I was going for tongue in cheek, but even I find this a bit abrasive . Here’s some context on why I was so excited to see 75% of grants in Neuro going to female PIs yesterday, and why it is thanks to the men, women and Irish institutions that made it happen. 1/8 https://twitter.com/clairegillanTCD/status/1323283834826334210

In 2018, one of the main funding bodies, @scienceirel, published some stats that were shocking to me. Just 25% of grant applications came from women. When women did apply, they asked for waaayyy less (about half of when men asked for!). 2/8

Men and women both made noise, within and outside @scienceirel, and they decided to tackle it. If there was a tie in scores after review, SFI advertised that this time, the tie would go to the woman 3/8

They came up with an “emerging investigator” category that allowed women (and men) who had statutory leave (eg maternity leave) that might have hurt their record to favour the PROJECT in the scoring over the PERSON. 4/8

Yesterday it was announced that 45% of grants went to women PIs. And that in neuro, the number was 75%! As one of the many #WomenInSTEM balancing work and babies, I feel so supported. There are many issues still to solve, but today, I feel very welcome in STEM in Ireland . 5/8

Did women feel more likely to succeed given the new rules, and so applied in greater numbers? Did the ties really go to women? Did the emerging investigator route work? Looking forward to seeing the full report and how we can take this energy to other areas like #BlackInNeuro 6/8

Personal shout out to my main male ally @AntMAnderson - who went down to a 4 days work-week so I could keep my lab running during maternity leave (and only has a twitter account to like and retweet my tweets, even when they are in poor taste). 7/8

Finally, I know grant submissions are a total crap shoot and it sucks for those who missed out this time. My folder of failed grants is thick; I feel your pain and wasn't meaning to gloat. Just happy for #WomenInSTEM 8/8