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The Matilda Effect refers to a systematic bias by which women's contributions to science are denied or minimized, with their work often attributed to male colleagues. This phenomenon was formalized by historian of science Margaret W. Rossiter in 1993 to highlight a persistent injustice in the scientific world. The name honors Matilda Joslyn Gage, an American suffragist and abolitionist who had already identified this type of bias as early as 1870.
In her essay Woman as Inventor, published that year, Matilda Joslyn Gage wrote: "The inventions and discoveries of women have been so numerous and important, yet in almost every case they have been attributed to men." Her observation, made over a century ago, remains strikingly relevant today, illustrating the difficulty women face in obtaining equal recognition in scientific and technical fields.
The Matilda Effect fits into a broader dynamic of academic and social recognition. It is closely related to the Matthew Effect, identified by sociologist Robert K. Merton, whereby already famous or influential scientists receive more credit for contributions similar to those of lesser-known researchers. The Matilda Effect adds a gender dimension: even when women originate major discoveries, their role is often eclipsed by male colleagues, sometimes for institutional reasons and sometimes due to deeply rooted cultural stereotypes.
This bias can take many forms: women scientists are sometimes excluded from publications, denied co-authorship, awards, or prestigious nominations. Their work may be portrayed as secondary or complementary, even when it is central to the research. Contemporary studies have shown that these tendencies persist across many fields, from physics to biology, and help explain the underrepresentation of women in certain disciplines and in academic leadership positions.
The Matilda Effect has been highlighted in famous cases, such as Mileva Marić, Albert Einstein's first wife, whose role in work on relativity remains debated but illustrates the kind of female scientific contribution often invisible in history. Other historical examples include Rosalind Franklin, whose work was crucial to the discovery of DNA's structure but whose recognition was long eclipsed by male colleagues.
Understanding the Matilda Effect allows us not only to revisit the history of science from a fairer perspective but also to reflect on contemporary mechanisms of discrimination and recognition within the scientific community. Bringing these biases to light helps create more equitable research environments and fully acknowledge women's contributions to major scientific discoveries.
Of the more than 900 scientific Nobel Prizes awarded since 1901, fewer than 4% have been given to women. Among these rare laureates, several documented cases show that other women scientists were excluded while their contributions were essential to the discovery being recognised.
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