Introduction
This essay critically reviews the ‘S22/03 Dorothy Hodgkin’ podcast from BBC’s Our Times series—in which Melvyn Bragg and contributors analyze Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin’s (1910-1994) works and beliefs. The critical podcast review addresses the important historical lessons acquired, the exceptional characteristics of Hodgkin’s work and life, teachings about the era she resided in, and the links between her historical personality and wider course themes. The article then considers additional issues arising, such as how her tale has altered my perceptions of her personality.
Review
The conversation by Melvyn Bragg and contributors concerns the works, ideals, and career of Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin. Hodgkin’s story is fascinating as she was the 1964 Nobel Prize winner in Chemistry for her work on vitamin B12 and penicillin structures. Dorothy Hodgkin is notable for being the first woman from Britain to earn a scientific Nobel Prize and the only one thus far in the chemistry domain (Bragg). Her award was given in recognition of her use of x-ray methods to determine the properties of biological compounds such as vitamin B12 and penicillin. She was also awarded for her subsequent insulin breakthroughs, which aided in the development of medications to treat anemia, diabetes, and infections.
Furthermore, Dorothy gained much knowledge from her mother “outside” of a formal educational system, and the patience, tenacity, and peace-loving qualities she possessed are credited to the genius she demonstrated in her scientific career (Bragg). More significantly, being the first woman to earn a Nobel Prize makes her an abhorrent role model for encouraging more women to pursue careers in science.
The episode teaches a vital lesson about the period she lived in. During her time at Oxford University in the 1960s, women confronted difficulties in enrolling in scientific fields. Only one out of every four students was a woman at the time, and only a few women were allowed in science classes (Bragg). Dorothy overcame all difficulties during a period when many lecturers still believed that women should not study science and an epoch in which women were more likely to be funneled into lower-paying careers.
Dorothy’s tale is connected to the larger topics explored throughout the course. The series provides historians of science with rare public exposure in a platform that integrates popularity with scholarly rigor. The program, along with a few others in the series, provides great educational material for students studying the history of science. Podcasts appear to be a wonderful approach to learning about historical, scientific figures and their accomplishments.
The other concern from the podcast is that it has altered my perspective on another public scientific person of interest. As Dorothy Hodgkin was eager to share her achievement with her mentor Bernal, I learned that mentors are vital in motivating learners towards professional greatness, notably in the scientific area. Hodgkin also completed a scientific finding that had been started by Alexander Fleming, demonstrating that, despite gender preconceptions, any woman may be educated and live a full life centered on her intellectual and professional growth.
Conclusion
To sum up, the podcast episode by Melvyn Bragg and his colleague about the work, ideals, and career of Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin is fascinating and inspirational. Dorothy Hodgkin is notable for being the first UK woman to gain a science Nobel Prize and is thus a role model for women in male-dominated fields. Dorothy’s story demonstrates that patience and tenacity are significant in a scientific career. Overall, learning about her story from the podcast provides an engaging and fun way of learning for historians of science.
Works Cited
Bragg, Melvyn. “In Our Time: S22/03 Dorothy Hodgkin (2019).” YouTube, Uploaded by In Our Time.