EA Book+ Discussions: Invisible Women
- Date
- 2025-04-12
- Location
- Bruxelles, Bruxelles, Belgium
- Host
- Effective Altruism Belgium
About this event
Data shapes the world around us, but whose data gets counted—and whose gets missed? In this edition of EA Book+ Discussions, we’ll explore Invisible Women, a book that examines how data gaps can systematically overlook women’s experiences and needs. If you want a thoughtful, grounded conversation about evidence, bias, and real-world impact, this meetup is built for that kind of discussion. About the Event EA Book+ Discussions is an in-person gathering for people who want to think carefully about important ideas and discuss them with others in a friendly, curious setting. This session focuses on Invisible Women, a widely discussed book about gender data gaps and the consequences of designing systems, policies, and products around incomplete information. This is not a lecture or a panel. The format is discussion-based, which means the value comes from people bringing their own questions, reactions, disagreements, and examples. You do not need to be an expert on gender, policy, or data analysis to participate well; what matters most is a willingness to engage seriously and respectfully with the topic. The Book+ format is especially useful for topics like this one because it creates space to move beyond headlines and into substance. Rather than treating the book as a fixed set of conclusions, the conversation can examine what claims feel convincing, what evidence seems strongest, where people want more nuance, and what practical implications follow. Because this event is hosted within the EA Brussels community, the discussion is also a chance to connect the book’s themes to broader questions many attendees care about: how to reason well under uncertainty, how to notice neglected problems, and how to improve decision-making using better evidence. What to Expect Expect a structured but relaxed conversation with room for both big-picture ideas and concrete examples. The meetup will likely work best as a group discussion rather than a one-way presentation, with attendees sharing reflections on the book and exploring where its arguments intersect with policy, design, health, work, and everyday life. You can expect the conversation to touch on questions like: What kinds of data gaps does the book highlight, and why do they matter? How do missing or biased datasets lead to worse decisions? Which examples feel most compelling, surprising, or actionable? Where should we be careful about overgeneralizing from the book’s claims? What would better measurement and more inclusive design look like in practice? There will also be space for a range of participation styles. You might want to speak often, offer one or two considered comments, or mostly listen and follow the discussion. A good meetup makes room for all three. Because this is an in-person event, part of the value is the social layer around the discussion itself. You’ll have the chance to meet others in Brussels who are interested in careful thinking, meaningful conversation, and topics at the intersection of evidence and social impact. Why Attend This event is a good fit if you enjoy discussions that are intellectually serious without becoming abstract for the sake of it. Invisible Women raises questions that cut across public policy, workplace norms, research practices, and product design, making it a strong basis for a conversation that is both analytical and practical. You may come away with a clearer sense of how data gaps operate in the real world—not just as technical issues, but as patterns that shape institutions and outcomes. That can sharpen how you think about fairness, prioritization, and what good evidence actually requires. It is also a useful setting for testing your own views. Perhaps you strongly agree with the book’s framing, or perhaps you are curious but skeptical about parts of it. A well-run discussion helps people refine their thinking by hearing informed perspectives they would not generate on their own. Beyond the topic itself, this is a straightforward way to meet thoughtful people in the EA Brussels community. If you value conversations that go beyond small talk and into real substance, this meetup offers a natural setting to build those connections. Practical Details This is an in-person event in Bruxelles, Belgium, taking place on Saturday, April 12 at 3:00 PM GMT+2. The in-person format makes it easier to have a dynamic conversation, pick up on nuance, and get to know other attendees before and after the discussion. If you have read the full book, you’ll likely get the most out of the conversation—but you do not need to arrive with polished opinions. If you have only read part of it, or you mainly know the core ideas and want to engage thoughtfully, this can still be a worthwhile event. A few useful ways to prepare: Bring one or two passages, claims, or examples you want to discuss Think about where the book felt strongest and where you wanted more evidence or nuance Come ready to listen as well as contribute Be open to connecting the book’s arguments to broader questions about evidence and decision-making If this topic has been on your reading list, this meetup is a strong reason to finally engage with it. And if you are looking for a discussion that is serious, welcoming, and anchored in a concrete text, EA Book+ Discussions: Invisible Women should be a very good use of your Saturday afternoon.
Who should attend
This will likely feel like a strong fit if you enjoy thoughtful discussion and want to explore a serious idea with other curious people in Brussels. - You’ve read *Invisible Women* and want a place to discuss its arguments, evidence, and implications in more depth. - You’re interested in how data, measurement, and research practices shape real-world decisions—and where blind spots can cause harm. - You like book discussions that go beyond summaries and get into disagreement, nuance, and practical consequences. - You’re part of the EA Brussels community, or EA-adjacent, and want to meet people who care about careful reasoning and social impact. - You work or study in fields like policy, research, design, health, tech, or social issues and want to think more clearly about bias in systems. - You don’t need to be an expert, but you do want a respectful, substantive conversation rather than a purely social meetup.