Abstract
While museums of science and technology increasingly acknowledge women’s contributions, the challenge of equitable representation persists. This paper examines the Frauengalerie at the Technical Museum of Vienna as a starting point for analyzing broader systemic issues in how women’s roles in STEM are curated. Though the gallery highlights notable female figures, its structure - disconnected from the main exhibition and reliant on static displays - reflects common pitfalls in gender-focused initiatives. By contrasting this approach with the Canada Science and Technology Museum’s participatory model, which actively collaborates with women in STEM fields to shape narratives, this study identifies key barriers to meaningful inclusion, such as collection biases, gendered assumptions about technology, and the marginalization of women’s professional histories. The analysis draws on feminist museology and public history to propose pathways for museums to move beyond isolated “women’s galleries” and instead integrate gender perspectives throughout their collections. The Canadian case demonstrates how community engagement, critical object selection, and thematic storytelling can reframe women not as exceptions but as integral to technological progress. Rather than focusing solely on historical figures, this approach connects past achievements to contemporary voices, fostering a more dynamic and inclusive dialogue with visitors. This paper argues that science museums have an opportunity and a responsibility to rethink representation by addressing institutional blind spots and adopting more collaborative curation methods. By doing so, they can better serve as spaces where diverse audiences see themselves reflected in the narratives of innovation.
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Gender representation, Science and technology museums, Feminist museology, Public history
