Women in Quantum Physics
Yesterday - Today - Tomorrow
Donnerstag, 27. November 2025 ab 18:20
Christian Doppler Hörsaal (1090 Wien, Boltzmanngasse 5, 3. Stock)
The year 2025, UN-declared International Year of Quantum Science and Technologies (IYQ, 2025) marks the centennial of quantum mechanics, a theory that has revolutionized scientific thinking and continues to amaze researchers and the general public.
We are delighted to invite you to this event at the Faculty of Physics to shed a light on the participation of women in the field of Quantum Physics - yesterday, today and tomorrow!
Program
| 18:20 | Welcome Words |
| 18:30 | Andrea Reichenberger (TUM): Women in the History of Quantum Physics Simone Rademacher (University of Munich): Numbers speak louder than words: A first approach to an evidence-based discussion about underrepresented groups in mathematical physics Francesca Ferlaino (University of Innsbruck/ÖAW): Empowering Women in Quantum Physics: Atom*innen Platform |
| 19:45 | Round Table with the speakers |
| 20:15 | Networking over drinks & snacks |
| 21:00 | End of the event |
Please register by 13.11.2025!
About the talks
Andrea Reichenberger (TUM): Women in the History of Quantum Physics
While the equal participation of highly qualified women in quantum physics and quantum technologies is recognized as a vital component of a sustainable and future-oriented development there is a limited number of well-founded studies on women's impact on the history of quantum physics. This presentation invites a re-evaluation of the history of quantum physics by highlighting the contributions of women and challenging prevailing gender stereotypes and their instrumentalization at the intersection of research practice, public perception, and social policy.
Simone Rademacher (University of Munich): Numbers speak louder than words: A first approach to an evidence-based discussion about underrepresented groups in mathematical physics
In recent years, the issue of diversity has become a topic of crucial interest, not only in industry but also in academia. In this talk, we continue the discussion on diversity within mathematical physics. Drawing on registration data from the International Congresses of Mathematical Physics between 2016 and 2021, we examine two dimensions of diversity: participants’ nationalities and gender. The talk is based on a joint article with Serena Cenatiempo.
Francesca Ferlaino (Universtät Innsbruck/ÖAW): Empowering Women in Quantum Physics: Atom*innen Platform
While the inclusion of women in quantum physics is widely recognized as crucial for the future of the field, taking practical steps to achieve it remains a challenge. In this talk, I introduce the Atom*innen Platform, an initiative aimed at fostering change and building a supportive community for women physicists across Europe. Moreover, I will also present Women for Quantum – Manifesto of Values, which outlines shared principles for inclusive practice. Finally, I will discuss how these projects translate ideas into action, creating concrete opportunities to empower women and shape a more equitable future in quantum physics.
About the speakers
Andrea Reichenberger
Foto: Andreas Heddergott /TUM
Andrea Reichenberger
Andrea Reichenberger is a philosopher and historian of science and technology with a strong focus on women and gender issues at the intersection of physics, mathematics, computing, and AI. She is currently PI of a DFG project at the Technical University of Munich TUM, examining the role of women in the history of quantum physics, with a particular focus on Grete Hermann (1901-1984), who built bridges between quantum physics, politics, and ethics. Previously, she was a substitute professor of the history of technology at TUM, a research group leader in the Department of Mathematics at the University of Siegen, and a postdoctoral researcher at the Center for the History of Women Philosophers and Scientists (HWPS) at Paderborn University.
Simone Rademacher
Foto: LMU Munich
Simone Rademacher
Simone Rademacher is a mathematical physicist currently working at University Munich. She completed her Bachelor’s degree in Physics at the University of Leipzig, her Master’s degree in Theoretical and Mathematical Physics at University Munich, and received her PhD in 2019 from the University of Zurich. She then worked as a postdoctoral researcher at ISTA Austria and as an interim professor at University Munich. In 2025, she received offers for full professorships at the Universities of Gießen and Mannheim, and in 2026 she will take up the Chair of Analysis at the University of Mannheim. Simone Rademacher is a founding member and the current president of the Association of Women in Mathematical Physics.
Francesca Ferlaino
(c) Martin Vandory
Francesca Ferlaino
After her study and some years of research in Italy (Naples, Trieste and Florence) Francesca Ferlaino moved to Innsbruck, Austria in 2007, first as a visiting scholar, then as Lise Meitner fellow. Since 2014, Ferlaino is Full Professor at the University of Innsbruck and Scientific Director at the Institute for Quantum Optics and Quantum Information (IQOQI) of the Austrian Academy of Science (ÖAW). During the last years, she was awardee of numerous prestigious prizes and distinctions, including the Feltrinelli prize, the Alexander-von-Humboldt Professorship, the Science Prize of the City of Innsbruck, the Ignaz L. Lieben Prize, and the Fritz-Kohlrausch Prize for experimental physics. In addition, she received the START Prize, one ERC-Starting, one ERC-Consolidator grant and one ERC-Advanced grant. She is co-initiator of Women for Quantum - Manifesto of Values and founder of the international platform Atom*innen.
Please be aware that by participating you agree to follow the Code of Conduct and House Rules by the University of Vienna!
In case you have any questions or comments please feel free to contact brigitte.bischof@univie.ac.at.