Renowned feminist scholar and philosopher of science Sandra Harding will be welcomed by the Saint Mary's community as its visiting scholar in residence beginning today.

Sponsored by the women's studies, philosophy, chemistry, physics and biology departments as well as the Center for Academic Innovation, students and faculty from all disciplines have been looking forward to Harding's visit, said Phyllis Kaminski, associate professor of religious studies and coordinator of the Women's Studies department.

"One of the really exciting things about Sandra Harding's visit is to see the broad range of faculty and students who have expressed interest in her visit," said Kaminski.

Currently, Harding is a professor of education and women's studies in the Graduate School of Education and Information Studies at UCLA. She is also a faculty affiliate of the UCLA Center for the Study of Women.

Besides visiting women's studies, philosophy and biology classes to interact with students, Harding will give a lecture tonight entitled "How Women in Science Benefit Science" at 7:30 p.m. in Stapleton Lounge.

She will also speak at a women's studies colloquium entitled "Does Science foster Democracy? Gender and Global Issues" at noon on Friday in Haggar Parlor. In addition, Harding will meet with chemistry majors on Friday.

Much of Harding's work has examined how science benefits from women in the field and how it helps to advance the cause of women. Kaminski said Harding's visit will help further the cooperation between various disciplines at Saint Mary's.

"Her [Harding's] visit is part of an effort to broaden the understanding of women's studies among the College community, especially to strengthen the links between science and women's studies," said Kaminski. "We're very excited to have someone of her stature here."

Among Harding's books are "Decentering the Center: Philosophy for a Multicultural, Postcolonial and Feminist World", "Is Science Multicultural? Post-colonialisms, Feminisms and Epistemologies" and "The `Racial' Economy of Science: Toward a Democratic Future (Race, Gender, and Science)."

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