Sexual harassment constitutes a human rights violation and therefore the topic has to be put on the agenda of publicly funded institutions most of all in times when right-wing populists not only try to discredit women’s rights but also gender equality and gender research. To effectively address sexual harassment at the university level, more knowledge on prevalence, manifestations and effects as well as on favorable and prohibitive circumstances is required. As sexual harassment is a global phenomenon and universities in many countries (as well as societies as a whole) struggle in addressing the topic, implementing an international perspective on the topic will be very useful for a deeper understanding and very insightful in order to achieve change.

The purpose of the international conference is to discuss the global phenomenon of sexual harassment and assault in the higher education context. The conference aims to hereby give the subject adequate scholarly attention.

This conference is part of an international research project that explores prevalence, manifestations and effects of sexual harassment in the higher education context as well as it inquires structural implications such as favorable and prohibitive circumstances for sexual harassment from a student perspective in selected universities in Latin America, Germany and South Korea. Even though many universities are committed to gender equality and to diversity, sexual harassment continues to be a taboo topic and is often mistakenly considered to be not relevant at the university level. As studies show and experiences of activists attest, sexual harassment is as widespread at universities as in any other societal contexts. Prevalence and manifestations of the phenomenon may differ though.

For further information please contact Nina Lawrenz or Heike Pantelmann. No registration required!

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Conference Program

Wednesday, 13^th of June 2018 (Topoi Villa, Hittorfstraße 18, 14195 Berlin)

6:00pm Opening by Nina Lawrenz (Latin American Institute) and Heike Pantelmann (Margherita von Brentano Center)

6:10pm Welcoming speech by Prof. Dr. Brigitta Schütt (Vice President (VP IV) of Freie Universität Berlin)

6:15pm Conference introduction by Prof. Dr. Margreth Lünenborg (Scientific Director of Margherita von Brentano Center, Freie Universität Berlin)

6:30pm Introduction by Prof. Dr. Maria do Mar Castro Varela (Alice-Salomon-Hochschule Berlin)

6:45pm Keynote Lecture by Prof. Dr. Rita Laura Segato (Universidad de Brasilia): Parastatal sphere and sexualized violence

7:30pm Reception

Thursday, 14^th of June 2018 (Seminarzentrum, Room L116, Habelschwerdter Allee 45, 14195 Berlin)

10:00am - 12.30pm (Coffee break 11:20-11:40am) “Sexualized Discrimination and Violence in the Higher Education Context in Latin America” by Carmen Ulate Rodriguez/ Zaira Carvajal Orlich (Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica), Dr. Ana Buquet Corleto (Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México), Dr. Patricia Ruiz Bravo (Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú), Dr. Dora Díaz Susa (Universidad Nacional de Colombia), Dr. Roxana Arroyo (Instituto de Altos Estudios Nacionales, Ecuador). Chair: Tanja Wälty (Dahlem Research School, Freie Universität Berlin) (Inputs in Spanish with translation into English)

12:30 – 1:30pm Lunch break

1:30 - 3:00pm “Survey on Sexual Harassment in Korean Universities: Current status, Issues, and its Prospect“ by Dr. Yoon-jeong Jeon (Seoul National University) and “Current Situation of Sexual Harassment in the Higher Education: Korean Case” by Hana Choi Kim (Chung-Ang University). Chair: Prof. Dr. Yun-Young Choi (Seoul National University)

3:00 – 3:30pm Coffee break

3:30 – 4:30pm “Sexual Violence in Japan: Cultural Contexts and Institutional Perspectives“ by Sachiko Osawa (Tokyo University)

4:30 – 5:30pm “Sexism and Sexual Harassment in Indian Higher Education: Context, Problems, and Issues” by Prof. Dr. D. Parthasaraty (Indian Institute of Technology Bombay)

5:30 – 6:00pm Coffee break

6:00 – 7:00pm “Sexual Harassment in German Universities: Results, Institutional Obstacles and Discursive Controversies” by Nina Lawrenz (Latin American Institute, Freie Universität Berlin), Heike Pantelmann (Margherita von Brentano Center, Freie Universität Berlin), Wendy Stollberg (Gender Equality Office Freie Universität Berlin) and Inga Nüthen (Philipps-Universität Marburg)

Friday, 15^th of June 2018 (Seminarzentrum, Room L116, Habelschwerdter Allee 45, 14195 Berlin)

09:15 – 09:30am Welcoming and introduction by Prof. Dr. Margreth Lünenborg (Margherita von Brentano Center, Freie Universität Berlin)

09:30 – 10.30am Keynote Lecture by Dr. Katrin List (Ruhr-Universität Bochum) and discussion: Gender-based Violence against Women (and Men) in European University Settings

10:30 – 11:00am Coffee Break

11:00am – 12:30pm Interactive Workshop about normalizations, structures and practices of sexualized discrimination and violence in higher education institution (Presentation: Heike Pantelmann, Nina Lawrenz and Wendy Stollberg, all Freie Universität Berlin)

12:30 – 1:30pm Lunch break

1:30 – 2:30pm Closing discussion and outlook with PD Dr. Martha Zapata Galindo (Latin American Institute, Freie Universität Berlin), Dong Wei (Institute for Media and Communication Studies, Freie Universität Berlin/Wuhan University, China), Dr. Ana Buquet Corleto (Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México) , Dr. Mechthild Koreuber (Chief Gender Equality Officer of Freie Universität Berlin). Chair: Prof. Dr. Margreth Lünenborg (Margherita von Brentano Center, Freie Universität Berlin)