Speaking about men's and women's brains

Anyone in Leeds in June? I am honoured to be speaking, at the birthplace of Cafe Scientique, about my favourite subject. Come along for what I'm sure will be a lively debate.
Leeds Cafe Scientifique
12th June, 8pm
Dr Laura Nelson: How different are men's and women's brains?

Yorkshire Evening Post

Do boys and girls, and men and women, think and behave differently or is this a false assumption? Set aside your prejudices and prepare for controversy as Dr Laura Nelson dissects the landscape in the science underlying the gender debate and explains why it matters to society.

Laura Nelson studied at the University of Cambridge and has a doctorate in neuroscience. Now a writer and campaigner, she writes the political blog Delilah. In December 2011, she ran the Hamleys campaign which resulted in the world famous toyshop's gender signs being replaced by toy category signs and caused a media storm - it was covered in most of the national newspapers, radio, TV and media across the world and triggered debates for weeks. So why was there so much media attention?

Speaking at a panel event (19 June): science and stereotypes

There aren't enough women in science and engineering, and the attrition rate is high. Why does this matter? And what are the reasons for the gaping gap and what can we do to address them? In this Fabian Women's Network event, I am speaking alongside experts in a panel - dissecting the factors and offering ideas of ways to tap the potential of individuals in an unequal world.

Time to release the UK’s potential energy

What the UK has to gain by boosting women’s presence in science and innovation (and what we can do to achieve it)

19 June 2012
5.30 – 7pm
Committee Room 9
Portcullis House (Entrance: Cromwell Green)

Featuring: Chi Onwurah MP (Shadow Minister for Innovation)
Dr Laura Nelson (writer, campaigner, social entrepreneur)
Professor Athene Donald (Professor of Experimental Physics at the University of Cambridge)
Paul Jackson (Chief Executive, Engineering UK)
Chair: Ivana Bartoletti (Editor of Fabiana, former policy adviser, Romano Prodi government)

RSVP: fabianwomen@fabian-society.org.uk

Hamleys campaign in a poem

April was National Poetry Writing Month. Each and every day, my poet friend Athos Athanasiou wrote a poem. In his final poem, 'The Ballad of Many', he tells a familiar story. A toy shop grand? Pretermined roles? Could this be the Hamleys campaign?

The Ballad of Many

When her Olympic tickets came,
after a twelve month gap,
she found her baby's not allowed
to sit upon her lap.

And so she wrote a stern reply
with strongly worded tone.
That at the time of ticket sale,
said baby was not known.

And lo behold they changed their tune
conceding she was right.
And what this incident has shown
is pens still have their might.

Another at a toy shop grand
had found the floors divided,
on some idea of gender lines.
It felt a bit one sided.

The boys' toys were all action men
the girls had pretty dolls.
It was quite limiting that these
were predetermined roles.

And so she launched a pronged campaign
with notes to press and stores.
Then got a call to hear the shop
had rearranged their floors.

To dance upon a raging bull
with studied balanced stance.
Your voice is heard a hundred times
from many throats at once.

So use your pen as you see fit
it really has a force.
To change this world a little bit
and that's a lot of course.

The Olympic campaign also refers to a true incident (not my campaign). Read this article.

Athos also wrote an article for The Huffington Post about his endeavours.