Science, it's a big deal. But, not everyone sees it the same way. Historically, it has been dominated by the western world and often overlooks or excludes other groups. We're going to dive into this issue and explore the tensions between modern Western science and other systems of knowledge. Hold tight, it's going to be a thrilling ride!

• Science in Sociopolitical Context: Science, much like that famous Instagram influencer, has been shaped and defined by who it hangs out with, and unfortunately, this hasn't always been diverse. In fact, many groups have been excluded from the scientific conversation, particularly along gender, racial, and non-Western intellectual lines. Think about it this way: imagine if a football team only allowed players who ate ice cream for breakfast. They'd be excluding potentially amazing players who preferred pancakes or cereal!

• Gender Issues in Science: Let's journey back to the groovy 1960s, a time when feminist theory started really shaking up the scientific community. One key figure, Sandra Harding, has written extensively about how science has often supported harmful stereotypes about women and how schools might even limit women's access to careers in science and engineering. It's like having a super-fast car but not being allowed to drive it, just because of your gender. Crazy, right?

• Debunking Myths: Did you know that for a long time people believed that the egg was just sitting around, waiting for the active sperm to do all the work during fertilization? Emily Martin, in 1991, revealed how such a scientific myth supported stereotypes about males and females. Kind of like assuming a girl can't throw a punch or a boy can't cry, these are outdated ideas that need to be challenged!

• The Power of the Gender Lens: Just as a pair of glasses can help you see clearly, looking at science through a "gender lens" brings issues into focus. However, it's important to remember that "gender" is not just another word for "woman", it's a lot more complex. This approach has allowed us to explore how science and power interact. For example, think of your favorite superhero. Their power often comes with responsibility, right? Similarly, the power of science comes with the responsibility of being inclusive and diverse.

• The Role of Role-Models: Showcasing diverse role-models can inspire young minds to follow a scientific path. For instance, the Nevertheless podcast highlights women STEM role-models in various languages. Just like how watching your favorite basketball player might make you want to play the game, these role models can inspire future scientists!

• Decolonization and Science: Now, let's take a detour to the 1970s and 1980s, when post-colonial theory began examining how science was used globally. They were concerned about how the western science narrative often separated itself from its colonial and imperialist past. It's like pretending you've never eaten your sibling's chocolate, when in reality, you're the chocolate thief. Science needs to acknowledge and recover from its colonial past, a process that decolonization movements worldwide are working towards.

• The Singular Science Myth: Post-colonial studies challenge the idea that modern Western science is the only valid explanation of the natural world. They point out that traditional knowledge from non-European societies, like Indigenous methods of astronomy, medicine, navigation, and herbalism, were often absorbed into scientific knowledge, with their origins forgotten. Imagine someone taking your Grandma's secret recipe, adding a pinch of salt and calling it their own. It's not cool, is it?