Science, mathematics, gender diversity
Cédric Villani, mathematician, member of the French Academy of Sciences, former member of the French National Assembly, Sept. 2026
On the occasion of his visit to Télécom Paris for the conference “Mathematics, Science, and Equality: What Role for Women?,” organized by Télécom Paris’s Social and Ecological Transition Center in collaboration with the Blaise Pascal Foundation, Cédric Villani granted us an interview focused on the role of women in science.
Interview in French with English subtitles
Pour afficher ce contenu, merci d’accepter les cookies des vidéos Youtube.To display this content, please accept third party cookies for Youtube videos.
Video Michel Desnoues
How can we remove the barriers that still keep women from pursuing mathematics and scientific careers? In an interview conducted ahead of his lecture at Télécom Paris, Cédric Villani calls for action to address prejudice, career guidance, and self-censorship. With the release of this video, his remarks shed light on the initiatives undertaken by the school, particularly by its Social and Ecological Transition (TSE) division.
“Don’t hold yourselves back, and don’t underestimate yourselves.” Cédric Villani’s message to young women is straightforward. It comes with a collective call to action: to transform the environments in which scientific ambitions are nurtured. Invited to Télécom Paris, a higher education and scientific research institution, for the conference “Mathematics, Science, Equality” on September 14, 2026, the mathematician explores the conditions necessary for women to participate more equitably in the sciences. The interview conducted prior to this meeting outlines the main issues at stake.
