On the occasion of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, the Department of Physics and Astronomy presents Hidden Variables. Women in Physics Beyond the Footnote, an exhibition project that invites a critical re-reading of the history of science and an examination of the mechanisms through which scientific recognition has been constructed, transmitted and, at times, denied.
For centuries, the history of physics has been told as a linear succession of great men and isolated discoveries. This project sets out to challenge that narrative by bringing to light fundamental contributions that transformed physics, astronomy, mathematics and related sciences, yet long remained at the margins of the official account.
The exhibition takes as its starting point the concept of the Matilda Effect, which describes the systematic undervaluation of scientific work carried out by women, often attributed to others or recognised only belatedly. Through texts and visual materials, Hidden Variables does not simply aim to “add missing names”, but rather to question who has historically been authorised to observe, interpret and be believed in the production of scientific knowledge.
The graphic design adopts a deliberately bold and pop-inspired visual language. This choice is intentional and conceptually grounded: by embracing vivid colours, strong contrasts, and an immediately recognisable aesthetic, the project establishes a visual counterpoint to the very notion of “hidden variables”. What is conceptually concealed is rendered visually explicit. The stylistic tension between content and form is designed to provoke curiosity, challenge expectations, and make the underlying scientific reflection more accessible. Rather than illustrating invisibility through visual restraint, the design affirms that what is hidden in theory can — and should — be brought into the open through clarity, energy, and communicative confidence.
From February 11, the exhibition - presented in English - can be visited at via Irnerio 46, in the right-hand corridor leading towards the Aula Magna, and at the Navile campus, thus occupying two everyday transitional spaces where scientific narratives intersect with the life of the Department.
The initiative is promoted by the Department of Physics and Astronomy’s Working Group on Equal Opportunities and Inclusion and is dedicated to the memory of our dear colleague Silvia Arcelli.
