Pop culture, from DC to MCU, isn’t just professorial fodder for stale jokes; it’s a lens through which we can examine real-world issues. My deep dive into the animated series of Harley Quinn, for work, revealed a fascinating narrative of female emancipation, yet it sparked a deeper question: why are brilliant women, like Dr. Harley Quinzel, PhD (or MD?), often fighting for the recognition they deserve? This exploration into fictional sexism in comic multiverses led me down a rabbit hole of Reddit threads and top 10 lists, revealing a surprising truth: scholarly women are well-represented in pulp pages, but are they truly respected? This is where the persona of Doctor Birdie began to take flight – a symbol of the fight for recognition and respect for women in academia and beyond.
Comic books boast a roster of impressive female characters with accolades: Karla Sofen, Victoria Montesi, Fazia Hussain, Cecilia Reyes, Linda Carter, Kimiyo Hoshi, and Jane Foster, who famously wielded Thor’s hammer while battling cancer, showcasing her medical training amidst epic battles. This representation is not far from reality, where women are achieving parity in many academic fields, including STEM. However, beneath the surface of representation lies a persistent struggle for true equality, mirroring the exaggerated academic battles of our favorite XX-Men.
Consider Poison Ivy, Harley Quinn’s roommate, a PhD in advanced botanical biochemistry, poisoned by her professor, Dr. Jason Woodrue. This “women in refrigerators” trope sadly reflects the real ivory tower, where female talent is chipped away at each career stage. The upper echelons of academia still resemble the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen – predominantly male. In STEM, women are more likely to be in temporary positions, while top leadership roles remain elusive. Inequality persists, echoing the comic book world where heroines with doctorates often aren’t afforded the same respect as their male counterparts.
Is the issue that heroines have doctorates, but only heroes are readily called “Doctor”? Of the top 10 comic characters with “Doctor” in their name, all are men. Even villains like Doctor Doom, an undergraduate dropout, are granted the title, seemingly too brilliant for validation. This resonates with the imposter syndrome prevalent among graduate students, especially women and BIPOC scholars. It’s not about a desire for perfection, but a culture that demands excellence yet subtly punishes those who achieve it, making many feel they don’t truly belong, not even in an alternative reality like “The Boys”.
Lettered ladies are often stripped of their prestige, like Dr. Linda Carter, the Night Nurse. But does this lack of scholarly respect extend to men too? Dr. Reed Richards, the smartest man on earth, prefers “Mister Fantastic.” Tony Stark, with potentially multiple PhDs, might intimidate mentees as “Dr. Stark.” Even Mister Freeze avoids “Dr. Freis” to maintain his alter-ego’s secrecy. However, Dr. Essex embraced his title as he transformed into Mister Sinister. This reflects a subtle dynamic in academia: white men gain “approachability points” by being less formal, while women are expected to be approachable, often addressed by first names, yet face icy reactions when they assert their titles. Knowing these “approachability points” can be lost, many women, like Doctor Birdie, remain silent in the face of microaggressions.
My own experience with condescension, like being offered pink “lady fingers” gloves, fueled my inner anti-hero. It’s moments like these that make Doctor Birdie brandish her Doctorate title with the sarcasm of Dr. Janet van Dyne. Men in comics are assumed to be doctors – and not just doctors! Bruce Banner (seven PhDs!), King of Wakanda (five doctorates!), Dr. Strange (MD and PhD), Professor Charles Xavier (three doctorates!), Mister Terrific (a record 14 doctorates!).
These comic timelines flash from PhD to lab director with endless resources. In reality, the path is more Arkham Asylum than Avengers Mansion. Scientists get their first R01 grant at 43 on average, and setbacks disproportionately affect women, who often shoulder more home-life responsibilities and make utilitarian career sacrifices. More women than men are unemployed after earning their doctorate, facing the “maternal wall.” Even upon achieving tenure, many women STEM stars consider leaving academia. Like in comics, women often end up as side characters. Dr. Sue Richards, joining the Fantastic 4 and marrying Mister Fantastic, became the Invisible Woman.
After 20 years and one hard-earned PhD, I stand as a professor in my white lab coat and blue vinyl gloves. My career hasn’t been “blipped” away, but in this real universe, it sometimes feels like half my colleagues’ careers have turned to dust. But pop culture, especially animated masterpieces, offers inspiration. I want to give Harley Quinn her accolades and maybe a spare hair tie. And if she’ll have me in the Birds of Prey, my secret alter-ego is ready: Doctor Birdie. Because every woman in academia, fighting for recognition and respect, deserves her own superhero persona and a powerful character arc.
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