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Important women in science: Laura Bassi

 

Laura Bassi2"It took - and still takes - a lot for a woman to gain a place in the natural sciences"

 

As far as is known, Laura Bassi was the first female professor in Europe. Voor zover bekend was Laura Bassi de eerste vrouwelijke hoogleraar in Europa. In 1732 Bassi received her doctorate in natural sciences and joined the Academy of Sciences in Bologna. At that time, not all the learned gentlemen agreed, and despite the special chair that had been established for her, the University of Bologna only allowed her to appear on special occasions. To be able to teach (male) students and colleagues with impunity as a married woman, she conducted her research and teaching programme from home. Read the full story of Laura Bassi here in the NRC.