Patricia Whitelock
Patricia Ann Whitelock (born 22 February 1951) is a British-born astrophysicist with dual British-South African nationality. She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of South Africa (of which she was Vice-President in 2002); a member of the Academy of Science of South Africa; and a member of the South African Institute of Physics (SAIP), (of which she was President in 2001-2003).
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Quotes
[edit]- Astronomy has to be your life, not just your job, or you are unlikely to do well or be happy. If you are going to get married…then you must find a partner who is a true partner, because it is impossible to do everything yourself.
Dialogue with Patricia Ann Whitelock
[edit]Conversation with Patricia Ann Whitelock
- It is 33 years since I got my PhD.
- I am currently Head of the Astronomy Division and I was Acting Director for about 18 months following the death of the Director.
- I have also been President of the South African Institute of Physics.
- The only woman and only astronomer to hold that position.
I first arrived at SAAO 30 years ago, my senior colleagues have generally been very supportive.
- What is clear in South Africa is that many things were strongly biased against women prior to our first democratic election in 1994.
- That bias has been more or less eliminated since.
- That is not to say that women occupy 50% of top posts, but there are at least some women in top posts and the profile of the workforce is gradually changing.
- The legislation that was put in place to try and remove racial discrimination.
- Is also dealing with other types of discrimination but it will take time.
- The racial imbalance in the workforce remains the major problem.
- At SAAO there are a few women in scientific posts.
- All in senior engineering or IT posts. Of the 25 astronomers on the SAAO staff, 5 are women only one of them born in South Africa.
- Of the 5 astronomers on the Executive Committee, I am the only woman.
- 8 or 9 hours now, but I used to do 10 to 12 when I did more research.
- I have a husband, John Menzies, who is also an astronomer and who has always been very supportive.
- I do not have children, and am immensely impressed by women who do and also manage to be successful astronomers.
- Less bureaucracy would help in almost every single way.
- As far as my career is concerned I am sure I have got where I am going.
- It is well worth it, but astronomy has to be your life, not just your job, or you are unlikely to do well or be happy.
- If you are going to get married and or have children then you must find a partner who is a true partner.
- It is impossible to do everything yourself.
