Blind Scientists from Past to Present: snapshots of their lives and impact

This event will take place in person in Waterloo Bridge Wing G/8 and online. You can also register to receive the online meeting link.

In this seminar, Dr Michele Mele explores the stories of some remarkable scientists with low or no sight throughout history, highlighting their contributions to mathematics, physics, engineering, chemistry, entomology, medicine, pharmacology and assistive technologies.

These scientists' perspectives were not limited by a reliance on sight, as is often the case with sighted researchers. Instead, they utilized alternative methods to explore patterns that led to exceptional discoveries.

Their achievements and contributions highlight that inclusion in scientific research is vital for advancing society and deepening our understanding of the universe.

About the speaker

Dr. Michele Mele is a blind mathematician, research fellow in the Department of Engineering at the University of Sannio, Benevento, Italy. His research spans Combinatorial Optimization, Mathematics Education, and the History of Science, with a strong focus on accessibility and inclusion. He has been invited to be a speaker at the 2024 ReachSci Conference at the University of Cambridge and to give seminars on his research works at several institutions, including the University of Oxford, Northeastern University and the University of Florence. Moreover, he was invited to give a speech about the inclusive teaching of mathematics at the United Nations General Assembly in February 2024.

He has authored two multi-award winning books in which he reconstructs the lives and the achievements of blind and partially sighted scientists in history. In recognition of his contributions, Dr. Mele was awarded a knighthood by Italian President Sergio Mattarella in March 2024.