Edited by Meredith K. Ray (University of Delaware) and Natacha Fabbri (Museo Galileo)
Submission deadlines 1 May 2024 (abstract) | 1 May 2025 (article)
Publica tion date October 2025
Journal section: Focus [read the section policies | submit]
The aim of this call is to address the pivotal, though often overlooked, r ole of women in shaping the landscape of early modern scientific inquiry, b roadly construed. In early modern Europe, as debates over women’s intellect ual equality raged, scientific expertise became intertwined with q uerelle des femmes literary production on the dignity of women, a nd women themselves became increasingly frequent participants in scientific discussions. Early efforts to bring visibility to the female presence in s cientific culture date back to the 16th- and 17th-century catalogues of exc eptional women, which were issued in specific volumes or included in philos ophical and literary writings that questioned traditional gender roles.
Following significant historiographical contributions published over the last twenty years that has broadened our understanding of the scope and na ture of women’s scientific activity, this special issue aims to focus on th e wider engagement of women in empirical research and discussions of natura l philosophy in and beyond Europe, including, but not limited to, such area s as alchemy, astronomy, medicine, and botany. We are also interested in wo men’s activity in the material culture of science: as producers, retailers, and users of scientific instruments, as well as in the intersections of ge nder and science with literary culture. The absence of women in professiona l spaces and the difficulties they faced in gaining public recognition for their research prompt us to turn toward the analysis of a more expansive ar ray of sources, such as manuscripts, recipes, private and diplomatic corres pondences, books of secrets, everyday domestic practices, as well as report s of women’s involvement in oral debates and exchanges. We welcome submissi ons that explore these topics from different theoretical frameworks, cultur es, and disciplines; that critically analyze the socio-cultural constraints and challenges faced by women pursuing scientific endeavors in the early m odern period; or that address the diverse strategies employed by early mode rn women to overcome barriers to scientific activity.
Topics may incl ude, but are not limited to:
Abstracts must include the author’s/co-authors’ name(s), affiliation(s), and email address (es), in addition to a brief CV.
Authors are expected to submit 300-w
ord abstracts in English by 1 May 2024 to Meredi
th Ray (
Selected contributors will be noti fied by the end of May 2024.
Authors are expected to submit their art icles in English by 1 May 2025 via the journal w ebsite at: gal-studies.museogalileo.it.
For more info, visit the web site.