Being a Woman in Climate Science Academia
Dr. Monica Ortiz tells us about becoming a scientist, the challenges women face in academia, how crucial research is in changing lives, and women’s contribution to more equitable solutions to the climate crisis.
Presenting at the University of Sheffield Grantham Centre for Sustainable Futures, which funded Dr. Ortiz’s doctoral studies
In celebration of National Women’s Month in the Philippines, Parabukas will be sharing stories from our women Fellows – the organization’s pool of brilliant collaborators – who are doing important work in the fight against climate change through research, awareness-raising, and climate justice advocacy.
For our first feature we talk to Parabukas Fellow Dr. Monica Ortiz, who currently is an affiliate staff at the University College London in the United Kingdom.
Q: Could you tell us about your work as a postdoctoral researcher at the University College London?
As a postdoctoral researcher, my job revolves around generating new and original research. I am an "interdisciplinary scientist" so my research and training don't fall neatly into one field. This means I am a little bit of a biologist, a little bit of an agricultural scientist, and a little bit of a climate scientist and geographer, and also somewhere in between where they all interact. That's really exciting actually, because the climate and biodiversity crises need thinkers working between different disciplines. But it can also be challenging because there's so much to know!
Dr. Ortiz is currently an affiliate staff at the University College London / University College London by Steve Cadman, CC BY - SA 2.0, modified
Our project, BIOTA, is focused on understanding how the way in which we produce food, and trade it across borders, affect living species and habitats on earth. We use data and computer models to answer our research questions. For example, we have work which looks at whether agricultural land actually still has biodiversity -- and how this is affected by how close the land is to the forest. This involves using statistics, supercomputers, and looking into what other researchers have found. In another project I was involved in, I interviewed farmers about what they thought of the UK becoming carbon neutral (Net Zero) by 2050, and in another project I helped facilitate discussions between researchers to find out what challenges there are in doing interdisciplinary research.
Q: How did you get into this line of work? What made you choose research and why specifically on climate change?
Dr. Ortiz visits the neotropics in Ecuador
I feel like I took a long and wiggly path to becoming a researcher and earning my PhD. It was never my childhood dream to become an "interdisciplinary researcher." Like most Filipino families, my parents wanted me to become a medical doctor! (I still am a doctor... but not the lifesaving kind! Still waiting to be called in an airplane to help someone with their powerpoint hehe) so I took up biology, which was my favorite subject in high school.
But in college, I really enjoyed being outdoors so much -- I took a lot of field classes and was able to visit the rainforests of Ecuador.
I was also really bad at anatomy and cell biology hehe so I think the choice was made for me to not be a medical doctor. When I graduated, I started working as a guide in a nature sanctuary and organic farm, then I did my Masters in Environmental Science. Somewhere in between I wanted to be closer to the Philippines, and so I did my research on bananas and climate change in the Philippines. I found out that there was little known about how climate change affects such an important crop, and it really captured my interest. When I finished my Masters degree, I ended up working for the Ateneo School of Government and Manila Observatory, doing a lot of public and policy engagement related to disasters and climate change and discovered our beautiful country (and its challenges) even more.
We travelled all over the Philippines speaking with LGUs and communities, and it was somewhere along the way that I knew I had to learn more and gain more skills so that I could make a difference in the science. I worked hard to get where I am, but I was also very lucky to have amazing mentors who helped me find this path towards climate change research and hone my natural abilities in science and public engagement.
Fieldwork and engagement with local governments on disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation took Dr. Ortiz all over the Philippines
Q: How crucial is the role of research in contributing to the fight against climate change, and creating solutions to the climate crisis?
I would say it is a very crucial role. It is key to make decisions that are supported by scientific evidence. Research plays a huge part in understanding how fast things are changing, what options we have as a society, and for developing technologies and strategies for both climate change mitigation and adaptation. It's important to emphasize that research isn't limited to the physical sciences for climate change; there is a lot of crucial research in the social sciences to understand how to best influence society, catalyze change in our communities and policies, and also in the domains of economics and health.
Q: Despite an overwhelming overwhelming consensus within the scientific community proving the existence of anthropogenic climate change, many people still continue to deny the phenomenon and go as far as spreading misinformation about the issue. How do we fight this?
This is a tough question. I think the pandemic has shown us how deeply attached people are to what they believe in, even when the facts are right in front of them. I would say: stick to the facts, double check references and sources, and if in doubt, ask your local scientist if you can! Misinformation is challenging, because the roots of climate change are deeply tied to our society's values and development. We Filipinos know this, having lost so much to hazards and disasters in our lifetime. But others may not have had our lived experiences. So be kind, be respectful, but also, know how to choose your battles.
Dr. Ortiz as a youth delegate to the UNFCCC, together with the Philippine Delegation
A wise friend studying psychology and collective action told me that if I wanted someone to become vegan, do I go right to the most meat-loving friend I know and start preaching to them about the benefits of a plant-based diet? No, that wouldn't get me far. I would see much more success and progress in talking to someone who was curious about maybe having a bit less meat in the week, or trying plant-based alternatives. I think this applies to climate change deniers too: it's easier to meet a little bit closer to the middle, and then bombard them (lovingly!) with facts and information.
Q: Now, this feature wouldn’t be complete without the key theme we are celebrating this International Women’s Month. What are some of the ways that women enrich the discourse surrounding climate change and looking for climate solutions?
