Time to Act: Institutional Pathways to Addressing Gender-Based Violence
26 January 2027 at the Central European University, Viena, Austria
Across Europe, a growing number of higher education and research organisations are redefining what safe and inclusive academic environments should look like. Yet gender-based violence continues to affect students, researchers, and staff, reminding us that change, while underway, must accelerate and become systemic.
The final conference of the GenderSAFE project is a call to action. Bringing together stakeholders from across the European Research Area, it creates a space to share experiences, spark ideas, and strengthen the collective resolve to prevent and address gender-based violence in higher education and research.
At the heart of the conference is a simple but powerful message: every institution must act. Whether at an early stage or already advancing comprehensive strategies, all higher education and research organisations have a role to play in driving change. Through inspiring keynote insights and dynamic panel discussions, participants will discover practices that work, hear from those who have led change in challenging contexts, and explore how to adapt these approaches to their own realities.
The programme will openly address the challenges institutions face, from resistance and limited resources to gaps in policy implementation, while highlighting practical ways to overcome them. It will also showcase tangible tools developed by GenderSAFE, including trainings and materials in multiple languages, a tool for institutions to self-assess their policy, and a model policy framework, co-designed with the project’s community of practice, to turn intention into action.
More than a moment of reflection, this conference is a catalyst for continued progress. By fostering dialogue, peer learning, and a shared sense of responsibility, it aims to empower participants to take concrete next steps – no matter how small – towards safer and more inclusive academic environments.
