Pope was an active scientist, responsible for discovering new seashore species and establishing the baseline data that is used to understand temperature and
sea-level changes in Australia today. She had a prolific publishing career, including many scientific articles and sea-shore-exploring guides, including the popular
Australian seashores: a guide for the beach-lover, the naturalist, the shore fishermen, and the student, and
Exploring between tidemarks: an introduction to seashore ecology. Pope was also a
science communicator, sharing knowledge with the public and engaging new-career researchers and the
fishery industry in her work. Pope began her career at a time when it was difficult to establish a career in science as a woman, with her starting museum assistant salary 45 per cent lower than that of her male counterparts. The
gender divide that was the background of her research career drove much of her work, and she paved the way for many female marine biologists and
museologists, becoming the first female deputy director of the Australian Museum in 1971. She was also active outside of the museum industry, holding posts as president of the
Linnean Society of New South Wales, as a fellow of the
Royal Zoological Society, and as a member of the
Zoological Society of London. == References ==