Expertise Is Not Just A Man In A Suit Anymore

What is it like to be a female historian in the 21st century? Ellie cawthorne spoke to four leading academics about internet trolls, juggling work and family, and their plans to shake up the study of history.

- Ellie Cawthorne

What do you think are the main challenges facing women working in academic and popular history in 2017?

Janina Ramirez: I think that many of the challenges are the same as they’ve always been. I’m a mother and that’s had a huge impact on the amount of time I can work, and how much I can justify being away on big projects. But I think that things are changing. Social media also really helps – you can reach out and talk to people directly, even if you’re changing nappies or loading the dishwasher.

Joann Fletcher: I totally agree – it’s a constant juggling act. When my daughter was young it was a real struggle to do the TV work, the media, the museum work and write books. But you had to do all of that if you wanted to progress. I think that there’s still an idea that women should be able to do it all, but it’s just not a level playing field.

Fern Riddell: If you look at a male peer, a male academic in the same position, it’s not necessarily that things come easier to them, but there doesn’t seem to be the same pressure to show that you can do absolutely everything in order to be taken seriously.

Anna Whitelock: Yes, young female academics now really are all-singing and all-dancing. But I think women in these positions also have a responsibility to be honest about their frailties. It’s important to realise that you don’t have to be perfect.

And what are the particular challenges facing female historians on TV?