It’s all about balance–and in this episode we speak with botanist and writer Erin Zimmerman about choices she made in her new book Unrooted: Botany, Motherhood and the Fight to Save an Old Science. We also talk about the choices she’s made as she balances motherhood and work, being an introvert and finding a writing community, pursuing her passions and finding meaningful ways to recharge. Plus how she was inspired by Charles Darwin’s parenting.
So much of what Erin said resonated with me! Especially the parts about women scientists not being rewarded and leaving the field (I resemble that remark!) and the way basic natural history is not respected and not funded. Thank you for this episode (and the bonus too). In a bit of synchronicity, here's an NYT essay from today by a woman mycologist talking about some of the same things, especially having to choose between fieldwork and motherhood, and how that impoverishes science: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/26/opinion/women-science-motherhood.html?unlocked_article_code=1.nU0.sEOM.Frr8LizPeYGo&smid=url-share
So much of what Erin said resonated with me! Especially the parts about women scientists not being rewarded and leaving the field (I resemble that remark!) and the way basic natural history is not respected and not funded. Thank you for this episode (and the bonus too). In a bit of synchronicity, here's an NYT essay from today by a woman mycologist talking about some of the same things, especially having to choose between fieldwork and motherhood, and how that impoverishes science: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/26/opinion/women-science-motherhood.html?unlocked_article_code=1.nU0.sEOM.Frr8LizPeYGo&smid=url-share