Lise Meitner

Lise Meitner was a pioneering physicist and the first woman to hold a physics professorship in Germany. Her work centered on nuclear physics, radioactivity, and the discovery of nuclear fission, though she was excluded from the Nobel Prize awarded to Otto Hahn for this achievement. Forced to flee Nazi Germany in 1938, she continued her research in Sweden. The Free University of Berlin honored her legacy with an interdisciplinary lecture series in 2018/19, exploring her scientific contributions and cultural impact, including a theatrical portrayal of her life and career.

• Affiliations: Historical affiliation with Berlin-Dahlem (Kaiser Wilhelm Institute) and honored by the Free University of Berlin with an honorary doctorate.
• Key Events: Lecture series on her research in beta decay, transuranic elements, and her role in nuclear fission studies.

Her research interests spanned foundational aspects of nuclear physics, including neutron behavior, radioactive decay mechanisms, and the theoretical underpinnings of modern nuclear science. The Free University’s tribute also highlighted her interdisciplinary legacy through art, science, and historical analysis.

• Recognition: Honorary doctorate from the Free University of Berlin, posthumous commemorations in scientific and artistic works.