It is no secret that certain movies and TV shows have a tremendous following, even to the point of being a little “cultish”. Just look at the likes of the large Star Wars, Game of Thrones or Harry Potter fans around the world.
While most would agree that the show or movie they love is entertaining and even life-changing, one in particular is said to have, quite literally, changed the course of the lives of some of its audiences.
Is it true that the character Dana Scully from X-Files inspired many women to pursue a career in science, technology, engineering and mathematics?
Verdict:
TRUE
Dana Scully, played by Gillian Anderson, was a prominent character in "The X-Files," which aired from 1993 to 2002. She was a medical doctor and a skilled FBI agent who used her scientific knowledge and analytical skills to investigate paranormal phenomena alongside her partner Fox Mulder, played by David Duchovny.
Since the debut of the show, the percentage of women enrolled in STEM-related programs has steadily increased.
The term "Scully Effect" was coined to capture this phenomenon, highlighting the character's influence on real-world career choices.
While it's difficult to attribute a specific increase in the number of women in science, law, and medicine solely to the character," it's undeniable that her portrayal had a positive impact on the representation of women in these fields.
Scully's character was notable for being intelligent, competent, and resilient, breaking away from traditional gender stereotypes often seen in similar roles.
Scully also became a role model for many young women who aspired to pursue careers in these fields, showing them that they could excel in traditionally male-dominated areas.
Anderson was asked about this phenomenon during a Comic-Con in San Diego years ago, to which she responded, “It was a surprise to me, when I was told that. We got a lot of letters all the time, and I was told quite frequently by girls who were going into the medical world or the science world or the FBI world or other worlds that I reigned, that they were pursuing those pursuits because of the character of Scully. And I said, ‘Yay!’”
While the “Scully Effect” is real and the character did inspire many, it is also important to note that the changes in society and shifts in cultural attitudes have all played roles in encouraging more women to pursue careers in science, law, and medicine.
References
https://www.globalcitizen.org/
https://www.smithsonianmag.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/
