Nancy Atkinson

Abstract

Emma will speak about Nancy Atkinson who was a pioneer bacteriologist in antibiotics and salmonellas from 1939 at the University of Adelaide and the Institute of Medical and Veterinary Science. Interestingly, Emma’s grandmother, Jessica McEwin (nee Mawson), was working at the University of Adelaide as a bacteriologist at the same time as Nancy Atkinson. Writing about Nancy continues Emma’s theme of promoting lives which might otherwise go unrecognised. Situating Nancy Atkinson in the context of women scientists of the 20th Century and more particularly in the context of South Australian women scientists will help to highlight the significance of her achievements and contributions to scientific research. Emma will be making use of Nancy’s papers that are held in Special Collections.