The Gendered Brain

Digital Season | Recorded at All About Women in the Studio 2020

For centuries, science has been trying to prove that men's and women's brains are different. In her myth-smashing book, The Gendered Brain, Professor Gina Rippon dismantles this idea. 

Unpacking the dubious historical science, like 18th century experiments that saw empty skulls measured with bird seed, Rippon shows how early research fueled the persistent myth that female biology is inferior. She presents cutting edge neuroscience to detail how our brains are highly plastic, individualised, adaptable and full of potential. What if our behaviour is linked not to gender, but to life itself, to all we do and experience?   

Hosted by Natasha Mitchell.

Professor Gina Rippon is an international researcher in the field of cognitive neuroscience based at the Aston Brain Centre at Aston University in Birmingham. Her research involves the use of state of the art brain imaging techniques, to investigate developmental disorders such as autism. She is a regular contributor to events such as the British Science Festival, New Scientist Live and the Sceptics in the Pub series. In 2015 she was made an Honorary Fellow of the British Science Association for her contributions to the public communication of science. She is also an advocate for initiatives to help overcome the underrepresentation of women in STEAM subjects. 

Natasha Mitchell is a multi-award winning journalist, presenter and producer with the ABC. She hosts the culture and science show, Science Friction, awarded best science & medicine podcast at the 2019 Australian Podcast Awards. She previously presented flagship programs All in the Mind (2002-2012) and Life Matters (2012-2016) on ABC Radio National. Natasha was vice president of the World Federation of Science Journalists and a recipient of the MIT Knight Fellowship. She's facilitated four science dialogues with the Dalai Lama & guests.

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