The History of Women in Physics, A Look into the Past and the Present:

Written By: Jasmine Grewal

Chances are, you have come across the iconic “most intelligent photo” ever taken, featuring some of the greatest physicists in history. This image, taken at the 1927 Solvay Conference, is striking and thought-provoking, but with it featuring just one woman - Marie S. Curie, it raises a compelling question: Where were the women in physics?

The history of women in physics is not a simple one - it  is a narrative of perseverance, brilliance, and breaking barriers in a male-dominated field. In this blog post, I explore the journey of women in physics, from the past to the present.

Historically, women in physics faced institutional barriers - ranging from restricted access to education to limited professional opportunities. Due to these challenges, women who otherwise would have been recognised as brilliant scientists, were forced to work in the shadows or in supporting roles despite their significant contributions. 

Such examples include Lise Meitner - a physicist who played a key role in the discovery of nuclear fission. Despite her contributions, she was overlooked for the Nobel Prize, which was awarded to her collaborator Otto Hahn. In his acceptance speech, Hahn merely referred to Meitner as merely a lab partner, not even naming her. In spite of this, she continued to contribute to the field of nuclear physics and advocated for women’s inclusion in science.

Similar is the case of Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin, who made groundbreaking contributions to our understanding of stars, showing that they are primarily composed of hydrogen and helium; her thesis was initially rejected, but later recognized as revolutionary.

However, even with these barriers, there were still pioneers who transcended the boundaries.

One of the biggest pioneers in science - Marie Curie, broke barriers and became the first person to win a Nobel prize twice, and the only person to win them in two different scientific fields - Physics and Chemistry. Her groundbreaking research on radioactivity not only saved countless lives, but also paved the way for future generations of women in science. It is vital to note that ​​for her first Nobel prize, Marie Curie shared the prize with her husband, Pierre Curie, and with the other discoverer of radioactivity, Henri Bequerel. Originally, the Nobel committee had only selected Pierre Curie -  but he refused to accept the prize without proper acknowledgement of Marie’s contribution. This highlights the critical role of using one's privilege to liberate and uplift others - and how vital that is in establishing change. 

Another such woman is Emmy Noether’s, whose contributions to theoretical physics and algebra are monumental. Despite being denied enrollment in college due to the fact that she was a woman, she instead audited classes in math. Her work on Noether's Theorem fundamentally changed the way we understand the laws of conservation in physics. Despite her brilliance, much of her work was unpaid, and most of her positions unofficial.

These women undoubtedly opened doors for women in physics. The mid-20th century saw an increase in female physicists, aided by movements advocating for gender equality and the introduction of more inclusive educational practices. 

Today, women like Fabiola Gianotti, the first female Director-General of CERN, and Jocelyn Bell Burnell, who discovered pulsars, continue to shape the field of physics, and continue inspiring a new generation of female physicists. 

Although a tremendous improvement has been made in terms of opportunities for women in physics - a gap still remains: Women earn about 20% of physics bachelor’s degrees in the U.S., a figure that has remained relatively stable over the past decade, and women hold approximately 16% of physics faculty positions, indicating a significant gap in leadership roles.

It is to be noted that studies find no link between gender and Physics course performance, as can be referenced by this comprehensive study conducted by Texas A&M. https://stories.tamu.edu/news/2021/03/04/texas-am-study-finds-no-link-between-gender-and-physics-course-performance/#:~:text=Science%20%26%20Tech-,Texas%20A%26M%20Study%20Finds%20No%20Link%20Between%20Gender%20And%20Physics,that%20harm%20women%20in%20STEM.

While there are efforts for improvement underway - with initiatives such as ‘Women in Physics Group’ working to address these disparities and offering advocacy and mentorship, it is crucial to keep recognising and naming the innovations and contributions made by women in physics, both past and present. 

Let us all look to a future with an equitable physics community, where students are taught about female physicists, and where the achievements of women in physics and their stories are not just a part of history, but also a foundational part of the present and future.