Women in Freshwater Science - Invisible Histories?

Abstract

We argue for a history of freshwater science that recognises the scientific achievements of women. In this article we suggest that lack of opportunity for women scientists in the twentieth century is typified by the stereotype that women were naturally predisposed to non-intellectual pursuits and, therefore, ill fitted to science. Freshwater science quite possibly provided a distinctive space for women in science in spite widespread lack of opportunity, yet, many women freshwater scientists have been invisible in terms of their roles and achievements. We conclude that we need a history of the freshwater sciences that corrects such obscurity