Paleontology has an Epstein problem. Women in the field say it's a symptom of a deeper misogyny | CBC Radio
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The names of hundreds of scientists have appeared in the Epstein files, including prominent dinosaur researchers. As the paleontology community reckons with the fallout of these revelations, women in the field say it's bringing to the forefront what they've known for years — that paleontology is rampant with abuse and harassment, funding and fame are prioritized above all else and institutions protect established men at the top at the expense of younger women trying to build careers.

When paleontologist Riley Black learned that several scientists in her field had appeared in the Epstein files, she wasn’t remotely shocked.

The files have revealed the extent of the late disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein’s connections not only with powerful politicians and business leaders, but also hundreds of scientists, some of whom accepted funding from him long after his 2008 conviction on soliciting prostitution with a minor.

As the paleontology community reckons with the fallout of these revelations, women in the field say they are a symptom of a deeper misogyny and power imbalance in the field.

CBC spoke to several women in paleontology, both on and off the record, who describe navigating spaces where abuse and harassment are rampant, funding and fame are prioritized above all else and institutions protect established men at the top at the expense of younger women trying to build careers.