Question: Philippa, you said the stereotypical ‘scientist’ is lab coats, geeky glasses etc. Why is this and does it annoy you that many people don’t like science purely because they don’t think they’re good enough because of this steriotype? (sorry can't spell)

Philippa Demonte answered on 14 Jun 2011:

@sarahhalls Not the stereotypical scientist, but the media’s stereotypical portrayal of a scientist. It was because in the 1970s and 1980s Open University used to broadcast late night programmes on the BBC which featured these middle-aged to old men wearing lab coats and glasses. They generally had crazy hair and maybe a beard, and some of them worse socks and sandals. It really wasn’t a good look! Unfortunately this is the image that has stuck in peoples’ minds.

Thankfully times have changed, although LEGO recently used this stereotype in one of their adverts for a competition with the Science Museum in London 🙁