Name: Dr. Alison Wood
College Majors: Dramatic literature, civil engineering, & environmental engineering Profession: Environmental engineering professor at Olin College of Engineering Advice: Build a strong support system of women engineers, have family and friends to lean on, & pursue other interests in addition to engineering. |
Dr. Alison Wood's Story
Dr. Alison Wood is an environmental engineering professor at Olin College of Engineering. A lot of her work involves teaching students about sustainability and smart decision making. She loves teaching because it gives her the opportunity to have meaningful conversations with students, help them learn about different perspectives, discuss sustainable practices, reflect upon their work, and grow as individuals.
Dr. Wood did not always know she wanted to pursue engineering. She first entered college as a physics major, but then graduated with a bachelor’s degree in dramatic literature. She enjoyed working in theatre and the music business, but eventually decided to return to school to study engineering. She earned a bachelor’s degree in civil and environmental engineering, a master’s degree in environmental engineering, and a Ph.D. in civil engineering.
In grade school, Dr. Wood had a strong interest in math and science. She is grateful to have had supportive teachers and family who encouraged her to pursue her interests. As she got older, she started to find more challenges around being a woman in engineering. She recalls one time when she was giving a presentation at a small conference. A man in the audience asked a question to a male presenter and addressed him as “Doctor.” However, when the same man asked her a question, he addressed her as “Ms. Wood” instead of as “Dr. Wood.” This is one example of some of the subtle biases women may be presented with. It shows how some people have the perception that women aren’t as qualified, aren’t as credentialed, and shouldn’t receive the respect that they deserve. Dr. Wood mentioned that as women, even if it’s not clear to our male colleagues, we notice the subtle ways in which we are treated differently.
Dr. Wood mentioned that not even 50 years ago, a woman may have been the only female student or the only female professor at a large college university. Currently, more women are starting to enter the engineering field. There have also been more conversations about the challenges women face. The fact that these issues are becoming more visible, and that more men believe this is important, shows that we are taking the right steps forward. There has also been the development of more supportive spaces for women engineers. While progress has been made, a lot more still needs to be done.
Dr. Wood acknowledges that a lot of the problems we need to address are cultural. There are cultural approaches and ways of behaving that tend to be more male-oriented versus more female-oriented. For example, there is talk about male styles of leadership versus female styles of leadership. Research has shown that there is a tendency to teach boys to believe that they can always do better. Conversely, there’s a tendency to teach girls that they can’t. Girls need to be equally encouraged to do math and science in grade school. Furthermore, we need to change the perception of engineering. Many people are unaware of what the work involves and the ways engineers help the public. Helping people better understand what the engineering field entails will result in more women becoming engineers. In schools and in workplaces, we need to make women feel welcome and believe that they can grow as individuals and engineers. We need a growth mindset instead of a fixed mindset.
Dr. Wood’s advice is to build a strong support system made up of other women engineers. Studies have shown that doing so is an indicator of success for women. It’s important to have relationships with people who understand what it’s like being a woman in this profession; it makes a big difference when confronted with difficult challenges. Your friends and family will remind you that you’re good enough, smart enough, strong enough, and that your work is worthwhile. She also encourages engineers to pursue other interests in addition to engineering. Doing so will be fulfilling and also make you a better engineer. She states that with every generation, we are starting to take the right steps forwards in improving the representation and support for women engineers.
Dr. Wood did not always know she wanted to pursue engineering. She first entered college as a physics major, but then graduated with a bachelor’s degree in dramatic literature. She enjoyed working in theatre and the music business, but eventually decided to return to school to study engineering. She earned a bachelor’s degree in civil and environmental engineering, a master’s degree in environmental engineering, and a Ph.D. in civil engineering.
In grade school, Dr. Wood had a strong interest in math and science. She is grateful to have had supportive teachers and family who encouraged her to pursue her interests. As she got older, she started to find more challenges around being a woman in engineering. She recalls one time when she was giving a presentation at a small conference. A man in the audience asked a question to a male presenter and addressed him as “Doctor.” However, when the same man asked her a question, he addressed her as “Ms. Wood” instead of as “Dr. Wood.” This is one example of some of the subtle biases women may be presented with. It shows how some people have the perception that women aren’t as qualified, aren’t as credentialed, and shouldn’t receive the respect that they deserve. Dr. Wood mentioned that as women, even if it’s not clear to our male colleagues, we notice the subtle ways in which we are treated differently.
Dr. Wood mentioned that not even 50 years ago, a woman may have been the only female student or the only female professor at a large college university. Currently, more women are starting to enter the engineering field. There have also been more conversations about the challenges women face. The fact that these issues are becoming more visible, and that more men believe this is important, shows that we are taking the right steps forward. There has also been the development of more supportive spaces for women engineers. While progress has been made, a lot more still needs to be done.
Dr. Wood acknowledges that a lot of the problems we need to address are cultural. There are cultural approaches and ways of behaving that tend to be more male-oriented versus more female-oriented. For example, there is talk about male styles of leadership versus female styles of leadership. Research has shown that there is a tendency to teach boys to believe that they can always do better. Conversely, there’s a tendency to teach girls that they can’t. Girls need to be equally encouraged to do math and science in grade school. Furthermore, we need to change the perception of engineering. Many people are unaware of what the work involves and the ways engineers help the public. Helping people better understand what the engineering field entails will result in more women becoming engineers. In schools and in workplaces, we need to make women feel welcome and believe that they can grow as individuals and engineers. We need a growth mindset instead of a fixed mindset.
Dr. Wood’s advice is to build a strong support system made up of other women engineers. Studies have shown that doing so is an indicator of success for women. It’s important to have relationships with people who understand what it’s like being a woman in this profession; it makes a big difference when confronted with difficult challenges. Your friends and family will remind you that you’re good enough, smart enough, strong enough, and that your work is worthwhile. She also encourages engineers to pursue other interests in addition to engineering. Doing so will be fulfilling and also make you a better engineer. She states that with every generation, we are starting to take the right steps forwards in improving the representation and support for women engineers.