CORRESPONDENCE

摘要

The reasons women drop out of science are complex, and Timothy Roper and Larissa Conradt have hit on an important factor in their Correspondence 'Childcare not enough to make a science career family-friendly' (Nature 455,1029; 2008). However, I don't see encouraging more women into science as either pointless or unethical. Careers in science can offer enormous rewards to women. Moving into an academic environment has provided great opportunities for me as a mother, owing to its flexibility. I am now measured largely on my productivity, and my ability to multitask - honed by motherhood - is an asset as I juggle research, administrative duties and teaching.