Candyfloss, Lego and Hope: What sort of scientist is Jodie Whittaker’s Doctor?

Abstract

Since the 1980s, calls for a woman to be cast as Doctor Who’s Doctor have partly been based on the notion that the Doctor is a scientist, and that a woman in the role would challenge sexist preconceptions about women in science. In this chapter we discuss the kinds of science role model embodied by the Doctor, and in particular by Jodie Whittaker’s take on the character during her first season. First, we discuss whether she and previous incarnations can even be considered scientists. We reflect on the Doctors’ self-descriptors, plus definitions of “scientist” from history and sociology, and show that strictly speaking they don’t fit the scientist label very well. Second, labels aside, we examine the scientific flavor of Whittaker’s Doctor. As someone with vast knowledge and technical skills who engages in scientific-type activities, what ideological values does she embody with respect to science? Finally, we propose that she embodies a version of expertise we call “scientific stewardship.” This model emphasizes the ethical application of knowledge to benefit society, future generations and other species. We argue that in her peculiarly down-to-Earth version of this, Whittaker’s Doctor sets a new benchmark for scientific role models in Doctor Who. Show more