Nina Krebs Culture and Equalitiy Unit, co-project manager of the u:respect campaign

A 2022 study found that one out of three female scientists having reported experiencing sexual harassment at work (see here). A shift in the structure and culture of science workplaces is urgently needed!

The u:respect – No room for harassment! campaign focuses on gender-based violence and on sexual harassment in particular. It intends to strengthen the prevention and encourage a sensitive approach to such incidents while also highlighting the support services and the complaints processes available at the University of Vienna.

Please register by sending an email with subject „Lunchbreak 20.2.2025“ to brigitte.bischof@univie.ac.at until 13.3.2025!

Kerstin Hummer is Assoz. Prof. at the Faculty of Physics at the University of Vienna, head of the study program and deputy head of Computational Materials Physics.

Her research focuses on ab-initio modeling of the structural, electronic and optical properties of semiconductors using density functional theory(DFT) and many-body perturbation theory. She is particularly interested in two-dimensional layered materials with promising electronic and optical properties for potential applications in photonics and molecular (opto)electronics.

In this lunchbreak talk, Kerstin Hummer will talk about her academic career, her research and her work at the Faculty of Physics.

For registration please send an email with subject line "Lunchbreak 29.4.2025" to brigitte.bischof@univie.ac.at by 24.4.2025.

 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.

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.

Please register by sending an email with subject „Lunchbreak 27.5.2025“ to brigitte.bischof@univie.ac.at until 22.5.2025!

For general information please scroll down!

Note: On 26.5.2025 15:00-16:30 Adriennne Traxler will give a detailed lecture on the topic as part of the lecture series Academia and In-/Equality at the FGGA. More information here!

Karin Hain is Assistant Professor of Isotope Physics at the University of Vienna since 2022 and is currently head of the Isotope Physics research group.
Her interdisciplinary research focuses on determining the propagation pathways of long-lived radioisotopes. These radioisotopes can serve as markers for studying the effects of climate change.

At this lunchbreak event, Karin Hain will talk about her academic career and her research.

For registration please send an email with subject line "Lunchbreak 5.11.2024" to brigitte.bischof@univie.ac.at by 4.11.2024.

At this lunchbreak talk the two PostDocs Anna Francuz and Jana Dzíbelová will talk about their career and their reseach.

Anna Francuz has been a postdoc at the “Quantum Optics, Quantum Nanophysics and Quantum Information” group since September 2022. Every day she tries to find a balance between spending time with her little daughters and understanding the mysteries of quantum entanglement using tensor networks.

Jana Dzíbelová joined the research group “Physics of Nanostructured Materials” in March 2024 after the completion of her PhD in Olomouc, Czechia. In her current research, she uses transmission electron microscopy to study 2D materials with a focus on emerging 2D iron oxides.

For registration please send an email with subject line "Lunchbreak 10.12.2024" to brigitte.bischof@univie.ac.at .

Fariba Karimi leads the research team on Algorithmic Fairness at the Complexity Science Hub and is a professor of Social Data Science at Graz University of Technology. She has started her academic path with a PhD in physics and computational science from Umea University. Her research focuses on computational social science, the emergence of biases and inequality in networks and algorithms, and modelling human behaviour. In 2023, she received the Young Scientist Award from the German Physical Society for her research on inequality in complex networks.

One of her studies reveals the mechanisms behind the long-standing gender gap in physics. According to Karimi, the key lies in the tendency of established scientists to adopt – or not – young female researchers. Without changes to collaboration patterns and network inclusion, the gap will persist. (for more details see here and: Jun Sun and Fariba Karimi: Emergence of group size disparity in growing networks with adoption, in: Communications Physics)

Please register by sending an email with subject „Lunchbreak 16.1.2025“ to brigitte.bischof@univie.ac.at until 14.1.2025!