HONOURING WOMEN IN MATHEMATICS AT UBC
Interntional Women’s Day provides an opportunity to celebrate the contributions and achievements of women. Throughout the month of March we have invited a few of the women from our department to share their personal reflections on how their experiences as a woman has influenced their mathematical journeys.
Stephanie Van Willigenburg
Professor of Mathematics Associate Dean: Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Science University of British Columbia
What are some things you do in your job?
Solving unsolved math problems! This involves drawing examples by hand and generating data by computer, spotting patterns and then using proofs to explain the patterns. It is an adventure where you have no idea where or if you will arrive. Right now, I am looking at networks and ways to encode them so we can tell when two networks are identical, and what other features we can read from the encoding.
What do you like about your job?
I love being a mathematician! Math is an art, language and a science, and in my area, once a problem is solved it stays solved forever. No-one is going to find a better bound, or piece of data. Even more than that, mentoring students and training the next generation of mathematicians is what I love the most.
What are the challenges of being a woman in mathematics?
One major challenge is not being taken seriously as a mathematician. I was once told that I shouldn't become a mathematician because women's brains "aren't wired that way". A second challenge is I didn't see anyone like me in terms of interests (or looks!), so I felt that I didn't belong. However my mentor at Cornell was fantastic - he took me seriously and hence gave me a sense of belonging. These memories, and the people I met later, both at UBC and in my research area, who took me seriously and are similar to me, continue to keep me strong whenever I am not taken seriously or am made to feel like I don't belong. A third challenge is that while it is great that people want more representation of minorities on committees, if you are the minority then that is a lot of extra work for you! This cuts down down on the time I can spend with my students and research, so ultimately I feel we are disadvantaging the very minorities we are trying to help.
How has being a woman impacted your journey or research in mathematics?
My experiences propelled me to help the next generation, so they don't have to have these experiences. For example, I co-founded the Research Community in Algebraic Combinatorics (my research area). It is geared towards underrepresented groups, where we support each other through mentorship, networking, and research projects led by leaders of the field who are also from underrepresented groups. This gives the next generation a chance to connect with others like them, while advancing their research. I benefited too, because I have now collaborated with many amazing and inspiring women who shaped who I am as a mathematician, a person, and the direction my research took.
What advice would you give to female-identified/femme-identified students who wish to pursue a degree or career in mathematics?
Do what you love and work hard at it; look after your health - math is easier if you eat, sleep well and take breaks; and find a mentor or group who take you seriously and give you a sense of belonging to help you flourish!
Lindsey Daniels
Assistant Professor of teaching in the department of math at UBC
What are some things you do in your job?
One key aspect is teaching. I teach in the integrated programs (Science One and Mech 2), as well as mathematical modelling, so I do spend a bit of time in the classroom each week. I also work on research problems related to math education and teaching, where I am interested in how to leverage computational strategies in large-enrolment courses to better support students and learning.
What do you like about your job?
I love being able to regularly discuss mathematical ideas and topics! I learn a lot from talking math with students and faculty about new ways to tackle a mathematical idea or a new perspective on a topic. The conversations I have with the members of the math community are the best part of my job.
What are the challenges of being a woman in mathematics?
It can certainly be challenging. The lack of diverse representation in mathematics can make math a difficult field to approach. There are gender stereotypes and biases that still persist today, but awareness of these important issues has steadily increased in recent years, as has the number of women in math. There are also more events to support women in math, as well as networking and mentorship opportunities that did not exist previously for women and underrepresented groups in math.
How has being a woman impacted your journey or research in mathematics?
During high school, I was the only female student writing math contests at my school, and one of a handful of women in my undergraduate and graduate math classes. It was sometimes intimidating to know that I may be the only woman in the room. For me, visibility and creating opportunities for female-identifying persons in math is important. During graduate school, my postdoc, and now here at UBC, I have frequently participated in women in math initiatives to provide career development, mentorship, and networking opportunities for women in math.
What advice would you give to female-identified/femme-identified students who wish to pursue a degree or career in mathematics?
There is a wonderful community of women in math who are incredibly supportive and encouraging, and who would love to see more female-identifying students in math. Go for it! You can do it!
ALEXIA YAVICOLI
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR IN THE DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS AT UBC
What are the challenges of being a woman in mathematics?
Having to deal with sexism: noticing that men get better opportunities, grants, many more citations than women.
How has being a woman impacted your journey or research in mathematics?
I find more difficult finding people to interact and work with, compared to men.
What advice would you give to female-identified/femme-identified students who wish to pursue a degree or career in mathematics?
Be resilient and never forget the love you feel for mathematics. Also, try to find female-identifying researchers as advisors.