Canadian scientists sign statement slamming ‘unsound’ speech on gender issues
Canadian scientists and professors are among hundreds that have signed a statement condemning what they call a “fundamentally unsound” presentation by an Italian physicist on gender issues, and they say they are concerned about prevailing sexism in science.
The statement, posted on the website Particles for Justice, was signed by members of the scientific community from around the world. It said that Alessandro Strumia argued in a recent speech to the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) that in the field of physics, women are less capable than men.
“As particle physicists, we are appalled by Strumia’s actions and his stated views on women in high energy physics,” read the statement, adding that the signatories believe “the science case presented by Strumia was fundamentally unsound.”
CERN, which hosted the seminar “High Energy Theory and Gender” from Sept. 26 to 28, wrote in a statement that it suspended Strumia on Monday because his talk risked “overshadowing” the message of the event, which focused on equal opportunities in physics.