CfP: Women in Science: historical perspectives, Royal Society, 18 November 2025
A conference taking place on Tuesday 18 November 2025 at the Royal Society, 6-9 Carlton House Terrace, SW1 5YAG, London.
9.30 am – 5.00 pm
Deadline for submissions: 30 June 2025
March 2025 began the 80th anniversary year of the election of the first two female Fellows of the Royal Society – Kathleen Lonsdale and Marjory Stephenson. This anniversary year is being marked by a series of events looking at the past, present, and future of women in the scientific community. These will include a one-day history of science conference on 18 November 2025 and a two-day contemporary event in early 2026.
For the historical section of this activity in November, we are interested in new research that reflects on contributions, exclusions and collaborations between women collectors, researchers and illustrators from the seventeenth century to the twentieth century. We envisage a half-day on earlier periods, followed by a half-day on nineteenth- and twentieth-century scientists that will pay particular attention to female Fellows of the Royal Society, candidates for Fellowship (actual and potential), those who published or exhibited at the Society, or those supported by Royal Society research grants. However, material reflecting on any aspect of women in science will be considered.
We welcome proposals for 15- to 20-minute papers on themes related to scientific women, including:
- ‘Hidden’ or underappreciated individual figures in the history of science.
- Intellectual networks, salons or societies led by women, whether local, national, or international.
- Unrecognised contributions by the wives, sisters and daughters of male Fellows of the Royal Society.
- The Royal Society’s own involvement in including or excluding women from scientific careers.
- The role of twentieth-century women in STEM in gaining recognition and status both for their own contributions to science and those of other women.
Please submit proposals (not exceeding 300 words, including a biographical note of c.50 words) for 15- to 20-minute papers to library@royalsociety.org by Monday 30 June 2025, with the subject line ‘proposal for conference paper’.
Financial support will be available, based on need, to help speakers cover expenses related to attendance, including accommodation, transport and care costs. We welcome papers from speakers at all stages of research careers.