The Matilda Effect

Exhibition
May 4, 2026 – July 9, 2026
the Matilda effect
Which female researchers have left their mark on the history of science? Marie Curie and her two Nobel Prizes usually come to mind first when answering this question. But what about the other women in scientific research, who are so often overlooked or forgotten?

The science historian Margaret Rossiter coined a term for this phenomenon: the Matilda Effect, in reference to the American author Matilda Joslyn Gage. As early as the 19th century, Gage had analyzed how men appropriated the ideas of intellectual women. The Matilda Effect is this tendency—whether intentional or not—to overlook the importance of the work of women who nevertheless revolutionized their fields.

To restore their memory and keep alive the legacy they left us, this exhibition presents portraits of nine exceptional female researchers whose work continues to resonate today.

This exhibition was produced by the CNRS’s Occitanie Ouest branch, the Femmes & Sciences association, and Quai des Savoirs
Visit the original exhibition page.
Published on May 7, 2026
Updated on May 18, 2026