Women in science are not a ‘problem to be fixed’

Women in science are not a ‘problem to be fixed’

From Working Scientist by Nature Careers

March 5, 2026 · 40 min

About this episode

Cordelia Fine discusses her book on gender equality in the workplace and offers insights on supporting women returning to work after career breaks.

In the first episode of a podcast series focused on six books about the scientific workplace, Cordelia Fine tells Holly Newson why she wrote Patriarchy, Inc: What we Get Wrong About Gender Equality and Why Men Still Win at Work . Fine, a psychologist and workplace gender-equity researcher at the University of Melbourne, Australia, offers a blueprint for a fairer society that does not single out women as “a problem to be fixed.​​​​​” Describing the gender pay gap as largely a “motherhood pay gap,” she outlines how employers can support staff who return to work after a career break, without fostering resentment among colleagues. She also explains why many workplace diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, including unconscious bias training, are ineffective and can sometimes be offensive to the groups they aim to support. Fine also draws on historical examples of women being pushed out when men enter professions in larger numbers, and the effect this can have on the workplace culture. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

People in this episode

Host: Holly Newson

Guest: Cordelia Fine

Topics covered

  • gender equality
  • workplace culture
  • diversity and inclusion
  • motherhood pay gap
  • career breaks

Keywords

  • gender pay gap
  • workplace equity
  • unconscious bias
  • career breaks
  • women in science

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: University of Melbourne

Books & works: Patriarchy, Inc: What we Get Wrong About Gender Equality and Why Men Still Win at Work

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