Abstract:
In academia, we project success and hide challenges – particularly mental health challenges. Highly idealized biographies portray scientists as extraordinarily dedicated, working superhuman hours and having big Eureka moments. Communicating the highlights without the context of real struggles and challenges presents a distorted version of reality, setting up an unhealthy definition of success that is impossible to live up to. In this presentation, I tell the true story of my career, from my PhD in organometallic chemistry to leading an interdisciplinary research program on stretchable and wearable electronic devices. Partially confessional and partly scientific, this presentation explores the reality of being a scientist, and how lived experience and diverse perspectives are superpowers that we all have and can use to create real systemic change.