Dedicating to Charting Women's Role in History of Science

Liu Bing gives a lecture to students in Tsinghua University. [China Women's News]

I started to study the history of science from the perspective of gender in the 1990s, discovering many fresh aspects that were new to me then. Relevant research, however, still needs to be promoted. For example, in the early days I encouraged my students to study Marie Curie. This exercise helped them to explore how professionals, the media and the general public formed an understanding of prestigious female scientists and why.

Delve into Gender Study from the Perspective of Science History

As one of the first scholars studying the history of science from the gender perspective in China, I actually stumbled into the field by accident. Because my research area was science history and communication, I had to follow various thoughts and disciplines from across the world. Therefore, I inevitably touched on the massive and dynamic school of feminism.

It is fair to say that I started from scratch in my study of feminism. Gradually I found out that the development of feminism in the 1970s and beyond has exerted far-reaching influences upon not only traditional disciplines like literature and history, but also on science and other fields. These subjects have taken on important changes because of feminism, bringing about new, shocking insights and even overturning concepts central to our research.

In fact, I had focused on some studies on the relationship between feminism and the history of science prior to the Fourth World Conference on Women in 1995. Back then, there was little research into the history of science and gender-related issues in China. Moreover, science and its history were generally perceived as neutral, objective, and irrelevant of gender bias. Consequently, during that period I mainly translated and introduced foreign theories on the history of science and gender studies and meanwhile studied some local issues, too.

Since feminist theory originated abroad, in a different context, I think the translation and review of works on the relationship between science and gender are significant to China and I take that as one of my main research roles. The introduction is an arduous process given the powerful impact of bold and progressive ideas on conventional Chinese notions. In the 1990s, I cooperated with several overseas organizations to promote gender study from the perspective of science. We edited writings and produced textbooks on science and gender, and provided elaborate references for domestic research in this field. These achievements are still exerting influence today.

By way of introduction, I also focus on analyzing and studying local conundrums such as the "lying-in" issue. "Lying-in", which refers to the old childbirth practice involving a woman resting in bed for a long period after giving birth, has been a controversial term in both the history of science and the field of gender study, which, however, is worthy of meticulous attention not least because it is so contentious. In the contemporary era, Western science has long held such a dominant position that few traditional customs could ever resist its cultural erosion. "Lying-in" is one of them. This Chinese tradition with a strong local following directly concerns social reflection on science. Though research into this issue has yet to yield any astounding results, it is of enormous practical meaning to the public and helps provide an approach to breaking sex stereotypes.

Approve of the Theoretical Value and Practical Power of Feminism

I did not attend the 1995 World Conference on Women in Beijing myself. But during the past two decades, China has adopted gender equality as a basic state policy, triggering positive changes and pushing forward the grand cause. The strategy to promote gender equality and women's development put forward by the Chinese government is of great significance. However, its logic and criteria are prone to being swayed by some executives' conception of what constitutes a political achievement. This has led to ignorance about the role of some non-governmental organizations and some relevant individuals. In fact, academic circles and social organizations have also undertaken much work in promoting equality between men and women ever since the 1995 event.

My "distance" from the historical conference enables me to view gender-related issues as an independent, so I can be intellectual in a critical spirit. I once wrote an article discussing the meaning of feminism from an academic perspective for a social and cultural review journal. I was worried while writing because of my different, or let's say, critical ideas are sometimes in opposition to mainstream opinion. Nonetheless, shortly after its publication, Professor Liu Bohong, deputy director of the Women's Studies Institute of China, whom I met at a meeting, spoke highly of it, which was greatly encouraging.

I used to dip into many arenas but the relationship between science and feminism has been one of the fields I have persisted in. In my view, unique perspectives and understandings of feminism can deconstruct conventions and fit into the practice of postmodernism to some degree. Over the past decades, few academic fields, thoughts and schools have wielded such a wide-spread influence and a great force so as to penetrate all traditional subjects as well as emerging disciplines, as has done feminism. This also demonstrates the value of feminism which has its unique viewpoint and involves approaches that can yield many novel developments.

In addition, I have gradually realized during my research process that feminism is not purely an academic principle but a realm tinted with ideological significance, justice and fairness. Feminism also underlines social participation and action. The unsatisfactory status quo in women's development in present day society constitutes a force that further stimulates me to pursue my study.

History of Science and Male Identity Need Intensive Study

There is no gender perspective in traditional studies of the history of science. The history of science here refers to a historical course that few people have participated in. Where there is mankind, there is gender. There were few female scientists throughout the history of science both at home and abroad. There occurred a change in theoretical interpretation before and after the inception of feminist thought. But as of now, no substantial leaps have been made in studying feminism from the perspective of the history of science. This is more of an accumulating process.

As already mentioned, I once guided my students to study Marie Curie to explore how scientists, science media outlets and the general public form their understanding of her and why. We were seeking answers from various translations and introductions of her biographies. We found that many changes have happened to social understandings of Curie all through those years. Earlier publications usually adopted a general view while later ones added a gender perspective. Nevertheless, is Curie is an example of the liberation of female scientists or not? What role has her image construction played in women's development? These questions need further, detailed analysis.

In addition, as a male intellectual engaged in gender studies, I need to reflect on my own identity. Some critics say only women can properly understand women's feelings because they share a common life experience. However, viewing women's issues from a male standpoint has unique advantages despite its limitations because the study of gender equality will ultimately go beyond research on feminism. So, first of all, we should in no way exclude men from the realm of women's studies. Female-related issues are not problems of their own but social issues that need the involvement of men. The ultimate goal of studying issues to do with women, men and the social structure from a gender perspective is to create a better future for all mankind.

(Source: China Women's News/Translated and edited by Women of China)