To remove these remaining final obstacles, I believe we all need to understand why having women and men working together as equal partners is good both for science and for society at large. Science is an interrogation of nature that is bound by the disciplines of scientific inquiry and evidence. But long ago, I learned that nature responds to a scientist according to the way the question is asked. Different scientists, with different needs and interests, values and experiences, will select problems and ask questions in different ways. Different questions will entice more useful information from nature.
Good science is promoted by different approaches to a problem.
Diverse scientists are also needed to decide what, how, and where science is done if its products are to meet the needs of a diverse population. Finally, if we want diverse voices and talents doing science, we need diverse people choosing the participants. Scientists, directly and indirectly, choose their successors. Diversity in perspective, belief, and bias is not only good for science, it is also essential to our society's successful future. With this conviction, my colleagues and I are developing a new program in science, society, and gender at the Radcliffe Public Policy Center.