Take Up Space

In this episode of the Celestial Citizen podcast, host Britt Duffy Adkins introduces a special project that the Celestial Citizen team has been working on to draw attention to gender discrimination and sexual harassment in the space industry. 

The project, titled "Take Up Space," includes a short film and a four-part companion podcast series that features the firsthand accounts of anonymous women and non-binary individuals working in the space industry. In this first episode, titled "Not Technical Enough" we share stories that focus on the many ways in which women are discouraged from working in STEM and technical fields in both subtle and overt ways. The current climate for women in STEM and women in space is described as "very cloudy" by one of the participants.  And although progress has been made, there is still a long way to go to make the space industry more inclusive. 

Women are often made to feel uncomfortable if they have opinions or ideas, and the industry is still by and large dominated by men.  Globally, women make up only 11% of astronauts, 20-22% of space industry workers, and 30% of researchers, scientists, and engineers. Despite the challenges, there are efforts to address these issues and bring about change.  But perhaps change is not coming fast enough, and there is a risk of losing talented individuals who want to work in the industry if things don't improve.  One speaker points out that recent triumphs, such as Wally Funk's trip to space, are few and far between.  Many women have had to abandon their dreams due to lack of opportunities, discrimination, mistreatment, and other societal pressures.

The speakers share their personal experiences with doubt, questioning their place in the industry, and feeling invisible or not taken seriously.  One woman, in particular, recounts her experience with harassment in her first job in the field, which was extremely demoralizing and made her question whether it was worth staying in the industry. Despite the challenges, the speakers remain determined to pursue their passions and make a difference. 

The podcast provides a powerful look at the experiences of gender minorities in the space industry and highlights the need for greater inclusivity and diversity in the field. Our short film, "Take Up Space," can be found on the Celestial Citizen YouTube channel. Support the showSubscribe to our newsletter and follow us on social media! Instagram: @thecelestialcitizen Twitter: @celestialcitzn LinkedIn: Celestial Citizen YouTube: @thecelestialcitizen