Some believe that men perform better in the field of science, as most Nobel Prize winners are male. However, this perception is influenced by societal attitudes, and historically, women have not always had equal educational and award opportunities. Today, with a shift towards gender equality, outstanding female scientists are gaining more opportunities to shine. Who are some female scientists you know?
Dame Jane Goodall from the UK is a world-renowned primatologist and anthropologist. She has dedicated over 60 years to studying chimpanzees, correcting numerous misconceptions in academia about them and making many valuable new contributions to primatology.
In 1960, at the age of 26, Goodall began a field research project on chimpanzees at Gombe Stream National Park. Initially underestimated, her passion and persistence led to astonishing discoveries. She found that chimpanzees could select and use tools to fish for ants from nests, challenging the long-held belief that "only humans make tools" and updating perspectives in anthropology and animal behavior.
Goodall was awarded a PhD in animal behavior from Cambridge University for this discovery. Despite her accolades, she chose not to remain in the comfort of cities and laboratories but returned to Gombe Stream National Park. With the donations she received, she established the Gombe Stream Research Centre, dedicated to studying chimpanzees. This center is unique for its nearly 50 years of continuous field observation of chimpanzees.
(Dame Jane Goodall, dedicated to chimpanzee research and conservation)
Later, Goodall continued her research on chimpanzees, yielding significant results. Previously thought to be docile herbivores, she discovered that chimpanzees hunt, engage in warfare, and sometimes attack and kill their own kind for amusement. She also uncovered the social hierarchy within chimpanzee communities. Subsequently, Goodall founded research societies and environmental education programs, advocating for and supporting animal conservation projects.
Through her passion, resilience, and expertise, Goodall has made substantial contributions to academia and tirelessly promoted environmental conservation, making a difference in the world. In reality, regardless of gender, anyone with passion and perseverance can carve out a space in their chosen field. To learn more about female scientists in the field of science, you can watch videos on English Campus, where you can not only improve your English but also learn about their life attitudes!