Researchers turn into movie makers
The idea materialized one afternoon over drinks at the Faculty Club. What began as a short project for a UT film workshop has since evolved into something much bigger.
Three female chemists who specialize in catalytic processes and materials are about to become catalysts for other women scientists. Dr. Cassia Boyadjian from Lebanon, Dr. Inga Tuzovskaya from Russia, and Elizaveta Vereshchagina, who is also from Russia and a PhD candidate at the UT, have combined their expertise to create a documentary film about women in science.
The documentary will highlight the life of a variety of UT women scientists, focusing on their professional and personal journeys during the pursuit of their scientific careers. ‘Our objective is to show that despite diverse backgrounds and personal interests,’ said Boyadjian, 32, ‘there is one thing that we all share — a full scientific life that includes frustrations and challenges, along with memorable moments and experiences.’
‘We want to address this movie to all women researchers,’ said Tuzovskaya, 32. ‘We are only in the preliminary stages of filming, but we eventually plan to distribute the final version to forums and communities that have an interest in this topic.’
The filmmakers also aim to use their film to advertise the UT research facilities, especially targeting new female PhD candidates who might be interested in joining the strong presence of women researchers at the UT. ‘If the quality is high enough,’ said Boyadjian, ‘we could also show the film at the international documentary film festival in Amsterdam.’
The project started in January and is still under development. To date they have interviewed Dr. Barbara Mojet from the Catalytic Processes and Materials group, Dr. Regina Luttge from the Mesoscale Chemical Systems and Dr. Wietske Bijker from the ITC. ‘What we hope to capture,’ said Boyadjian, ‘is why these women chose science as a career, what obstacles they faced, whether a female scientist differs in methodology from her male colleagues, and how these women managed to balance their personal life with their career.’
Currently, the filmmakers are seeking funding. ‘We do not have any sponsor at the moment,’ said Boyadjian, ‘and we need at least one to fund the rental of equipment.’ They hope to receive some financial support from the Female Faculty Network.
The women filmmakers are a powerhouse of talent and communication skills. Boyadjian has extensive experience in theatre and television. In 2003, she acted in shabab@com, a Jordanian TV youth program on democracy and human rights. Tuzovskaya speaks five languages and loves improvisational theatre. The 26-year-old Vereshchagina is currently completing her research on chemical sensors and hopes to obtain her PhD from the Mesoscale Chemical Systems program by September next year. She is handling the technical aspects of the production.
‘Most women have told us that it is difficult to balance their personal life and science,’ continued Tuzovskaya. ‘Some women, however, were able to have children while they were completing their PhD. One success story is of a scientist who became a professor at a Mexican university. At the same time, she managed to raise her two children who are both about to receive their own doctorate degrees.’
‘With regard to the difference in methodology between male and female scientists,’ Tuzovskaya continued, ‘our interviewees have recognized some features that are more typically female. For example, women researchers tend to communicate more easily with their colleagues.’
‘In fact, studies have shown that women have more neural connections between the left and right parts of their brain, which is correlated with intuition. Are women more intuitive then men? Perhaps. But as one professor we interviewed said, “You need to work hard to obtain the knowledge you need.” Let’s face it. Hard work is not related to being male or female.’
Perhaps the most essential part of the film is the advice from the female scientists who have effectively navigated through what still remains a predominately male world. As Dr. Luttge says in Women in Science, ‘Believe in yourself. Enjoy what you’re doing and listen to what makes you happy.’
The filmmakers invite all potential sponsors and any female Ph.D. candidate who is interested in sharing her experiences to contact Cassia Boyadjian by email, Cassia.Boyadjian@gmail.com.
