THE work of women in art and science is being showcased at the University of Dundee as it launches an exhibition to celebrate their research.
Uncertain Territories is a free offering that includes work from female scientists who have researched the natural world.
Artefacts, specimens and artwork are among the work on display in the University’s Tower Foyer Gallery which have all been taken from the museum collections relating to the Dundee artists.
The exhibition is a chance to celebrate the work of the women that may have been overlooked when it was first published.
Matthew Jarron, curator of the exhibition, said: “When the university was founded, one of its founding principles was that male and female students could study here on equal terms. In practice this was not always realised.
"Women were then unable to gain the same degree qualifications as men and often faced prejudice from male students.”
One of the scientists being celebrated is Doris Mackinnon, who came to the University of Dundee in 1909 as an assistant to the professor of Biology, D’Arcy Thompson, before gaining her doctorate in 1914.
Mackinnon’s work on parasites focused on malaria and other insect-borne diseases that are still included as a key research area for the school of life sciences.
In 1917, she became the head of the natural history department in Dundee and a few years later became the first female professor at King’s College in London.
Alongside Mackinnon’s research, the exhibition is also showcasing illustrations by artist Edith Philip Smith from the 1920s and a chart by zoology student Ann B Adam from the 1930s.
Jarron added: “While many scientific professions were male-dominated well into the 20th century, women were able to make their mark in the natural sciences, perhaps because of the long tradition of amateur botanists.
"Whether through pioneering research, collecting or creating, these women have helped us to understand nature and the world around us.”
The exhibition will run until April 1 and will be open to the public Monday-Friday from 9:30am-7pm and Saturday from 11am-4pm.
