Using the above arrows click right to read the book page-by-page, or download a PDF version (35MB) or plain text version.
The book tells the story of how the University of Edinburgh’s female scientists have fought for equality, from Sophia Jex-Blake and the ‘Edinburgh Seven”, the street riots of the 1870s and the ensuing decades-long campaign to matriculate alongside the men.
The story then focuses in on the School of Chemistry, bringing us up to present day and to trailblazers such as Prof. Lesley Yellowlees, the first female president of the Royal Society of Chemistry.
In 2012 the School of Chemistry received the Athena Swan Gold Award in recognition of its significant and sustained progression in promoting diversity and gender equality. A Chemical Imbalance speaks to those involved and looks at what can be learnt from what they have achieved.
The book was written by Cameron Conant, and designed by Hamlin Daniels.