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Experiences of Women Leaders in Toxic Academic Environments
Workshop organised by the Academia Europaea Budapest Knowledge Hub
On Friday, 22 May 2026, the Academia Europaea Budapest Knowledge Hub will host the fourth event within its project “Empowering Women in Science within Europe with emphasis on the Danube Region”. The online workshop - this time for women only - will be led by Professor Katharine Sarikakis (University of Vienna) and will explore the experiences of women in academic leadership positions who face toxic or hostile working environments.
The event will draw attention to an aspect of academic life that remains insufficiently examined. While public discourse on gender equality in science often focuses on access to STEM fields, balancing family responsibilities, or the importance of mentoring, far less discussion addresses the specific challenges encountered by women who already hold leadership roles. Institutional cultures, structural inequalities, prejudices, and interpersonal conflicts can all shape the daily work and decision‑making processes of women in executive academic positions.
Participants (primarily but not exclusively mid‑career and senior women in leadership) will examine key questions such as:
how toxic academic environments can be recognized,
how pressures arising at different levels of institutional hierarchies manifest,
and what strategies can help leaders navigate, mitigate, or evaluate the personal and professional impact of such challenges.
The workshop will provide a confidential and supportive space for open dialogue, encouraging participants to share experiences and reflect on the complexities of academic leadership under adverse conditions.
This event will contribute to the broader objective of the project: strengthening the visibility, support structures, and community of women scientists in the EU13 countries and the wider Danube region and promoting a more equitable and inclusive academic environment across Europe.
If you are interested in joining, please register here. Registration deadline: May 21, 2026.