Dare to disagree | Margaret Heffernan

Summary

In the 1950s, Dr. Alice Stewart's pioneering epidemiological research linked X-rays during pregnancy to childhood cancers, challenging prevailing beliefs. Despite initial acclaim, it took 25 years for her findings to be accepted. Stewart's collaboration with statistician George Kneale, who aimed to disprove her theories, highlights the importance of constructive conflict in driving truth and change. The talk emphasizes the need for diverse perspectives and the courage to engage in conflict to foster innovation and address societal issues.

Takeaways

• 👩‍⚕️ Alice Stewart was a pioneering female doctor in the 1950s, known for her brilliance and dedication to her work despite societal norms.
• 🔍 Stewart was interested in epidemiology and chose to investigate the unusual rise in childhood cancers among affluent families.
• 💡 Despite limited funding, Stewart conducted a comprehensive survey to identify potential factors linked to childhood cancers.
• 🤰 Her research revealed a significant correlation between maternal X-rays during pregnancy and childhood cancer, challenging conventional wisdom.
• 📰 Stewart's findings, published in The Lancet in 1956, were initially met with excitement but faced a long period of resistance from medical establishments.
• 🤝 Stewart's collaboration with statistician George Kneale exemplified a powerful model of constructive conflict, where Kneale aimed to disprove Stewart's theories to strengthen them.
• 🧠 The importance of embracing conflict as a means of thinking and problem-solving was highlighted through Stewart and Kneale's working relationship.
• 🌐 The script emphasizes the need for diverse perspectives and the courage to engage with differing viewpoints to foster innovation and change.
• 💡 Organizations often struggle with thinking collectively due to fear of conflict, which can lead to missed opportunities for improvement and growth.
• 🗣️ The story of Joe from a medical device company illustrates the power of speaking up and the potential for collective problem-solving when conflicts are addressed.
• 🎓 The University of Delft's requirement for PhD students to defend statements is presented as a model for encouraging individuals to be prepared for intellectual conflict.
• 🌟 The script concludes that openness and information alone are not enough; we must develop the skills and courage to engage with conflict to truly drive change.

Q & A

Who was Alice Stewart and what made her unusual in the 1950s?

Alice Stewart was a doctor in Oxford during the 1950s who was considered unusual due to her gender, as women in medicine were rare at the time. She was also noted for continuing her work after marriage, having children, and even after becoming a single parent due to divorce. Additionally, she was interested in the emerging field of epidemiology.

What was the hard problem that Alice Stewart chose to research?

Alice Stewart chose to research the rising incidence of childhood cancers, which was an anomaly since most diseases were correlated with poverty, but childhood cancer victims often came from affluent families.

How did Alice Stewart fund her research on childhood cancers?

Alice Stewart had difficulty securing funding for her research and eventually received only 1,000 pounds from the Lady Tata Memorial prize, which meant she had limited resources for data collection.

What was the significant finding from Alice Stewart's research?

Alice Stewart's research revealed that children who had died from cancer were twice as likely to have had mothers who were X-rayed during pregnancy, a finding that contradicted the prevailing belief in the safety of X-rays.

Why was Alice Stewart's finding initially overlooked by the medical community?

Alice Stewart's finding was initially overlooked because it challenged the conventional wisdom about the safety of X-rays, the enthusiasm for new technology, and the self-perception of doctors as helpers rather than potential harmers.

What was the role of George Kneale in Alice Stewart's research?

George Kneale was a statistician who collaborated with Alice Stewart. His role was to actively seek disconfirmation of Stewart's theories and models, aiming to prove her wrong, which helped strengthen her confidence in her findings when he could not disprove them.

How did the collaboration between Alice Stewart and George Kneale exemplify a constructive model of conflict?

Their collaboration exemplified constructive conflict by embracing differing perspectives and approaches. George Kneale's focus on disproving Alice's theories through rigorous statistical analysis provided a robust test of her findings, which in turn gave her the confidence to stand by her research.

What is the significance of the statement 'Openness alone can't drive change' in the context of Alice Stewart's research?

The statement highlights that despite the data being available and open, it took 25 years for the medical community to abandon the practice of X-raying pregnant women. This shows that mere availability of information is not sufficient to effect change; it requires the willingness to confront and engage with the information.

Why did the speaker suggest that organizations often fail to think effectively?

The speaker suggested that organizations often fail to think effectively because the individuals within them are too afraid of conflict. This fear prevents them from raising issues or concerns, which is necessary for collective problem-solving and innovation.

What is the importance of constructive conflict in fostering better thinking and decision-making?

Constructive conflict is important because it encourages individuals with diverse perspectives to challenge each other's ideas, leading to more thorough examination and refinement of theories and decisions. It promotes a deeper understanding and potentially better outcomes.

How did the story of Joe from the medical device company illustrate the value of speaking up despite fear of conflict?

Joe's story illustrated the value of speaking up by showing that his concerns about the device's complexity and potential for error were shared by others. His decision to voice his concerns led to collective problem-solving, innovation, and improvement of the device, and he was recognized as a leader rather than a troublemaker.

What is the role of the University of Delft's requirement for PhD students in promoting critical thinking?

The University of Delft's requirement for PhD students to submit and defend five statements encourages them to stand up to authority and be prepared to argue their viewpoints. This practice promotes critical thinking and the ability to engage in constructive conflict, which are essential skills for effective problem-solving.

What is the key takeaway from the speaker's message about the relationship between openness, information, and the ability to effect change?

The key takeaway is that while open information and networks are essential, they are not enough on their own to drive change. It requires individuals to develop the skills, habits, and moral courage to engage with the information, confront the conflicts it may provoke, and use it to inform better thinking and decision-making.