More assertion at work
In the Faculty where I do most of my paid work, there are moves afoot to decrease hugely the amount of social space. People use that space to have lunch, coffee, informal meetings and so on. I've just signed a petition to save our space. Here's what I wrote in the 'comments' box.
'Social space is essential for any science institution. Most of the important work is done there, as Rosalind Franklin noted when she was excluded from her Senior Common Room due to her gender.
'We're free from that sexism now but there's another issue which happens to affect me: accessibility for disabled people. When a social space is suitable for wheelchairs, and when it's close to an accessible toilet, I can and do make my contribution as a scientist in this Faculty. As well as the great Franklin, I count Stephen Hawking as a role model. Please allow me social spaces to be a scientist.'
'Social space is essential for any science institution. Most of the important work is done there, as Rosalind Franklin noted when she was excluded from her Senior Common Room due to her gender.
'We're free from that sexism now but there's another issue which happens to affect me: accessibility for disabled people. When a social space is suitable for wheelchairs, and when it's close to an accessible toilet, I can and do make my contribution as a scientist in this Faculty. As well as the great Franklin, I count Stephen Hawking as a role model. Please allow me social spaces to be a scientist.'