![]() |
Hanging out with Al. |
Karyn previously
taught physics at the high school, undergraduate and graduate levels. As a
teacher, she sought to connect the science of the curriculum with the everyday
life of her students and to instill lifelong skills for learning. Karyn
completed graduate work at the University of Virginia and also studied at the
University of Stellenbosch (South Africa). She has trained physics teachers
through the University of Virginia’s Physics department and traveled to South
Sudan to conduct professional development training for local teachers. She has
more than 10 years of experience developing and teaching online courses.
In addition to
her science work, Karyn maintains a freelance graphic design studio. Her latest
project was a work on Ancient Near Eastern royal inscriptions.
DXS: First, can you give me a quick overview of what your scientific background is and your current connection to science?
![]() |
Karyn enjoys creating art with...LEGOS! |
Although I attended excellent public schools, I had to overcome some
significant challenges. Our family was one of the only ones in our town
designated as eligible for the new free lunch program, and I started high
school when Title IX was passed (go ahead, do the math). This was an exciting
time for girls in school--but not just for sports (our legacy to our 8th
grade class was a change in our public (!) school policy to allow girls to wear
jeans).
I was thrilled to be the one of two females on our Math League squad and
to have access to advanced science courses and labs in high school. It seems I
always took a circuitous route though. I helped change the rules so that I
could graduate in 3 years. I was very fortunate to have lots of opportunities
after graduation (including being recruited for the first female class at West
Point). But then, I took on other responsibilities and went back to school
later to finish my degrees.

Currently, I am the Executive Director of ScienceOnline, a non-profit
organization that facilitates discussion about science through online networks
and face-to-face events. We welcome all to the conversation – scientists,
journalists, librarians, educators, students, and anyone interested in engaging
in science. Four words that help to define ScienceOnline are: Connections,
conversations, collaborations, and community. We also develop projects that
work to connect scientists and their research to the public. I'm thrilled to be
representing this thriving community, and I enjoy working with so many
talented, brilliant, and fun people.
![]() |
Karyn has traveled to South Sudan to conduct professional development training for local teachers. |
I have an insatiable thirst to learn and try new things, which has
resulted in a string of very diverse jobs. Over the years my creative
activities (and jobs) have included medieval calligraphy, art, photography,
mathematics (I count this as creative), LEGO creations, graphic design, garment
creation, gardening, construction projects, violin/guitar (as musician and also
instructor), studying ancient languages and writing systems (both real and
created).

DXS: Do you find
that your scientific background informs your creativity, even though what you
do may not specifically be scientific?

DXS: Have you
encountered situations in which your expression of yourself outside the bounds
of science has led to people viewing you differently--either more positively or
more negatively?


I think there is a geek aspect to many of the things I like to do. They
don’t completely overlap with the same brand of geekiness though. It’s just
that you align yourself with a community that is very engaged in a certain
niche. A tribe if you will. Some of these tribes don’t understand each other
very well, so I sometimes feel like an ambassador of the various communities I
am a member of.
DXS: Have you
found that your non-science expression of creativity/activity/etc. has in any
way informed your understanding of science or how you may talk about it or
present it to others?
![]() |
Karyn collecting water samples in Molokai, Hawaii |
DXS: How
comfortable are you expressing your femininity and in what ways? How does this
expression influence people’s perception of you in, say, a scientifically
oriented context?
I really tried to think about this carefully. In the physics department
at the university where I worked, my main concern was not the fact that I was
in the minority (or that there were more men’s rooms in the building), but that
the lab was freezing and I needed to keep warmer layers at work to survive!
Basically, the lab protocols determined what kind of clothing and shoes I could
wear, how I kept my hair (out of the way!) etc. I never felt those things were
anything particularly against being feminine, but I didn’t go out of my way to
wear makeup or dress special.

Probably the most feminine thing I’ve ever done was to have children and
show my priority for them (I realize that there are fathers who do this too, so
it may be more a parent thing than a feminine thing, but in the society I live
in, it is still the mothers who bear the lion’s share of the responsibility for
child-rearing). I had colleagues who could not understand some choices I made
because of family. They felt I was wasting my potential (whatever that means!).
Now that I am not in a lab and don’t have small children at home, I
alternate between tomboy and professional attire. I do like that it is easier
to create a more feminine professional wardrobe these days.
I find it odd that women are complimented for their appearance more than
men. I don’t think people realize how out-of-balance this is. I try to notice
and mention men’s clothing and appearance as a small step toward equalizing
that.
DXS: Do you think
that the combination of your non-science creativity and scientific-related
activity shifts people’s perspectives or ideas about what a scientist or
science communicator is? If you’re aware of such an influence, in what way, if
any, do you use it to (for example) reach a different corner of your audience
or present science in a different sort of way?

The manner in which I communicate makes all the difference in how the
person will engage the topic. To do this, I need to listen first and understand
who my audience is. Using creativity, I will then try to connect with each
person or audience in a way that I hope will best bring them along the journey
I have experienced. Some people will want to know more specific details, others
will want to know how it affects their lives, and still others will challenge
and question my thoughts and methods.
Using visual arts (e.g. fine arts, video, etc) can be as important as a
data chart. As long as the conversation continues, then I have been successful
in communicating. My goal is to make someone (whether a researcher or a
teenager) so interested that they will take on a search for more information on
their own. That’s really how we learn and retain best—to explore something we
have invested our own time in.
I also use a variety of outlets for communication. There are definitely
important and different roles for journals, conference presentations, Twitter,
blogs, Google+, etc. These diverse outlets are just as important as creative
ways of presenting material. Again, you must always be aware of your audience.
I would use a museum’s Twitter account to communicate differently than I would my regular account.
DXS: If you had
something you could say to the younger you about the role of expression and
creativity in your chosen career path, what would you say?

So, I would tell the younger me not to try to keep creative interests
and career objectives separate or think that they have to be at odds with each
other. They don’t need to be in competition for your attention. Creativity, job
skills, life experiences, and responsibilities can interweave. You will not
only be more content, but probably more productive in all your endeavors.
I would also tell her that “no” is not a dirty word and that it is ok to
be selective in how you spend your time.
This is a great interview but it was ruined by one question (or the manner in which it was phrased). Did you have to ask the question "How comfortable are you expressing your femininity...?
ReplyDeleteReally, you wouldn't as a male scientist "How comfortable are you expressing your masculinity"
Exactly. Because male scientists probably don't feel a whole lot of discomfort expressing their masculinity in what has historically been a "masculine" environment, so that's not been much of a focus of controversy or discussion. But a big point of discussion among women in science has been this expression of femininity, whether or not it is "OK," how people respond to it, and the level of comfort involved in expressing it. Indeed, that discussion is one of the primary triggers for this interview series.
ReplyDeleteI enthusiastically agree with Emily. I think that we do a disservice to women in science by making the assumption that men and women are the same. Masculinity has never been an issue, but femininity has. While the quality of work is independent of gender, the perception of that quality of work is sometimes influenced by whether or not the person being evaluated is a man or a woman. That is the unfortunate fact.
ReplyDeleteAs Emily mentioned, the purpose of this series is to encourage women to express their femininity in whatever way they choose, and that expression should not be hindered by the viewpoints of others. Here, we are trying to provide examples of strong women who are leading the way in this respect, largely because they are true to themselves.