Every Other Thursday: Stories and Strategies from Successful Women Scientists

by Ellen Daniell

This book tells the story of a professional problem-solving group that for more than 25 years has empowered its members by providing practical and emotional support. The objective of “Group,” as Ellen Daniell and six other members call their bimonthly gatherings, is cooperation in a competitive world. And the objective of Every Other Thursday is to encourage those who feel isolated or stressed in a work or academic setting to consider the benefits of such a group—a group in which everyone is on your side.Each of the high-achieving individuals in Group (including members of the National Academy of Sciences, a senior scientist at a prestigious research institute, and university professors and administrators) has found the support of the others to be an essential part of her own success. Daniell provides detailed examples of how members help one another navigate career setbacks or other difficulties. She shows that group support, discussion, and application of common experience bring to light practical solutions and broader perspectives. In an inspirational conclusion, the author offers advice and practical guidelines for those who would like to establish a group of their own.

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, Academic, Feminism, Academia, Womens

296 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2006

Reviews

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone who is just embarking on their career in acedemia, I found the personal struggles these woman have overcome both terrifying and comforting. Reading a first hand account of how someone went through the process of not making tenure made the possibility a reality. However, it also made clear that life goes on, not without some bouts with bitterness and self-doubt, but it goes on. It also demonstrates strategies to deal with issues common to scientists such as rejection, even if it occurs on a smaller scale like the rejection of a paper or a grant. I was initial turned off by the terms they use from Radical psychiatry, like pig for a "negative self impression" or strokes for compliments for another group member. But I would encourage other readers to push through this initial reaction as I came to see that part of the reason their group worked was that it had a foundation and that there were rules in how they interacted in these meetings. I think it also helped them to externalize the feelings by attaching a name to it. I found reading about people who have struggled with issues that logic tells us everyone must deals with, but feel like very personal battles, very refreshing in a career path that tends to encourage stoicism.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this book because it reminds me of New PI Slack, an online community similar to the Group that Ellen writes about. Their Group is oddly formalized, with some strange vocabulary, and it's a bit weird to see their struggles in hindsight when they all went on to become very successful, but there are so many things to take away from the book. My favorite line was “cooperative action in a competitive world", which is something that I have hugely benefitted from in NPIS and I encourage everyone to look for in their community of support.

[Nasrin Attar · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really found this book amazing. All women in science problems along with their group and their impressions on each other was wonderful. I recommend this book.

[Heidi Busch · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book for a book club meeting at AAUW where the topic of the books we read needed to deal with women’s issues. It was particularly insightful to read this book at this point in my academic career. I’m about a year away from (hopefully) achieving tenure. Reading about a group of university employees who come together to work on various issues they face in academia reminded me that I am not alone in this endeavor and that there are many other people who are in my same situation. I liked the author’s honest portrayal of what happened within the context of their group and the advice offered for starting groups on our own.

[Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heartwarming and inspiring story of women in science (but I'd really recommend for anyone at all interested in academia/industry/science). I'm grateful to have read this book early in my career, as it voiced some of my concerns about a future in academia and provided some great advice. I am excited to curate my own "Group" of colleagues to share and seek solutions.

I'd be interested in an "update" or "revisit" to this book, especially regarding other minority communities.

[Lexi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read. I would recommend this to scientists that are in graduate school or older. This successful, formalized model of professional development via “Group” would be difficult to replicate but the premise makes a ton of sense. I took away from this book valuable scientific and life lessons described with tangible examples and relatable, complex human emotions.

[Judy Schwartz · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read for how to form a professional problem-solving group, and a compelling argument for the value of the group.

[Signe White · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has tons of practical advice and nuggets of wisdom for success in all facets of life. Though targeted towards women, everyone can benefit from reading it and taking a part in formulating their own Group.

[Josie · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first and last chapters are stories about a group of scientists in the Bay Area who form a support group. These are very good, and there are a lot of interesting tidbits about some UCSF faculty. Also the idea of forming such a group is great. But the middle portion, which is a self-help dissection of how to run such and group and definitions of its weird lingo (a compliment is called a "stroke," I don't think I need explain much more than that) were not readable by me.

I want more of the stories though!!

[Meredith · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is rambly and contains a lot of 60s/70s psychobabble, but if you can get past that, the idea is wonderful and some of the stories are very thought-provoking and revealing. If you're interested in starting your own group, the last section of the book is probably the best place to start (and really the only part you need to read). I was enthralled by the chapter about the author's experience being denied tenure, and how Group helped her shape her career afterwards, but most of the stories about various Group members and their issues I found too vague to be really useful.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is about a support group, mostly of scientists, who used concepts from Radical Psychiatry to address difficulties at work. Parts of the book that describe the approach and go into depth are useful. Most of it is fairly shallow list of issues and how the group responded, which I didn't find very useful.

[Katherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fantastic concept for peer review and a fantastic group of women. I just wish there was a little more focus on the positive and the celebration, I finished many chapters feeling overwhelmed by my future career path.

[Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clearly written. I wish it had more anecdotes about the women in the group rather than strategies, but it is still changing how I think about my own work dynamic.

[Katherine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too much focus on "The Group," not enough on what others could gain from reading it. Interesting concept though.

[Livia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A MUST READ FOR ALL FEMALE SCIENTISTS!!

[Ashley]

Rec'd on AstroBetter: http://www.astrobetter.com/peer-mento...

[Xi Xi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good advices for postdocs and junior faculty members.

[Lindsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read, but I didn't find it terribly useful. Maybe I will in another 20 years?