Public Talks 2025 - Academia and In/Equality

Venue and Registration

The lectures take place in lecture hall 2 of the UZA II (Eduard Suess lecture hall, 2A122 - level 1 in the "Geozentrum" near exit A), interested parties are cordially invited. Two lectures will also be streamd - if you would like to participate online, please register beforehand; we will send you the link to the stream by e-mail in due time before the start of the event.

Speakers and Abstracts

Mo, 24.03.2025, 15:00: Brigitte Bischof

Naturwissenschafterinnen in Wien in der ersten Hälfte des 20. Jahrhunderts, biografische Skizzen und allgemeine Entwicklungen

  • Brigitte Bischof (LV-Leiterin)

  • Abstract: Der Vortrag widmet sich Naturwissenschafterinnen in Wien aus historischer Perspektive. Die Entwicklung des Frauenstudiums in den Naturwissenschaften an der Universität Wien und einzelne Vertreterinnen - von den ersten Absolventinnen bis zur ersten Universtitätsprofessorin – werden vorgestellt. Möglichkeiten und Grenzen der Wissenschafterinnen, sowie Trends und Entwicklungen werden beleuchtet.

  • Brigitte Bischof is a graduate physicist, freelance researcher (history of physics and women in science), lecturer in the field of gender studies in STEM, and diversity coordinator at the Faculty of Physics.
    Vortrag auf Deutsch!

  • Venue: Lecture Hall 2, UZA II, Floor 1, 2A122

Mo, 28.04.2025, 15:00: Holly J. Stein

Why universities are breeding grounds for bully behavior -- the view from within

  • Holly J. Stein, Founding member of the Committee for Equality, Diversity, Inclusion of the European Geosciences Union

    In cooperation with the EGU and the Culture and Equality Unit of the University of Vienna
  • Abstract: If the halls and walls of hallowed institutions could talk what a story they could tell. The academic setting is ripe with persons who are insecure and, as such, they develop enormous egos which are fronted as exceptional intellect.  When such persons are given (even lowly) positions of authority, their insecurity causes them to shift away from building productive careers in science and teaching, and instead toward finding ways to assure others are unable to perform. That is, bring the competition down by threats and instilling fear, so that by buoyancy their empty eggshell egos hand them their perceived rise in status. Sadly, such emperors with no clothes are generally seen by all, but in the all-too-common dysfunctional university setting, few fail to act on behalf of victims in plain sight for fear of retaliation and retribution.

  • Prof. Dr. Stein's career started in the mineral industry and includes stints at the US Geological Survey, Colorado State University where she founded the legendary AIRIE Program, the University of Oslo, Norway, where since 2025 she holds emerita status, and now a successful start-up company that she describes as a hybrid of academia and applied technology for the industry.  She has garnered awards for unusually creative science and innovative applications.  Known for her passion for both the arts and the sciences, she started her career as a cellist before taking up geology-geochemistry full time.
  • Venue: Lecture Hall 2, UZA II, Floor 1, 2A122 & online
  • To registration for the online talk

Mo, 12.05.2025, 15:00: Sylvia Kirchengast

Wie wird Geschlecht und die Unterscheidung Sex / Gender aus biologischer Perspektive diskutiert?

  • Sylvia Kirchengast (Department für Evolutionäre Anthropologie der Universität Wien)

  • Abstract: Die Begriffe Sex und Gender werden sowohl aus wissenschaftlicher als auch aus sozialer Perspektive heiß diskutiert. In diesem Beitrag soll die Sicht der evolutionären Humanbiologie thematisiert werden.

  • Sylvia Kirchengast, Biologin und Kulturanthropologin, a.o. Universitätsprofessorin für Evolutionäre Anthropologie an der Universität Wien mit Forschungsschwerpunkt Geschlechterforschung und Human life history

  • Venue: Lecture Hall 2, UZA II, Floor 2, 2A211

26.05.2025, 15:00: Adrienne Traxler

Networks of survival and support: Reflections of LGBTQ physicists and astronomers

  • Adrienne Traxler (University of Copenhagen)

  • Abstract: Professional networks are linked to career success across many fields.
    Although research exists about these networks of women, results are sparse for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) people. Though past network analyses have not focused on physics and astronomy careers, other studies have highlighted the challenges faced by women and by LGBTQ+ scientists in these fields. In this project, we interviewed 100 physics or astronomy PhD holders in the United States who identified as women, LGBTQ+, or both. Participants described how they developed their networks and the types of professional and personal support (e.g. instrumental, emotional, navigating job changes, mentor figures) that they developed. We found that graduate school was a place where many participants’ gender or LGBTQ+ identities were invisible, ignored, or disparaged. They drew on a range of support ties to ultimately achieve success in their careers, and I will discuss emerging themes and the intertwining of identity-based support with other forms.
    There is a need for continuing resources to help new scientists build diverse professional networks.

  • Adrienne Traxler is an Associate Professor in the Department of Science Education at the University of Copenhagen. Her research focuses on university physics learning environments, as well as other science education contexts. She uses network analysis to model student collaborations and mixed methods to study gender equity issues.

  • Venue: Lecture Hall 2, UZA II, Floor 1, 2A122 & Online-Stream (Please register for online-participation here)

Mo, 02.06.2025, 15:00: Waltraud Schlögl

STEM at the University of Vienna: Data and Analysis in the Context of Gendered Societal Expectations and Gender based Employment Segregation (Vortrag auf Deutsch!)

  • Waltraud Schlögl (Abteilung für Organisationskultur und Gleichstellung, Universität Wien)
    Lecture in German!

  • Abstract: The lecture will provide an insight into the current gender distribution among students und academic staff in the fields of STEM at the University of Vienna. The data will be contexualized with gendered societal expectations and beliefs (e.g. “brilliance” versus “diligence”) and the different evaluation of female dominated and male dominated branches. More about Waltraud Schlögl (u:find)

  • Venue: Lecture Hall 2, UZA II, Floor 1, 2A122

Mo, 16.06.2025, 15:00: Gender & Diversity Team FGGA

Presentation & discussion

  • The Gender and Diversity team of the Faculty presents current projects and initiatives and looks forward to a discussion!

  • Venue: Lecture Hall 2, UZA II, Floor 1, 2A122