Conference by Catherine Goldstein and Clémence Perronnet

On April 4th, 2024, the Institute will host a conference featuring mathematician and historian of mathematics Catherine Goldstein, and sociologist Clémence Perronet. The focus will be on female role models and how they can, or cannot, contribute to advancing gender equality in the sciences. This event, entirely conducted in English, marks the arrival of the “Just Do Maths!” exhibition at the Marilyn & Jim Simons Conference Center at IHES.

In France, mathematics ranks among the least gender-equal disciplines in higher education and research. The book “Matheuses – Les filles, avenir des mathématiques” by Clémence Perronnet, Claire Marc, and Olga Paris-Romaskevich—with a preface by Catherine Goldstein— analyzes the causes of social inequalities in mathematics and highlights various means that could bring change.

During their presentation, Catherine Goldstein and Clémence Perronnet will draw on their research and focus on a specific chapter of the book that addresses the issue of role models in science. They will reflect on the place of women in the depiction of mathematics and on the conditions under which role models can effectively encourage the aspirations and career paths of female students.

In parallel to their talk, the “Just Do Maths!” exhibition will showcase portraits of women mathematicians working at Université Paris-Saclay. “Just Do Maths!” notably features Yilin Wang, a junior professor at IHES.

The program of the event is the following:

5:30 PM – Doors open

5:50 PM – Introductory remarks and welcome by Emmanuel Ullmo, Director of IHES

5:55 PM – Introductory remarks by Pierre Pansu, Director of Paris-Saclay’s Graduate School of Mathematics

6:00 PM – Conference by Catherine Goldstein and Clémence Perronnet

6:50 PM – Q&A

7:10 PM – Cocktail

The event will be moderated by Audrey Antoine, a student in the Applied Algebra master’s program at Université Paris-Saclay.

Participants will have the opportunity to purchase Matheuses – Les filles, avenir des mathématiques during the cocktail.

The event is free and open to all. RSVP here. To attend the event via Zoom, click here.