Women* in Science: the Matilda Effect

What is the connection between nuclear fission and Matilda?
Whether in science, art or other fields: Compared to men, the work of women* is more often ignored, denied recognition or otherwise made invisible. The Matilda effect describes this systematic underestimation or non-recognition of women’s scientific achievements.
The US women’s rights activist and sociologist Matilda Joslyn Gage pointed out this phenomenon as early as 1870 in her pamphlet titled Woman as Inventor. In the 1990s, science historian Margaret W. Rossiter gave this systematic discrimination the name ‘Matilda Effect’ (see for example The Matthew Matilda Effect in Science).
One well-known example is the chemist Otto Hahn, who received the Nobel Prize for the discovery of nuclear fission. Physicist Lise Meitner, who worked with him for many years and played a fundamental role in his findings, did not receive a prize for her work. In addition to the awarding of prestigious prizes, the so-called gender citation gap is another example of the Matilda effect.
We want to draw attention to this effect as part of International Women’s Day (also known as Feminist Fight Day) on 8 March.
 
How are such phenomena visible in everyday life?
The Matilda effect can be observed in everyday life. In courses, lectures or meetings, women are denied their expertise significantly more often than men. They are interrupted, ignored, criticised and commented on more often than men – even if or precisely because they are experts (see for example MacNell, Driscoll & Hunt 2014 on the topic of teaching evaluations).
When these attacks come from people who occupy a ‘lower’ position in the organisation than the woman* concerned, we speak of academic contrapower harassment. In class, for example, this becomes apparent when students tend to behave disrespectfully towards their female lecturers, question their authority, argue against them or refuse to follow the rules communicated in the class (Lampman et al. 2016).
Of course, this can also have an impact on the people affected. They may question themselves more often or try to achieve even more. These effects become even clearer when looking at the intersection of gender and socio-economic family background. For example, female students who are the first in their family to study are less likely to consider themselves gifted than their fellow students. This has a direct impact on their future chances of success in their careers (Bauer & Job 2024).
 
How can we take action?
The first step is to make women* visible as experts – through public relations work, panel discussions and lectures, as teachers or in committees. For these purposes, the following databases on female experts or scientists can be consulted, for example:

 
Being an Ally and a Role Model:
What can I do as a teacher, colleague, fellow student or observer?

  • Draw attention to when women* or marginalised people receive less recognition or their contributions are overlooked.
  • Speak up when someone behaves disrespectfully.
  • Utilise privileges that we have due to origin, status or gender, etc., for example by creating space for others in decision-making or by supporting their contributions.
  • Help to create a good and respectful (class) atmosphere. Active listening is often enough – especially when others are not.

 
Be aware of your leadership role:

  • Speak up when such situations arise.
  • Refer to the code of conduct and rules of cooperation (or the plan for the advancement of women or equal opportunities)
  • Change the framework conditions, for example through using moderation methods or changing the spatial setting.

 
With the campaign “Youniversity: Celebrating diversity. Living respect.” the Equal Opportunities Working Group (AKG) of the University of Klagenfurt will focus on various diversity topics throughout the next two semesters. You can find more information on the campaign website.
Der Beitrag Women* in Science: the Matilda Effect erschien zuerst auf University of Klagenfurt.