Plugging the Leak: Empowering Women in Organic Chemistry

Abstract

Held June 24–25, 2021, the third annual Empowering Women in Organic Chemistry (EWOC) conference gathered organic chemists at all stages of the career pipeline for rich professional development opportunities and a showcase of recent scientific achievements. This Meeting Review outlines the program.

Should You Start a Chemistry Podcast?

“…For Pharm-to-Table, the gender metrics reflect 72% male and 26% female (2% unspecified), close to the distribution one would expect for practicing synthetic organic chemists in this age group (Figure 3). 13 The Synthesis Workshop podcast so far has gained more than 280,000 views with about 17,000 h of watch time according to data from YouTube. Averaged over the full length of the initiative, the audience is 90% male and 10% female.…”

“…According to the available data from our podcasting platforms and casual encounters, 12 it is evident that both Pharm-to- 4). 13 The Synthesis Workshop podcast so far has gained more than 280,000 views with about 17,000 h of watch time according to data from YouTube. Averaged over the full length of the initiative, the audience is 90% male and 10% female.…”

Empowering Women in Organic Chemistry (EWOC) at Five Years: Giving Back and Getting Back

“…Finally, social media messaging encouraged active inclusion for all genders. From a data standpoint, 16% of registrants for the 2021 EWOC meeting checked the box for using he/him pronouns . While it is seemingly impossible to identify a target percentage for men at EWOC meetings, we ask that any men reading this article take the message to heart of the value of their attendance and answer the clarion call not just to show up but also to be an active participant at a future EWOC conference.…”

“…From a data standpoint, 16% of registrants for the 2021 EWOC meeting checked the box for using he/him pronouns. 16 While it is seemingly impossible to identify a target percentage for men at EWOC meetings, we ask that any men reading this article take the message to heart of the value of their attendance and answer the clarion call not just to show up but also to be an active participant at a future EWOC conference. Furthermore, as an organization that aims to be inclusive, we also invite attendees who are nonbinary, recognizing that women are not the only gender minority in organic chemistry and that we are all hoping to learn from and support our nonbinary colleagues.…”