Swarthmore, Wesleyan, Princeton and Barnard College of Columbia University.  Her research focused using spectroscopy to determine the role of ions in shaping the physical properties of nucleic acids. Dr. Williams has been active nationally to increase access, inclusion and equity, especially in the sciences. She has received numerous recognitions…

People in this episode

Guests: Alison Williams, Sarah Myhre

Topics covered

  • women in science
  • challenges in academia
  • climate change
  • diversity in STEM
  • personal stories

Keywords

  • women in science
  • Alison Williams
  • Sarah Myhre
  • climate scientist
  • diversity in STEM
  • academic challenges
  • chemistry
  • climate change

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Denison University, University of Washington, 500 Women Scientists, Center for Women and Democracy

Places: Rochester, Oberlin, Swarthmore, Wesleyan, Princeton, Barnard College of Columbia University

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