17–22 May 2026
C.I.D
Europe/Zurich timezone

Women in Physics from a Historical Perspective: The Ambivalence of Success, Forces of Inertia and Pathways to Equity

WEX03
Not scheduled
1h 45m
C.I.D

C.I.D

Deauville, France

Speaker

Beate Ceranski (University of Stuttgart)

Description

This paper discusses the situation of women in physics from the perspectives of history of science. The concept of meritocracy is introduced first, as it is a helpful tool for the analysis of the dynamic within the scientific ommunity as well as for indiviudual career trajectories. The second part deals with enablers that kept women in the field. The confidence of belonging to the physics community is identified as a crucial aspect. The third part points to the importance of lab culture, using examples from early radioactivity research. The final part reflects briefly the specifics of accelerator physics before closing with some afterthoughts on why it is still necessary as well as worthwile to champion equal opportunities after all these years.

Paper status Proceeding files received but not yet assigned to an editor

Author

Beate Ceranski (University of Stuttgart)

Presentation materials

There are no materials yet.