Female scientists in film: embracing duality with the heroine's journey

Abstract

There is a dearth of women in science, technology, engineering, and math careers. Film and television reflects this reality, and women scientist characters are often depicted as lacking in complexity or subordinate to their male counterparts. This thesis examines the deficiencies of filmic depictions of women scientist characters in dramatic films of the past and suggests using Maureen Murdoch's Heroine's Journey story structure to create more independent and complex women scientist characters in film. Inspired by this approach , the paper then discusses the dramatic narrative thesis film Bar Flies , which challenges audiences to consider the social , professional , and personal dilemmas a young woman scientist character faces while navigating her career and personal life.