Physicist Defends Dress Amidst Science Scrutiny
Taormina Ceremony Sparks Debate on Appearance vs. Intellect
A nuclear physicist turned science communicator faced online backlash over her attire while acting as godmother at a university graduation, igniting a fierce debate about appearance and professional credibility.
Targeted for Style Choices
Gabriella Greison, known for her engaging presentations on quantum physics, shared her experience after being invited to the University of Messina’s degree ceremony in Taormina. She was subsequently targeted by detractors criticizing her clothing choices.
“Summary for those who were not there. Yesterday I made a video, while I said that I was leaving to go for the godmother to the delivery of the degrees to the Taormina theater, and I had a fresh sculpted dress, because there were 44 degrees. It seems it was a scandal.”
—Gabriella Greison
Greison noted the irony of the criticism, highlighting her speech’s focus on themes of freedom, choice, and the future, rather than trivial matters like fashion sales.
Science and Style: An Unlikely Conflict?
The scientist pushed back against those who questioned her appearance on stage, emphasizing that her invitation did not come with unspoken sartorial mandates.
“When they asked me to make the godmother at the most beautiful degree ceremony in Italy, They didn’t tell me ‘I also bring a rigid collar and a 50s moralist in bags’ with you, right? I brought my voice, my brain and a nice speech to keep everyone glued, and I started with A summer green dress who put me joy… and he also put it to those around. And we are in 2025. That is: the world burns, the glaciers melt, artificial intelligence reads us in thought … Is it a woman who talks about science with a nice décolleté? But seriously?”
—Gabriella Greison
She elaborated on the core of the criticism: a woman discussing complex scientific concepts like the wave function and Schrödinger’s cat without adhering to perceived traditional or modest expectations.
Decorum Defined by Content, Not Cloth
Greison asserted that dignity is not dictated by a specific outfit and urged critics to engage their intellect rather than focus on superficial details.
“There is no dress code for dignity. And if you are looking for decency in a centimeter of fabric, instead of in the content of the words, I recommend an experiment: try using the brain and to position you in the current year, with all the struggles that have been made by those before me. It’s hot, but it still works.”
—Gabriella Greison
She questioned whether the thousands of graduating women faced similar career preclusions, sharing photos of positive interactions with students who sought her out after her address.
Confronting Hateful Remarks
Among the negative comments **Greison** received was one that suggested age was prompting her to make a final display. She powerfully countered this.
“I only tell you one thing: they are not fireworks. They have well-direct nuclear explosions. And no, they are not “the last”. They are the right ones, at the right time.”
—Gabriella Greison
Globally, women in STEM fields continue to champion representation, with efforts like the UN’s “#WomenInScience” initiative aiming to break down stereotypes and encourage participation. In 2023, women comprised approximately 33% of scientific researchers worldwide, a number steadily increasing (Source: UNESCO Science Report, 2023).
