This exhibition highlighted the LMB’s talented women scientists and their achievements throughout the years. It followed on from the work of former LMB PhD student Kathleen Weston who participated in a project of the same title. Kathleen revisited the LMB to write a book addressing the impact of women scientists at the Institute. It was inspired by her noticing that women scientists had not been significantly mentioned in earlier publications about the LMB’s history. She interviewed LMB members past and present to understand their experiences as women scientists and how the LMB supported their careers.
Kathleen’s book Ahead of the Curve: Women Scientists at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology launched in December 2020. The pandemic prevented in-person events, so the launch successfully took place online. Over 200 people attended and listened to presentations by LMB alumnae.
The Ahead of the Curve exhibition featured significant objects, photographs and quotes from the scientists Kathleen interviewed. The display painted a picture of the challenges of being a scientist, especially as a woman, and how the climate has changed over the years. Quotes from scientists noted the feeling of having to balance work and home life, and the joy of pursuing one’s passion. Many scientists reflected on how unique and integral the LMB was in developing their careers.
The exhibition served as a thoughtful visual backdrop to an in-person two‑day symposium that honoured the research by women scientists at the LMB and celebrated Kathleen’s book. This event also boasted 200 attendees and a programme of inspirational speakers.
“I’d learned to love science the way you discover art or music. I wasn’t ambitious for papers or acclaim, just for finding the answer to the questions we were asking.”
Daniela Rhodes
AHEAD OF THE CURVE, PAGE 80
“One beauty of the LMB was you could always find someone to help with almost any technique you needed to use – it was the scientific equivalent of being a kid in a sweet shop.”
Judith Kimble
AHEAD OF THE CURVE, PAGE 130
“There are times, especially early on in your career, where you have to let science drive the rest of your life, but once you’re through that, you can start adjusting your science to your life and find the best balance.”
Mariann Bienz
AHEAD OF THE CURVE, PAGE 188 (IMAGE: M. BIENZ)
“I had the most wonderful time at the LMB. I did find it intimidating to begin with but once I realised that I had a really good project to work on, and good people to talk to … I felt I fitted in.”
Margaret (Scottie) Robinson
AHEAD OF THE CURVE, PAGE 112 (IMAGE: J. KILMARTIN/S. ROBINSON)
“Women who are really eager and highly motivated to do science will always manage somehow, but it was so scary being in a minority, that nobody would want to stay in the field unless they were very determined.”
Joan Steitz
AHEAD OF THE CURVE, PAGE 276
“In other places in the UK, there were still separate places for women to eat, but at the LMB it didn’t matter who you were up there – there were really no boundaries.”
Susan Taylor
AHEAD OF THE CURVE, PAGE 50
“I discovered that I could work on my laptop if the baby was sleeping tucked around my belly on a nursing pillow, not ideal, but as a scientist and a mother I realised very soon that you have to make compromises.”
Melina Schuh
AHEAD OF THE CURVE, PAGE 266
In my generation, it was not an advantage to be a woman, and certainly not an advantage in science. But it made me want to try harder. I think it’s a lesson for everybody that you have to be determined. You have to have a dream and you have to face failure – and you have to overcome it.”
Barbara Meyer
AHEAD OF THE CURVE, PAGE 140
“It sometimes felt like I had to paddle furiously to survive, but it was wonderful to be actually paid to do what I enjoyed doing, and to have found a friendly group to work with.”
Barbara Pearse
AHEAD OF THE CURVE, PAGE 102
“There is a subconscious thing about seeing people who look like you and have succeeded that makes you feel like you belong – it’s a lot about a feeling of belonging.”