The Future of Education

The EU-funded research project "Uni4Equity" aims to enhance universities' capacity to identify, document, and appropriately address sexual harassment. Partnering with seven European institutions, the University of Applied Sciences Burgenland plays a key role. The project highlights that gender-based inequalities and asymmetric power dynamics in academia often create conditions conducive to harassment. Addressing these issues aligns with social work’s commitment to justice and human dignity, emphasizing the importance of initiatives like "Uni4Equity" in fostering safe and equitable academic environments.

The project implemented preventive awareness workshops targeting students and staff to promote understanding of sexual harassment and the role of "active bystanders." Workshops incorporated interactive methods such as case studies, role-playing, and group discussions. A mixed-methods evaluation included pre- and post-workshop standardized surveys to measure knowledge and competence changes, along with workshop leader reflections for qualitative insights.

The evaluation revealed significant improvements in several areas:

• Awareness: Participants demonstrated heightened sensitivity to sexual harassment issues.
• Willingness to Intervene: Increased readiness to act in harassment situations.
• Institutional Perception: Enhanced awareness of institutional resources for prevention and response.

Workshop leaders emphasized the effectiveness of participatory methods and the necessity of clear communication about institutional processes to build trust. Additionally, key university stakeholders were identified as critical contacts for students.

The project underscores the value of evidence-based, participatory prevention programs in creating safe and equitable university spaces. Structural and cultural transformation is crucial for long-term impact, requiring efforts to dismantle power asymmetries and ensure accessible mechanisms for prevention, reporting, and addressing incidents. Such transformations necessitate transparent and collaborative processes, fostering trust and shared responsibility. Social work’s "triple mandate" of integrating scientific knowledge, professional ethics, and human rights further ensures inclusivity and fairness, particularly for marginalized groups. Sustainable implementation requires integrating prevention programs into institutional strategies, continuous staff training, and adequate resource allocation, coupled with improved research methodologies to assess long-term outcomes.

"Uni4Equity" provides valuable insights into the effectiveness of linking theoretical and practical approaches to advance safe, inclusive academic cultures. Beyond immediate effects, its findings point toward the potential for structural change, promoting equity and fostering an inclusive academic environment.