Churchill Archives Centre, Meitner Papers, MTNR 8/4/1

Lise Meitner Symposium - Celebrating a scientist who never lost her humanity.

Mon 28 January 2019

Churchill College

Last year marked the 140th anniversary of the birth, and the 50th anniversary of the death, of a remarkable woman of science. Lise Meitner was the second woman with a doctorate in physics in Vienna and the first full female professor of physics in Germany, and this year marks eighty ears since her role in helping to discover nuclear fission.

To celebrate, explore and debate Meitner’s remarkable life and legacy, Churchill Archives Centre is holding a one-day symposium. It will feature three panels that will examine her scientific achievements and her political significance. This was a scientist who faced exclusion on grounds of gender and race, and who refused to contribute to research into a nuclear bomb.

Panellists will include Dr Graham Farmelo, David Rennert, Professor Ruth Lewin Sime, Dr Annette Vogt, Professor Dame Athene Donald, Georgina Ferry, Professor Valerie Gibson, Professor Heinz-Eberhard Mahnke, Tanja Traxler, Dr Helen Curry, Dr Jessica Wade, Stefan Frankenberger and Sandra Schüddekopf.

Allen Packwood, Director of the Churchill Archives Centre said: “Lise Meitner is an often forgotten figure. But her life was truly ground breaking, and it is very appropriate to be celebrating it here in Cambridge, where she lived in retirement. The Archives Centre is proud to have her papers, including her correspondence with Einstein and the other great scientists of the twentieth century.”

As part of the symposium, portraittheater will present Curie_Meitner_Lamarr_indivisible. The play will tell of Marie Curie’s, Lise Meitner’s and Hedy Lamarr’s achievements, their struggles and their passion for their work. Directed by Sandra Schüddekopf, with Anita Zieher playing the three women. Curie_Meitner_Lamarr_indivisible will be performed at 7.30pm in the Wolfson Hall, Churchill College. All tickets to the symposium will allow free admission to the play. Free tickets are also available for the play only.

Attendance at the symposium and tea/coffee are free. Lunch and dinner will be available to purchase in Churchill College.

Cost: Free