Know your hashtag: #DistractinglySexy

Sir Tim Hunt is a Nobel Prize winning biochemist. Speaking about women in science at the World Conference of Science Journalists in Seoul, Sir Tim had this to say:

“It’s strange that such a chauvinist monster like me has been asked to speak to women scientists. Let me tell you about my trouble with girls. Three things happen when they are in the lab: you fall in love with them, they fall in love with you, and when you criticise them they cry. Perhaps we should make separate labs for boys and girls?“

Since journalist Connie St Louis broke the story at the conference, Sir Tim has resigned from his posts at the Royal Society and University College London (UCL), Richard Dawkins and Brian Cox have come to the biochemist’s defense (Tim was being ironic), Connie has called for more women in the Royal Society and #DistractinglySexy has become a thing.

Watch this #DistractinglySexy video:

What: The so called girls in science are posting pictures of themselves at work showing how #DistractinglySexy they are.

Why: In response to Sir Tim Hunt’s sexist remarks, but as Connie St Louis says, this speaks to a bigger issue, sexism against women in the workplace.

Here are some of our favourites:

Send us your #DistractinglySexy pics.