Patricia Whitelock

Patricia Ann Whitelock (born 22 February 1951) is a British-born astrophysicist with dual British-South African nationality. She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of South Africa (of which she was Vice-President in 2002); a member of the Academy of Science of South Africa; and a member of the South African Institute of Physics (SAIP), (of which she was President in 2001-2003). Quotes Astronomy has to be your life, not just your job, or you are unlikely to do well or be happy. If you are going to get married…then you must find a partner who is a true partner, because it is impossible to do everything yourself. Citation for Patricia Whitelock, honorary graduand, Rhodes University, 2020 Dialogue with Patricia Ann Whitelock ‎Conversation with Patricia Ann Whitelock It is 33 years since I got my PhD. I am currently Head of the Astronomy Division and I was Acting Director for about 18 months following the death of the Director. I have also been President of the South African Institute of Physics. The only woman and only astronomer to hold that position. I first arrived at SAAO 30 years ago, my senior colleagues have generally been very supportive. What is clear in South Africa is that many things were strongly biased against women prior to our first democratic election in 1994. That bias has been more or less eliminated since. That is not to say that women occupy 50% of top posts, but there are at least some women in top posts and the profile of the workforce is gradually changing. The legislation that was put in place to try and remove racial discrimination. Is also dealing with other types of discrimination but it will take time. The racial imbalance in the workforce remains the major problem. At SAAO there are a few women in scientific posts. All in senior engineering or IT posts. Of the 25 astronomers on the SAAO staff, 5 are women only one of them born in South Africa. Of the 5 astronomers on the Executive Committee, I am the only woman. 8 or 9 hours now, but I used to do 10 to 12 when I did more research. I have a husband, John Menzies, who is also an astronomer and who has always been very supportive. I do not have children, and am immensely impressed by women who do and also manage to be successful astronomers. Less bureaucracy would help in almost every single way. As far as my career is concerned I am sure I have got where I am going. It is well worth it, but astronomy has to be your life, not just your job, or you are unlikely to do well or be happy. If you are going to get married and or have children then you must find a partner who is a true partner. It is impossible to do everything yourself. External links Patricia Ann Whitelock - SAIP Gold Medallist 2018 Category:Physicists from South Africa Category:Physicists from the United Kingdom Category:Women scientists from the United Kingdom Category:1951 births Category:Women born in the 1950s Category:Living people Category:Women scientists from South Africa