Do you think that the gender of your supervisor has an effect on your communication with them? And how do you view women in academia?

Just guessing, but if you find it impossible to communicate with the opposite sex, and your supervisor is of the opposite sex, then yes, it may be a problem. Also, if your supervisor suffers from this kind of problem, it may also be awkward.

As for women in academia, I think its disgusting for a number of reasons:

- They are taking up positions that could be filled by men
- They are very tempermental
- They are, by nature, emotional beings rather than logical. Science is all about logic.
- They could distract the men from work with sexy walking and perfume
- Their hair is a fire risk (Women should always have long hair)
- Someone needs to be cooking the dinner, tidying up and getting the shopping in

No doubt someone will be offended by some of these valid points, but what can you do when the PC brigade ride roughshod over good old fashioned common sense and values?

I read a survey lately stating that boys do better at school when taught by men, while women help improve girls' performances. The report adds: Girls have better educational opportunities when taught by women and boys are better off when taught by men. I was wondering whether this is true at the PhD level (if it is true at all).

Personally (and this isn't supported by any particular research) I think its better for girls and boys to be taught by both men and women (in as close to a 50/50 split as possible).

For what reasons do you favour single sex education?

Dan, I don't understand...You want All Girls schools and All boys schools but mixed teaching?

I think having all girls schools who recruit 50% male teachers would be a honeypot for lecherous pedophiles. If you don't think this is a big issue, I suggest you buy the Express on a tuesday to get an idea of the sheer scale of the pedophile menace sweeping the nation.

So you can become an A-level teacher (they are over 16, so this is not morally wrong in any way) in an All-girls school by any chance?

Stu? What is Stu? I am basically an imposter. I am not even doing a PHD. I came on here to garner some information/opinions to guide my decision making for NEXT year (2007) and should really have left long ago, but everytime I log on, I am tempted to see if anyone has any gems of advice for me. I then get dragged into some of the hot debate on here, because I can't resist giving my two peneth.

Belford is where I will probably end up getting my PHD from and a Mooncup is some sort of fluid collection device?

I loved single sex education...I was one of five girls in an all boys school and I had a fab time!





Before you ask - they took girls in the sixth form (Beechen Cliff if you're interested Dan B)

Let's ask Babushka...