MINDtheGEPs inspired exhibition highlights forgotten explorers
An exhibition at the Società Geografica Italiana is drawing attention to the overlooked contributions of women in geographical exploration. The Women Explorers: Beyond Boundaries exhibition was inspired by the EU-funded MINDtheGEPs project.
The exhibition showcases the lives and work of women who, between the 19th and 20th centuries, defied societal expectations to travel, study, and document the world. Through original travel diaries, photographs, maps, and field notes, visitors are introduced to figures such as Ida Pfeiffer, Freya Stark, Mary Somerville, and Gertrude Bell—women whose contributions to geography, ethnography, and natural sciences have long been underrepresented in academic discourse.
Unlike many of their male contemporaries, these explorers focused on the social and cultural dimensions of the places they visited. Their work emphasized observation, empathy, and engagement with local communities - approaches that resonate with today’s calls for more inclusive and ethical research practices.
The exhibition also addresses the broader issue of archival silence - the absence of women’s voices in historical record - and aligns with MindTheGEPs’ mission to foster structural change in how knowledge is produced and valued. By recovering and presenting these stories, the exhibition contributes to a fairer understanding of scientific history.
