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 carried out by a college professor of evolutionary psychology.
Ever since, I've been more attuned than before to blatant discrimination based on weight and have spotted evidence of fat-shaming in multiple contexts. Recent examples range from 

When people — women, often — are seen and judged primarily by their weight instead of by their talents and actions in the world, the result is often incredibly hurtful. None of us wants to be seen and judged so superficially.

Now there's a fresh cry of pain and it comes again from the world of science and higher education.

 titled "Too Fat to Be a Scientist?" Weeks ago, Fox earned her B.A. in biology from Wesleyan University. She has decided to leave science for reasons directly related to fat-shaming.


During an in-person interview for a lab position, Fox met with the scientist in charge. What happened is cringe-inducing:

By leaving science, will Fox escape fat-shaming? I hope so, yet know better. A number of people who commented on Fox's column have urged her to stay in science. Yet Fox seems confident in her decision to take up advocacy instead. As she puts it:

 was released in paperback in April. You can keep up with what she is thinking on Twitter: 

Social Issues

Barbara J. King

Author

On Tuesday, The Chronicle of Higher Education published a column by Rachel Fox titled "Too Fat to Be a Scientist?" Weeks ago, Fox earned her B.A. in biology from Wesleyan University. She has decided to leave science for reasons directly related to fat-shaming.

Fat shaming: A new cry of pain

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