The Lost Legacies of Women in Psychology

When we think of famous psychologists, names like Sigmund Freud, Ivan Pavlov, Carl Jung or Jean Piaget often come to mind. But these aren’t the only people who shaped psychology – and they’re not even the whole story. In this talk, award-winning psychologist Dr Madeleine Pownall introduces her new book Absent Minds, revealing the women who overcame systemic barriers to shape the field. From pioneers like Mary Whiton Calkins, who was denied her PhD despite groundbreaking research; Mamie Phipps Clark, whose work helped challenge racial segregation in the US; and Beatrice Edgell, whose work radically transformed our understanding of how children learn and retain knowledge. Whether you’re new to psychology or already fascinated by the human mind, this event offers a fresh and surprising look at the women who shaped it.