Stemm the Bleed

This book examines the working lives of women scientists from different countries, backgrounds, and career stages. Despite their varied experiences, many face similar challenges: job insecurity, high stress, unequal caregiving responsibilities, gender discrimination, limited support for career development, and a culture that tolerates bullying and harassment.
The research is based on qualitative responses from 30 women scientists who were selected through articles they had published. Each responded to a 10-question survey in 2021–22, offering insights into their day-to-day experiences in science. While their stories differ, a common theme emerged: many felt science remains a male-dominated field where progress can be harder for women.
One of the more striking findings is the extent and nature of (sexual) harassment and bullying in these high-skill environments. In the context of ongoing conversations around gender equality and the #MeToo movement, these firsthand accounts add evidence and nuance to a highly charged public debate.
This book doesn’t offer easy solutions. Instead, it gives readers a clear picture of what working in science is like for many women today, and shares their own suggestions for how conditions could improve. For readers in academia, research, or other professional environments, it raises important questions about culture, leadership, and inclusion.

Dr. Georgina Murray was an associate professor at Griffith University and taught sociology at all levels there for 26 years. During that time, she wrote or co-wrote five books. And she has been the recipient of three other ARC awards; and she was the co-editor of the Journal of Sociology 2009-2013. Dr. Murray is a senior research fellow working on an ARC project—Intimidation and Voice of Climate Scientists (2019). The original intention of the project was to help give voice to the climate scientists who were deemed to be experiencing abuse and intimidation. So an international board was set up to facilitate an international quantitative survey on the subject which could be fed back to the community. What emerged from the survey was that a gendered difference amongst those surveyed was identified in relation to their experiences in scientific institutions.