Tim Hunt stepped down from his UCL position – image via WikiCommons
Nobel prize-winning scientist Tim Hunt resigned from his position at University College London (UCL) after making some rather controversial comments about female scientists while attending a conference in South Korea.
“Let me tell you about my trouble with girls … three things happen when they are in the lab … You fall in love with them, they fall in love with you and when you criticise them, they cry,” Hunt said.
Unsurprisingly, the comments did not go down too well, but something positive has come of the storm, with female scientists using #distractinglysexy on Twitter to demonstrate how ridiculous Hunt’s comments truly were…
I will not say I haven’t cried for my thesis but the worst thing is being so #distractinglysexy when I code… pic.twitter.com/OKRFA3FqE5
— Alba Hierro (@hierro34) June 11, 2015
Later that day, I filled this Bronze Age ditch with my womanly archaeology tears #distractinglysexy pic.twitter.com/r8UTTCCqSg — Becca⚡️ (@BeccaPritchy) June 11, 2015
Our work on ‘Mending Broken Hearts’ can be #distractinglysexy – but BHF researchers battle on… pic.twitter.com/rsIGQysORT
— BHF (@TheBHF) June 11, 2015
Still #distractinglysexy after a full day of cell culture. Didn’t even cry this time, so proud! #HeyaTimHunt pic.twitter.com/RdAxxLJ1fY — Lucie de Beauchamp (@lu_debeauchamp) June 11, 2015
I had 3 marriage proposals after this talk. Shame I cried too much to accept #distractinglysexy #captioncompetition pic.twitter.com/Bv8yYmKhMK
— Sammie Buzzard (@TreacherousBuzz) June 11, 2015
I’m really glad that Curie managed to take a break from crying to discover radium and polonium #distractinglysexy pic.twitter.com/txYVHoidK5 — Amy Remeikis (@AmyRemeikis) June 11, 2015
Guess I can’t save the lives of my geological counterparts – I’m too #distractinglysexy to the team. As if! #TimHunt pic.twitter.com/QwXSYPhLQr
— Lisa P to the O (@xLiserx) June 11, 2015
I made it through these brain dissections without falling in love or crying. Phew! #distractinglysexy #TimHunt pic.twitter.com/q5PVkM9zCx — Sonja Vernes (@Sonja_Vernes) June 11, 2015
So #distractinglysexy in my Safety gear #science pic.twitter.com/CCrEdmEc5J
— flying toaster (@tea_n_toasted) June 10, 2015
Nothing like a sample tube full of cheetah poop to make you #distractinglysexypic.twitter.com/tdBTLRos4p — Sarah Durant (@SarahMDurant) June 11, 2015
Inspirefest 2015 is Silicon Republic’s international event running 18-20 June in Dublin that connects sci-tech professionals passionate about the future of STEM with fresh perspectives on leadership, innovation and diversity.
