Female Scientists Mock Nobel Laureate’s Remarks With #DistractinglySexy Campaign

Earlier this week the biochemist Richard T. (Tim) Hunt unleashed the following monologue to an unsuspecting audience at a journalism conference in South Korea:

Let me tell you about my trouble with girls. Three things happen when they are in the lab: You fall in love with them, they fall in love with you, and when you criticize them they cry.

Since he made those remarks, which prompted Mr. Hunt to apologize and resign from an honorary professorship at University College London, women in the lab have added a fourth item to the list of things they do: mock Mr. Hunt on Twitter.

The hashtag #DistractinglySexy caught fire on Wednesday and Thursday as a place for female scientists to post photographs of themselves in decidedly modest lab gear, with perhaps just a hint of sarcasm. Here are some of the best tweets:

Still #distractinglysexy after a full day of cell culture. Didn’t even cry this time, so proud! #HeyaTimHunt pic.twitter.com/RdAxxLJ1fY

— Lucie de Beauchamp (@lu_debeauchamp) June 11, 2015

Look how natural I am, when I’m being #distractinglysexy (and pregnant) at work. I cried after this photo was taken. pic.twitter.com/iVI7YXRC3W

— Dawn (@vintagescientis) June 11, 2015

In the field because I’m too #distractinglysexy for the lab. Took ages to find a pic where I’m not crying #TimHunt pic.twitter.com/xtHGGCYmZm

— Jennifer Pannell (@jennypannell) June 11, 2015

I picked a good day to get back on Twitter. Algal fatty acid extraction is #distractinglysexy pic.twitter.com/rFzPuXozK2

— Algæ Girl (@algaegirl328) June 10, 2015

#Distractinglysexy when emptying the biohazardous waste bucket. #TimHunt pic.twitter.com/HsZ9uIrFQp

— Kelly A. Hogan Ph.D. (@Loose_Lab_Rat) June 10, 2015

Idk how any men were able to function when I was in this bunny suit and integrating a satellite. #distractinglysexy pic.twitter.com/XjFVpgQsnL

— Stephanie Evans (@StephEvz43) June 10, 2015