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STEM Women in Pop Culture


Written By: Ashlee Yeong-Chua (Guest Writer)


Women in STEM are underrepresented by movies and TV series, which often makes you feel like you can only count the number of fictional female characters that are under STEM on one hand– which, unfortunately, isn’t much of an understatement. 


For a long time, there has always been an underlying bias that associates such paths with men, not just in media but also in today’s society. However, that doesn’t mean women have absolute zero representation in pop culture. Today, we’ll be going down a short (unfortunately) list of some famous fictional STEM women characters and their impact on viewers. 



To start off we can’t not mention Dr. Dana Scully, an FBI agent and medical doctor from the TV series The X-Files. A skeptic and realistic yet intelligent and independent woman, Scully has been immensely popular ever since the series first aired in 1993. Known as probably the only character representative of women in STEM during that period, she is applauded for demonstrating resilience and confidence in working in a male-dominated field and is often cited as one of the most iconic and memorable women in television because of this. 


Her character has made a huge impact on the series’ female audience, giving rise to what is now known as the “Scully Effect”. Research shows that those who watched the show are more likely to express an interest in the STEM route, with Scully serving as their main source of inspiration. Not only that, but Scully’s character instilled reassurance into the majority of these women that they can succeed in such a field. Many women in general view Scully as a role model, not just for being a strong female character, but also because of her depth and complexity that make her human. 



We also have Shuri from the MCU. Having debuted in the 2018 film Black Panther, Shuri skyrocketed to popularity not just for her innovative capabilities and exceptional intelligence, but also for her witty disposition. The princess of Wakanda, Shuri, is responsible for creating and designing the country’s technology with the use of vibranium. A bright scientist whose internal struggles with the loss of her brother and her reluctance to take on the mantle of Black Panther make Shuri a relatable and empathetic character.


Shuri’s iconic one-lines, paired with her astute mind, have helped her become a recognizable character in the franchise, and one that many young Black young girls can look up to and aspire to be like. Her character’s presence is a constant reminder that anyone can excel in the STEM field, and she provides representation that has been lacking in the mainstream media. 


Now, would it be odd to slide Doctor McStuffins, a children’s character, into this list? I think not! She’s the title character of the Disney Junior show of the same name and is claimed by many viewers of all ages to be a source of inspiration for young girls. The show garnered positive reception not just for demystifying doctors (as many young kids are intimidated by them), but also for using a Black girl as the titular character in a series that touches upon healthcare and a proactive, healthy lifestyle. 


Despite being a show aimed at little children, Doctor McStuffins had a huge impact on numerous older women of color due to its constant reminder that anyone, regardless of race or gender, can become a doctor. An organization called the Artemis Medical Society was even formed after the show debuted, dedicated to creating a supportive, safe space for aspiring women physicians of color. Fascinating, right? 


Of course, these women aren’t the only ones who represent women in STEM. Alongside Shuri from the MCU, we also have Jane Foster, best known as Thor’s love interest before eventually becoming the Mighty Thor. She’s an excellent representation of a woman pursuing astrophysics, a field that has always had a notorious rep for lacking female membership. 


The good thing is that Jane isn’t the only female astrophysicist shown in mainstream media. Take Hidden Figures, for instance, an empowering film that centers on three Black women – Katherine, Dorothy, and Mary – who are mathematicians at NASA having to navigate daily sexism and racism every day. What makes this movie even more impactful is that it is based on real-life people and events. By highlighting the contributions these women made to NASA, it reinforces the reminder that through perseverance and tenacity, anyone can succeed despite societal barriers. 


Mainstream media is often heavily criticized for underrepresenting female STEM characters, as it reinforces the outdated stereotype that these fields are male-only. However, we can see from the examples mentioned previously that normalizing female characters who work in the same field plays a vital part in not just inspiring the next generation of women to consider a career in STEM but also shaping an audience’s perspective in understanding that a person should never be limited by their gender. 


It really does seem like mainstream media in general have a lot to catch up on (we’re looking at you, Hollywood!), but for now, let’s celebrate revolutionary films like Hidden Figures and continue to defy the odds together.


Citations 

Graff, D. (2017, February). Work of Art: “Context is Everything: Why the Film Hidden Figures Feels Not Just Good but Necessary”. Institute for Social Concerns. Retrieved from https://socialconcerns.nd.edu/work-art-context-everything-why-film-hidden-figures-feels-not-just-good-necessary/


(n.d.). The Scully Effect: I Want to Believe in STEM. Geena Davis Institute. Retrieved from https://geenadavisinstitute.org/research/the-scully-effect-i-want-to-believe-in-stem/


(2014, September 22). The Power of Doc McStuffins. Artemis Medical Society. Retrieved from 


Willard, L. (2015, May 27). Parents have spent hundreds of millions of dollars on Doc McStuffins toys. Here’s why they’re glad. Upworthy. Retrieved from


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