Today we will talk about a really exciting and interesting interwiew in the « monthly interwiew » with PhD Vona MELEDER.

We really wanted to have the point of view of someone we know and who maybe already lived the « Matilda effect » so we’ve contacted her to ask some of our questons. Vona MELEDER is one of our biology teacher. Just to let you know a bit more about her she was a member of the project « les éclaireurs mer et littoral, embarquer dans le défi citoyen » with COSELMAR which was really interesting.

After that, we’ve received her answer, and with surprise, we can see that she had to fight for her place, but not because she was the victime of the « Matilda effect », just because « she didn’t choose the easier way of life with working in science and not because she is a woman ».

PhD MELEDER Vona was a young girl who «wanted to work in Biology and do research », for her, it was a « vocation » ! So, she « did her first year in medecine, without the numerus closus, so, I arrived in the faculty of Biology. Here, I discovered the ecology and environmental sciences, and it was very exciting » for her. What’s more, she find that « people was more relax than in Human Biology ». Finally, she « obtained my PhD in 2003 in Marine Biology », and four years later, she « had a permanent position at the University of Nantes (in 2007) ».

After her degree course, we also wanted to know her point of view about the place of woman in science.

She shared her experience with us and the fact that she « never felt devalued because I was a woman ». But she thinks it’s because she « really do not care » about it, and because « some words from old men never stopped » her. However, she thinks that « women could be more involved in science » even if women « do not have the same priorities as men ». For her, the priority of women is « the family », and women « act as it is a problem ». The priority of men is « also the family », but for them, she thinks that « it is not a golden prison ». So, she wanted to explain to women that they shouldn’t have to choose! She announced that she has 3 boys and also a good CV , what’s more, she « travels a lot around the world » and she is a scientist. So, it is possible, you have just to find the right balance.

Her word of the end is : « Why only men can do that ? », « Women also can do…if they want » !!!

Here our exchange with her.

Her point of view is really interresting and shows us that if we fight, we can do everything we want !

To her, we shouldn’t have to choose between work and family, her point of view gives hope for the future !

Maud, Juliette and Flora