25. November 2025
Violence against women
and gender-based violence are social realities that occur worldwide and in our everyday lives. Despite political efforts and
growing public awareness, current developments show that gender-based violence remains deeply rooted in social structures.
This makes initiatives that empower those affected and demand institutional responsibility all the more important in order
to achieve further effective measures. In this context, the University of Applied Arts Vienna is once again sending a clear
signal this year and actively participating in international campaigns such as Orange the World and collaborations
that educate, raise awareness and initiate change.
"Orange the World reminds us that violence can arise when boundaries
become unclear – and change begins when institutions take responsibility. The University of Applied Arts Vienna is committed
to this responsibility – as a place of respectful and attentive coexistence," says Brigitte Felderer, Vice-Rector for Studies,
Teaching and Diversity, on the subject.
As part of the cooperation ‘#MeToo
Art: Gender-based Violence and Power Relations at Art Academies’[1], the Angewandte is participating in a series of events
that examine the topic with consideration for the specific conditions of artistic teaching.
The series opened on 5 November
2025 with a keynote lecture by Dr Anke Lipinsky, senior researcher at GESIS – Leibniz Institute for Social Sciences and lead
researcher in the European UniSAFE project. Lipinsky presented the key findings of the UniSAFE study, which examines gender-based
violence in the European higher education context – findings that are relevant to all universities, as the study also includes
an art university.
Violence is not a marginal phenomenon
The European UniSAFE study (02/2021-01/2024)
investigated the extent of gender-based violence at 46 higher education institutions and research facilities in 15 countries.
Over 42,000 students and staff[2] took part – with alarming results:
• 62% of respondents said they had experienced
at least one form of gender-based violence since joining the institution.
• 57% reported psychological violence, 31%
sexual harassment, 6% physical violence and 3% sexual violence.
• Only 13% of those affected reported these incidents
– mostly due to uncertainty about the severity of the incident or a lack of trust in institutional structures.
• LGBQ+
people, people with disabilities and members of ethnic minorities were particularly affected – here, the rates of those affected
ranged between 68% and 72%.
These results clearly show that violence in all its forms is not a marginal
issue, but a structural problem – even in the context of higher education.
Art universities: closeness,
trust – and responsibility
Art universities are characterised by specific forms of learning and working; especially
in artistic work, the boundaries between study, work processes and social interaction can become blurred. Creative dynamics
emerge, but power imbalances can also arise. It is therefore essential to ensure professional interaction in which boundaries
are respected and any transgressions can be identified at an early stage by all those involved in the process. Conscious reflection
on roles, power relations and forms of communication is the basis of professional teaching design and human resource management.
"As
Vice-Rector of the University of Applied Arts Vienna, I see it as our shared responsibility to combine artistic freedom with
protection and respect. The results of the UniSAFE study show us that artistic teaching and its special conditions require
institutional mindfulness. Our task is to raise awareness, establish confidential and clear reporting channels, draw attention
to them in the best possible way and, if necessary, provide concrete support. We want to be a university where art and science
can flourish in a climate of security, dialogue and equality," explains Felderer. She and her team are currently implementing
targeted measures at the University of Applied Arts to strengthen sensitivity and competence for action.
Activities
and formats are being developed in the following key areas:
Awareness-raising and education: Development of awareness
formats on gender-based violence and abuse of power, specifically tailored to art universities.
Creating commitment:
Development of a code of conduct
Clear structures and points of contact: Expansion and visibility of confidential reporting
channels
Culture of reflection: Establishment of various feedback systems
Taking a stand: The University of Applied
Arts Vienna pursues a zero-tolerance policy with regard to gender-based assaults and does not tolerate sexist behaviour. Gender-based
violence, abuse of power, discrimination and transgressions are contrary to the core principles and values of the university.
[1] The event series ‘#MeToo Art: Gender-based violence and power relations at art academies’ is a collaboration
between the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna, the University of Applied Arts Vienna and the University of Music and Performing
Arts Vienna and is planned for the years 2025 to 2027.
[2] Half of the participating institutions are traditional
comprehensive universities, 17% are technical universities, 15% are research institutes, 9% are social science/humanities
institutions, 7% are specific institutions and 2% are art universities.
Further events on the topic:
Who Gets to Feel Safe? Who Gets to Speak
Up?
In cooperation with the Gender Platform Austria.
Bontu Guschke will give a talk entitled “Who
Gets to Feel Safe?” Who Gets to Speak Up? Understanding and Addressing the Intersections of Sexism and Racism in Higher Education”.
The presentation is aimed at staff and students. The lecture will be held in English. There will be a written interpreter
for German.
Dr Bontu Guschke, 27 November 2025, 1–2 p.m., via Zoom
Registration via dieangewandte.at/pe/who-gets-to-feel-safe
Gender-based violence at universities
In
cooperation with the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna
What is still flirting and what is already assault? Sara Hassan has
developed a model to identify the first signs of sexual harassment. The Red Flag System, a multifactorial assessment scheme,
makes it clear how sexual harassment develops and what can be done about it. The workshop is organised through the Academy
of Fine Arts' internal training programme and is aimed at staff members.
Sara Hassan, MA,
10 December 2025, 10 a.m.–2 p.m., at the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna
Registration via dieangewandte.at/pe/geschlechterbasierte-gewalt-an-hochschulen
by Monday, 1 December 2025 at the latest.
Sara Hassan's lecture entitled ‘There are no grey areas – recognising
patterns of sexual harassment’ was already offered to staff and students in 2023. Further formats are in planning.
Link to the study at GESIS – Leibniz Institute
for Social Sciences
If you have any further questions, please contact the Department of
Equality.
Head of the Department of Equality
Mag.phil. Doris Löffler, MBA
+43-1-71133-2157
doris.loeffler@uni-ak.ac.at
dieangewandte.at/gleichstellung
