Breaking Barriers in Chromatography: Women Scientists Share Career Challenges and Advice

A career in science is rarely a straight line, and for women, the path can include unique obstacles and opportunities. In a candid roundtable, the founders of the International Women in Chromatography group—Diane Turner of Anthias Consulting, Jacqueline Hamilton of the University of York, and Caroline Gauchotte-Lindsay from the University of Glasgow—shared their personal journeys. They also detail universal challenges, including proving one's worth in a male-dominated environment, navigating career breaks, and combating systemic biases in publishing and funding (1). Their collective insight offers practical advice for young women entering the field today, emphasizing resilience, networking, and the power of a positive mindset.

Unexpected Journeys into Science

A striking theme from the discussion was the non-linear path taken into chromatography. Hamilton "fell into chromatography a bit by accident," discovering two-dimensional gas chromatography during her PhD search after never having heard of it as an undergraduate. She grew to love the practical, hands-on nature of "building instruments, developing methods, and then seeing your results."

Similarly, Turner entered the field after her organic synthesis PhD funding fell through, leading her to a master’s in analytical chemistry and a fateful industry project that resulted in two job offers. At 23, she was tasked with starting an applications lab for a chromatography instrument company. Rising to the challenge, in 2005, she created her own company, Anthias Consulting, and has just celebrated 20 years in business this past June.

The Dual Challenge: Motherhood and Career

A significant and shared challenge was balancing a demanding scientific career with motherhood. Hamilton spoke openly about the need for "a degree of resilience" to navigate taking time out and working part-time for extended periods. Turner’s path was particularly intense; she started her own business, had children, and completed a PhD part-time simultaneously. "That was a very, very crazy time [with] lots and lots of juggling," she noted. This balancing act often forces difficult choices. Turner observed that many women in industry "move into roles like marketing or HR because of the lack of flexibility of working in the laboratory." This exodus of talented women scientists from core research roles represents a significant loss of skill and mentorship for the field, underscoring the urgent need for more flexible and supportive workplace policies.

Systemic Barriers and Slow Progress

While more women are entering the field at senior levels than decades ago, progress at the very top remains "very slow,” Hamilton said. Gauchotte-Lindsay argued that the issue is deeply systemic; promotion criteria based on average grant income or citation metrics can inherently disadvantage women due to existing biases. Publishing can also reflect systemic inequities: studies—including one from the Royal Society of Chemistry—show that women are less likely to be listed as first or last authors, and their work tends to receive fewer citations (2). These systemic issues demand a critical re-evaluation of the metrics used to define success and merit in science.

Practical Advice for the Next Generation

The top recommendation was to actively build a network. Hamilton advised finding the confidence to reach out, while Gauchotte-Lindsay suggested using social media such as LinkedIn or X, formerly Twitter, as a lower-pressure way to connect with admired scientists, noting that such an approach would have helped her younger self immensely. She also stressed the importance of networking with peers, not just senior figures, as these relationships will grow in value over the years. Turner championed a mindset of positivity and seeing opportunity in every situation, even negative ones. All agreed on the value of outreach within the community, which allows you to see your work from a new and fresh perspective and build confidence in sharing it with others. Crucially, Gauchotte-Lindsay urged women not to shy away from opportunities aimed at supporting underrepresented groups: "Do you know what, at the end of the day, if you got something because you're a woman, take it and be able to be super brilliant at it."

References

(1) Bendels, M. H. K.; Müller, R.; Brueggmann, D.; Groneberg, D. A. Gender Disparities in High-quality Research Revealed by Nature Index Journals. PLoS One 2018, 13 (1), e0189136. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0189136

(2) Day, A. E.; Corbett, P.; Boyle, J. Is There a Gender Gap in Chemical Sciences Scholarly Communication? Chem. Sci. 2020, 11, 2277–2301. DOI: 10.1039/C9SC04090K