Le scienziate nei movimenti antinucleari e ambientalisti durante la guerra fredda

Abstract

During the Cold War, women scientists (mostly physicists, biologists, radioecologists) had a crucial role in promoting national and inter/transnational forms of activism against nuclear war and nuclear facilities. Through their research, they highlighted the health effects nuclear testing, explosions and power plants had on people’s health and the natural environment. They used their studies to inform citizens, and mobilized around antinuclear, pacifist and, increasingly, environmental movements. By doing so, they also carried out a strong feminist critique of the “neutrality” of science, linking their pacifist and environmental activism to the challenge of gender forms of discrimination in scientific institutions. The chapter will provide examples from specific national cases, while at the same time highlighting the inter/transnational forms of activism, collaboration and exchange carried out by women scientists