Speaking about men's and women's brains

Anyone in Leeds in June? I am honoured to be speaking, at the birthplace of Cafe Scientique, about my favourite subject. Come along for what I'm sure will be a lively debate.
Leeds Cafe Scientifique
12th June, 8pm
Dr Laura Nelson: How different are men's and women's brains?

Do boys and girls, and men and women, think and behave differently or is this a false assumption? Set aside your prejudices and prepare for controversy as Dr Laura Nelson dissects the landscape in the science underlying the gender debate and explains why it matters to society.

Laura Nelson studied at the University of Cambridge and has a doctorate in neuroscience. Now a writer and campaigner, she writes the political blog Delilah. In December 2011, she ran the Hamleys campaign which resulted in the world famous toyshop's gender signs being replaced by toy category signs and caused a media storm - it was covered in most of the national newspapers, radio, TV and media across the world and triggered debates for weeks. So why was there so much media attention?

Speaking at a panel event (19 June): science and stereotypes

There aren't enough women in science and engineering, and the attrition rate is high. Why does this matter? And what are the reasons for the gaping gap and what can we do to address them? In this Fabian Women's Network event, I am speaking alongside experts in a panel - dissecting the factors and offering ideas of ways to tap the potential of individuals in an unequal world.

Time to release the UK’s potential energy

What the UK has to gain by boosting women’s presence in science and innovation (and what we can do to achieve it)

19 June 2012
5.30 – 7pm
Committee Room 9
Portcullis House (Entrance: Cromwell Green)

Featuring: Chi Onwurah MP (Shadow Minister for Innovation)
Dr Laura Nelson (writer, campaigner, social entrepreneur)
Professor Athene Donald (Professor of Experimental Physics at the University of Cambridge)
Paul Jackson (Chief Executive, Engineering UK)
Chair: Ivana Bartoletti (Editor of Fabiana, former policy adviser, Romano Prodi government)

RSVP: fabianwomen@fabian-society.org.uk

Hamleys campaign in a poem

April was National Poetry Writing Month. Each and every day, my poet friend Athos Athanasiou wrote a poem. In his final poem, 'The Ballad of Many', he tells a familiar story. A toy shop grand? Pretermined roles? Could this be the Hamleys campaign?

The Ballad of Many

When her Olympic tickets came,
after a twelve month gap,
she found her baby's not allowed
to sit upon her lap.

And so she wrote a stern reply
with strongly worded tone.
That at the time of ticket sale,
said baby was not known.

And lo behold they changed their tune
conceding she was right.
And what this incident has shown
is pens still have their might.

Another at a toy shop grand
had found the floors divided,
on some idea of gender lines.
It felt a bit one sided.

The boys' toys were all action men
the girls had pretty dolls.
It was quite limiting that these
were predetermined roles.

And so she launched a pronged campaign
with notes to press and stores.
Then got a call to hear the shop
had rearranged their floors.

To dance upon a raging bull
with studied balanced stance.
Your voice is heard a hundred times
from many throats at once.

So use your pen as you see fit
it really has a force.
To change this world a little bit
and that's a lot of course.

The Olympic campaign also refers to a true incident (not my campaign). Read this article.

Athos also wrote an article for The Huffington Post about his endeavours.

Guest blog: Ditch birthday presents for clean water

Sonia Shah has created an unusual campaign, and wants people to rethink whether they value or care about birthday presents they receive. Here she writes a guest blog calling for people to take action.

Click here for the campaign.

This year I wanted to make my birthday matter. Instead of birthday presents, I've been asking for $10 or more to help raise funds for clean water in developing countries.

In Africa, women and children usually have the hardship of collecting water for miles along dangerous territories and exposing themselves to sexual assault. The hours spent walking to the nearest wells which don’t necessarily hold clean water, means time away from education, work and taking care of their families. The heavy cans hauled over for hours leads to spinal problems.

It’s more fulfilling when all that money wasted on gifts that I don’t really need nor want is put towards a much better purpose. What a relief - no more fake smiles, fake thank yous and "No really, you shouldn't have (and meaning every word of it - the only note of sincerity on my face!). I approached my neighbours whom I’d never met, family, friends, my dentist, my local corner shop owner, a random stranger in the car and even a policeman on the road.

"I've honestly felt this is one of the best birthdays because some people contributed and helped raise these funds. It's horrible what these women and kids have to go through. My friends suggested dinner instead of a gift, but I knew that if i got them to contribute towards the campaign they'd spend more than the birthday dinner, and they did."

I started the first phase of the campaign by putting $360 of my own money.

The second phase, ending 27 June 2012, has just started. I’m inviting everyone to make a significant difference to these women and children and contribute to the campaign here.

The BEST PART:100% of ALL our donations go directly towards water projects and the people really in need and NOT towards the administration and maintenance of the charities. Eighteen months after this campaign ends, charity: water will show us where and how every dollar we raised ended up helping in the field.

Click here for the campaign.

Contact: soniashah@journalist.com, tel: 07515 736 426

To cheer you up

Here's a great photo from a Swedish catalogue that I posted on Delilah's facebook page and has received a large amount of attention. Look closely. It will make you smile. I have already written about Sweden, here and here. They lead the way yet again!

Do little girls play football? Children speak out on gender stereotypes and the Hamleys campaign

Yesterday I had the wonderful opportunity of going into a school classroom and taking part in a discussion on gender stereotypes and the Hamleys campaign I ran at the end of last year.

The brilliant teacher, Laura Kirsop, of Soho Parish School, dedicated a whole morning to a class centred around the campaign, as part of a series of lessons on politics.

I dropped in at the end after the children (year 5, 10 year olds) had discussed the campaign and watched me on CNN being interviewed by the bellicose Richard Quest. They had also put together some surveys to give out to their peers in other classes, quizzing them on their clothes, toys, colour preferences and aspirations, and relating these answers to gender.

After asking me a few questions, which included why I ran the campaign, why I chose Hamleys and what the reactions were, they voiced their own opinions on the subject. Here are some of their comments (not word-for-word):

On toys
Girl: "I wanted a toy helicopter, but there were none in the girls' section. In the girls' section, I was offered nail varnish."
Boy: "There were toy helicopters for girls, but they were all pink. The boys' helicopters are more expensive and have numbers and letters on them. The more numbers written on the side, the more expensive they are."
Girl: "I don't like companies telling me what to do, restricting my choices."
Girl: "When I look at video games online, they are different for boys and girls and that annoys me."
Girl: "When we walk past a building site, we see all men working there. It's because boys are given building bricks as toys and girls are not."

On clothes
Girl: "I get annoyed that when I go into shops, the trousers are pink are frilly."
Girl: "When I looked for T shirts online, they were all pink for girls and I didn't like that."
Boy: "I think clothes should be separated because boys can't wear dresses."

On football
Girl: "When I go to to play football, people assume I'm a boy. This upsets me because the assumption is that girls can't play football."
Boy: "Why can't we see women's football on TV? There are female footballers but why can't we see them?"

On colours
Girl: "I asked my brother what colours he likes. When he included pink, he was teased. Boys are under a lot of pressure too."

Watch out for the next installment - when the results of the children's surveys come back.

A speech: vision to change the world

This is my speech at the Association of Speakers Clubs (Camden Speakers Club) on my vision to change the world. It follows my 'life transforming' experience' at an Andy Harrington event.

(I have a limited number of tickets (at a much reduced price) available to people who want to attend a future Andy Harrington event - please contact me: delilah.mj[at]gmail.com)