practical difficulties." Challenges Dr. Davidar has been vocal about the inherent gender bias found in the field of ecology. When asked about how she was treated by her male colleagues, she said, ""They suggested that I get married and stay in the kitchen. I used to take it quite personally and suffered a lot. Now, I realize this only creates needless stress for oneself." She also acknowledges that caste can be another barrier in the field which is mostly dominated by people who belong to the upper caste. She said that though there are no proper statistics, "caste-based nepotism is very much a part of academic recruitment procedure". She also added, "My advice to researchers from disadvantaged backgrounds unwelcome in upper-caste networks is to find collaborators who are supportive to buffer the harshness. Being persistent and carrying on despite difficulties is important. What I found is, time is an important ally that leads to eventual success." According to her, field work can sometimes be challenging to women researchers due to "large gangs of mostly young men from cities, prowling around in the jungles drinking and looking for trouble. Anonymity probably gives them cover for harassment of women." In such cases, however, it is the locals who help them as they tend to feel protective of the women researchers. Honours/Awards In 2009, she was the President of the Association for Tropical Biology and Conservation In 2012, she was elected Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Bibliography Whispers from the Wild Giant Hearts: Travels in the world of Elephants References Articles created or expanded during Women's History Month (India) - 2014 Living people Indian women science writers 20th-century Indian women scientists Scientists from Puducherry 20th-century Indian biologists Harvard University alumni Writers from Puducherry Indian ecologists Women ecologists 20th-century Indian women writers Indian non-fiction environmental writers Women writers from Puducherry 20th-century Indian non-fiction writers Academic staff of Pondicherry University University of Madras alumni University of Mumbai alumni Year of birth missing (living people)