Chemical Engineering May 2012 - 8

Bookshelf
Breaking into the Lab: Engineering Progress
for Women in Science. By Sue V. Rosser.
New York University Press. Washington
Square, New York, NY 10003. Web:
nyupress.org. 2012. 249 pages. $35.00.
African American Women Chemists. By
Jeannette Brown. Oxford University Press
Inc., 198 Madison Ave., New York, NY
100016 Web: oup.com. 2011. 264 pages.
$35.00.
Reviewed by Lacey Baggett,
PX2 TAR Superintendent,
BP Corp., Houston
Over 50 years of
experience
The Larox®
solid liquid
separation equipment
is now available
from Outotec.
he challenges faced by female scientists and engineers
are highlighted in two books with wide-ranging
implications for many industries. Jeannette Brown's
book follows the careers and lives of African-American
women who have left lasting impacts in science, engineering
and education since the mid-1800s. Highlighting both
professional and personal struggles, the book is equal parts
scientific history and inspirational biography. Each narrative
shows how - and perhaps more importantly, why -
these women were able to overcome seemingly insurmountable
challenges to produce lasting contributions.
Sue Rosser's book focuses on the current scarcity of
female scientists in senior-level academic positions. This
data-driven text explores the issues, and leads to a discussion
of the impact of these trends on science, the economy,
and on women seeking to pursue science careers. The book
culminates in a series of suggestions to help turn the tide.
While the author may limit her potential audience by
making broad generalizations about both sexes and leaning
to the side of feminism, she is still able to convey her
fundamental concepts to a broad population. Detailed
studies discussed by the author provide the foundation,
leading the reader away from sociological theories and
instead focusing on institutional practices that have a
greater impact on the development and direction of a
female scientist's career. The issues of junior- and seniorlevel
women are contrasted throughout. This technique
highlights progress to-date, while focusing on what more
can be done to ensure continued improvement - so that
the scientific community seizes the opportunity to take
advantage of the considerable contributions of professional
women scientists and engineers.
www.outotec.com
8 CHEMICAL ENGINEERING WWW.CHE.COM MAY 2012
Circle 31 on p. 61 or go to adlinks.che.com/40267-31
Interviews with successful women provide insight into
several key areas: career-path opportunities; overcoming
common pitfalls of a scientific career; and the pros and
cons of a personal and professional life in science. Many
issues addressed - including the struggles of creating an
acceptable work-life balance - are applicable to all.
One prominent theme in both books is the impact of
mentoring - both to help women enter scientific fields,
and also to retain and promote them once they pursue
science. A key premise for the book appears to be ensuring
that mentors understand the experiences encountered
T
http://www.nyupress.org http://www.oup.com http://www.outotec.com http://adlinks.che.com/40267-31 http://WWW.CHE.COM
Chemical Engineering May 2012

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Chemical Engineering May 2012
