How Epstein’s influence shaped the exclusion of women in STEM

[frazzled1]

Released Epstein files show he used his power and money to keep women out of places where they might succeed. He was well connected to scientists at top universities who continued to associate with him after a 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution from a minor.

https://19thnews.org/2026/02/epstein-files-academic-research-women-scientists?fbclid=IwY2xjawQNdWlleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETF0NEs1MkhyNU9NNXRxT0JGc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHjmxDHB49CcYWmRftJKKqi88uDX9H_rNEaLFZ4HPEX3U4BN_iTqXKIiKbvt5_aem_Lg8wagYDzD5se4XojMbWVg

In 2018, an elite group of academics and scientists planned to gather for an exclusive retreat at a luxury farm in the woods of Connecticut. The guests had been hand-picked by prominent New York literary agent John Brockman, who frequently hosted similar salons for luminaries in science, technology and media.
The problem? Brockman had included two women on the list, and his staunch supporter and biggest funder wanted them out.
“John, the old conferences did not care about diversity. I suggest you not either,” Jeffrey Epstein wrote in response to an email about the programming. “The women are all weak, and a distraction sorry.”

Interesting. And it figures.

It must be difficult for a perv who's shoehorned his whole brain into drooling over fantasies to admit to himself that those vaginal support systems have lives, too.

MIT were all over him and his disgusting practices, letting him sit in on confidential meetings and give his opinions. This was after his conviction too.

That's one aspect which is particularly chilling. To be taken in by his superficial charm whilst being ignorant of his crimes is one thing, but to continue to give him room after his conviction - and a conviction for such hideous crimes - is unconscionable.

The scientists are awestruck by the money - labs always need more funds and rich potential donors get flattery. And this makes it clear that the misogyny affected everything Epstein did.