L'effet Matilda: Women Scientists Made Visible

This conference, led by historian Louis-Pascal Jacquemond, explores the concept of the "Matilda effect"—a term coined by historian Margaret Rossiter in the early 1980s to describe the systematic denial of women scientists' contributions to scholarly work. Attendees will learn about figures like Hypatia of Alexandria, Sophie Germain, Lise Meitner, and the Harvard Computers, whose achievements were rendered invisible.

Jacquemond, a doctor in history and associate teacher at Sciences Po Paris, will analyze the careers of these women and the mechanisms behind their invisibility. The talk coincides with the release of his book "L'effet Matilda" (Odile Jacob, 2025).

Part of the European Heritage Days in libraries, this free event offers a deep dive into a crucial but overlooked aspect of scientific history.