The Fifth Estate

Sexism in science: The woman who pioneered giraffe research (45x15)

: 24, 2019

Before Jane Goodall began her study of chimpanzees, there was Anne Innis Dagg. She's a Canadian and the first to conduct scientific studies of giraffes, or any large mammal, in the wild. She was a young researcher, working on her own in Africa in the late 1950s. Her observations about the behaviour of giraffes laid the foundation for all future giraffe studies. In the 1970s, despite her extensive qualifications, she was denied tenure at several Ontario universities, which effectively ended her giraffe research and academic career. Instead of giving up, Anne became an activist for women’s rights, especially in academia. She taught part-time and published books but didn't get the support or recognition she deserved until the scientific community rediscovered her and raised her profile. Now there's a film about her life, and several universities are trying to make up for their rejection. She’s received many awards and will soon hear whether she will be a recipient of the Order of Canada.