Science Stories

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Surprising stories from the history of science told by Naomi Alderman and Philip Ball.

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Science Stories: Sophia Jex-Blake, first woman doctor in Scotland

The Engine That Nearly Ran Out of Steam

Sophia Jex-Blake, first woman doctor in Scotland

BBC Radio 4 - Science Stories, Sophia Jex-Blake, first woman doctor in Scotland

Naomi Alderman tells the story of Sophia Jex-Blake, first woman doctor in Scotland.

Sophia Jex-Blake campaigned in the 19th century for women to train and practise as doctors in the UK. Naomi Alderman tells the story of Sophia Jex-Blake's life and work.

Naomi Alderman tells the science story of Sophia Jex-Blake, who led a group known as the Edinburgh Seven in their bid to become the first women to graduate as doctors from a British university.  Her campaign was long and ultimately personally unsuccessful as she had to go to Switzerland to gain her qualification.  Although Edinburgh University allowed the Seven to attend some lectures, they had to be taught apart from the male students.  There was great antipathy to the women which culminated in 1870 with a riot as they tried to take an exam. 

Naomi discusses Sophia Jex-Blake's life and times with Dr Kristin Hussey who curated an exhibition at the Royal College of Physicians about women in medicine. 
And Dr Fizzah Ali from the Medical Women's Federation talks about women's careers in medicine today.

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