Barbie creates a doll of Oxford Covid-19 vaccine designer Dame Sarah Gilbert

Virgin Radio

4 Aug 2021, 09:29

A Barbie doll has been made in the image of one of the scientists that co-created the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine, in the hope that it will inspire girls to get into science, technology, engineering or mathematics careers (STEM).

Professor Dame Sarah Gilbert, who recently joined the Chris Evans Breakfast Show with Sky with her colleague Dr Catherine Green to talk about their fascinating book Vaxxers, has been honoured as a ‘Barbie Role Model’. Following her work at the University of Oxford and her role as project leader in the creation of the the Oxford AstraZeneca jab, it is now the most widely used around the world, having been sent to over 170 countries.

Professor Gilbert, who this year received a standing ovation from the crowd at the Wimbledon tennis championship for her work on the vaccine, said, “I am passionate about inspiring the next generation of girls into STEM careers and hope that children who see my Barbie will realise how vital careers in science are, to help the world around us.

“My wish is that my doll will show children careers they may not be aware of, like a vaccinologist.”

The professor is not the only woman who is being honoured by Barbie makers Mattel for her work during the pandemic. The five other women who are having dolls made include Las Vegas frontline worker Dr Audrey Cruz, and emergency room nurse Amy O'Sullivan, who treated the first Covid-19 patient at the Wycoff Hospital in Brooklyn, New York. 

Also honoured are Dr Chika Stacy Oriuwa, biomedical researcher Dr Jacqueline Goes de Jesus, and Dr Kirby Whitby, who co-founded Gowns for Doctors, a gown that can be washed and reused.

Professor Dame Sarah Gilbert follows other UK women in having a doll created in her image. Earlier this year, Radio 1’s Clara Amfo was honoured ahead of International Women’s Day in March. There have also been dolls made of activist Adwoa Aboah and boxer Nicola Adams.

In 2016, Mattel released three new types of Barbie in the US - curvy, petite and tall, and the first hijab-wearing Barbie was launched in 2017. Mattel also recently released a Rosa Parks Barbie, and there is now a Barbie that uses a wheelchair, and a Ken with a slightly higher BMI.