Women hold key roles across the world: as decision-makers, scientists, educators, policymakers, carers, and mothers (among many other roles). Unfortunately, because of gender inequality, women will face greater impacts from climate change, especially those living in poverty and without sufficient education as climate change affects livelihoods and society. But women also have immense power in sharing their perspective from these roles, and from the challenges of being a woman, that can drive innovation and change for the better. Research tells us that women have been proven to lead the way towards more equitable and sustainable solutions to climate change. I truly believe that. Including women's voices at the table -- or indeed, having them set the agenda for discussion in the first place -- is the way to solving climate change.
Research tells us that women have been proven to lead the way towards more equitable and sustainable solutions to climate change. I truly believe that. Including women's voices at the table -- or indeed, having them set the agenda for discussion in the first place -- is the way to solving climate change.
Q: What are the challenges that women face working in academia?
While there are many women in academia -- and our numbers continue to grow -- many of the people up top, the decision-makers, are still men. Some of this is down to gender roles: I am a new mom myself and I do feel the pressure of balancing my roles in my family with work, and have only been able to work this year in a pandemic without childcare thanks to my husband who became the stay-at-home parent. When I was working in the field back in the Philippines, I would get the occasional "hija" comment from stakeholders, and there's always the concern about our personal safety when travelling.
I have the immense fortune of having had women as my mentors all along the way: Charity Krueger, the late Dr Gemma Narisma, Ms Jessica Dator-Bercilla, Dr Julie Jones, and Dr Carole Dalin have been amazing role models to look up to. So while I think there are significant challenges, we need to keep pushing on for greater gender balance and recognition of women as powerful voices in science, and mentoring young women and girls to do the same.
Q: What can be done so that women are given more opportunities to succeed?
Dr. Ortiz breastfeeding her child at her PhD graduation
I can only speak from my experience for academia: I think things are slowly changing as the old guard is replaced with the new. I think universities and institutes need to have forward-thinking values to meet a strict gender balance in positions of leadership, to recognize and honor women's excellence, and to prioritize young women and girls for scholarships and opportunities. I also think that eliminating any gender pay gaps, and recognizing the important family role that women have -- with paid maternity leave and adequate child care support -- are important to making sure that women are not "penalized" for taking time to build and nurture a family while continuing with their career.
I also think that eliminating any gender pay gaps, and recognizing the important family role that women have -- with paid maternity leave and adequate child care support -- are important to making sure that women are not "penalized" for taking time to build and nurture a family while continuing with their career.
Q: Could you tell us about the difference between the perception and discourse surrounding climate change in the Philippines and in a country such as the UK?
I think because we experience so many natural hazards in the Philippines -- typhoons, droughts and heat waves, and floods -- we KNOW that we are vulnerable to climate change even if we don't see the science. I think even in this time of public and political distrust and discord, we can agree that the Philippines will be severely affected by climate change if we do nothing, and hence there is a lot of interest and activism around climate change.
In the UK, there is a high level of trust with institutions and science. There's also a long history of environmental involvement and protection, and importantly the resources to support these activities. But there's a difference in attitude I think. For us Filipinos, addressing climate change is essentially choosing between life and death. But most people here probably wouldn't mind a few more degrees to make things warmer or sunnier (and don't mind spending a lot of emissions to get that sunshine and warmth elsewhere), and there aren't 20 typhoons hitting the country every year that threaten livelihoods. So while people may be concerned about climate change, and make environmentally conscious decisions, there is this level of "comfort" that is very different.
Q: Given that the work required to solve a problem like climate change looms as large as the Earth itself, how do you stay motivated and passionate to continue in this line of work?
Ah! It can be hard sometimes. Even before the pandemic, academic work can be quite isolating: it's a lot of thinking, reading, writing, re-writing, and most of it done alone. A lot of it depends on one's own initiative and motivation. Add to the mix some impostor syndrome and the challenges of short-term contracts and lack of permanent positions for early career researchers, it has personally been very challenging. What keeps me motivated is knowing that this work can make a difference: for example, an article I helped write with PAGASA researchers on tropical cyclones has been the baseline of information for typhoon frequency/intensity in the Philippines. I think not losing the human connection and touch also helps maintain the passion for science: this means pursuing collaborations with friends: writing a paper together (hi Parabukas friends!), organizing workshops together, or just catching up over a virtual coffee morning. And for me, I think bringing it back to what got me motivated in the first place: being outdoors, appreciating nature, and wanting it to still be around for my son and future generations.
Q: What’s something that you would advise to those who want to pursue a similar career as yours?
I have to be honest and say it's tough! But if this is the path for you, be well-prepared, work hard, be creative and original. Be kind to yourself: celebrate your successes, and celebrate your friends' and colleagues' successes too. Rest. Breathe. The pursuit of knowledge is a never-ending one, so don't lose your sense of wonder and spark in the grind and rush.
Dr. Ortiz working as a naturalist intern in Ohio at the Aullwood Audubon Center and Farm
Q: And finally, could you tell us about your other interests? What does an accomplished scientist and academician such as yourself do to unwind?
I love baking and cooking, and spending time with my husband and son. Sometimes it's hard to remember what I liked before the pandemic, but (I think?? haha) I also enjoyed eating street food and discovering local places while travelling to places old and new. Time outdoors hiking is also time well spent!
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