Just before Christmas, Dr Kate Kirkpatrick, Fellow in Philosophy (and the beautiful Regent’s Library!) featured in a documentary for ARTE – L’Europe au féminin / Europas starke Frauen / Female Power: Europe’s Strong Women.

‘Europe is said to be named after a woman: Europa, a Phoenician princess in Greek mythology. Yet, from its mythological origins to the political present, the history of Europe has been told almost exclusively as a narrative by men and about men – until now.’

The three-part series follows the careers of twelve strong, influential European women from different nationalities and backgrounds. British Director, Clare Walding, mixes prominent names with less-known personalities, each of them having shaped the development of Europe through her work.

Although these women operated from positions of power – in politics and business – their experiences are representative of those of many women across Europe: the obstacles they faced and the hurdles they had to overcome on the path to participation are strikingly similar.

Dr Kirkpatrick was interviewed at Regent’s for episode 3, which features a segment on Simone de Beauvoir, on whom Dr Kirkpatrick has published extensively. All three episodes premiered on Arte in France and Germany on Tuesday 17 December 2024.