Sexual Harassment Awareness Day 2026
Event details
| Date | 21.04.2026 |
| Speaker | Dirk Baier, Rachel Démolis, Klara Sasse, Anna Fontcuberta i Morral, Charlotte Grossiord, Ola Svensson, Jean-Cédric Chappelier, VPH/WINC/DEI |
| Category | Miscellaneous |
| Event Language | French, English |
Swiss higher education and research institutions are organising a fourth Sexual Harassment Awareness Day (SHAD) on 21 April 2026 to help build a harassment-free university environment.
At the national level:
An online event (link to come) will take place from 12:15 to 13:15 in English, under the title From Awareness to Action: Together Against Sexual Harassment in Higher Education.
Prof. Dirk Baier from the ZHAW School of Engineering will present empirical insights on the structural factors linked to sexual harassment in academic institutions. This will be followed by a discussion with Dr. Rachel Démolis from actionuni and Klara Sasse from VSS-UNES-USU, addressing the role of institutions, prevention, and dialogue despite power asymmetries.
→ See also the website of the national coordination listing all events from partner institutions.
At EPFL:
At the national level:
An online event (link to come) will take place from 12:15 to 13:15 in English, under the title From Awareness to Action: Together Against Sexual Harassment in Higher Education.
Prof. Dirk Baier from the ZHAW School of Engineering will present empirical insights on the structural factors linked to sexual harassment in academic institutions. This will be followed by a discussion with Dr. Rachel Démolis from actionuni and Klara Sasse from VSS-UNES-USU, addressing the role of institutions, prevention, and dialogue despite power asymmetries.
→ See also the website of the national coordination listing all events from partner institutions.
At EPFL:
- On campus, “Discussion Biscuits” (in the form of Chinese fortune cookies) will be distributed at various contact points and cafeterias to encourage dialogue among community members on these essential issues.
- An information and discussion booth will be set up in the corridor at the corner of EPFL buildings CE and BS, in front of room CE1 6, from 11 am to 2 pm. Meet the Equal Opportunities Office and the Well-being and Inclusion team to discuss concerns related to sexual harassment and learn about available resources.
- Posters featuring statements from EPFL faculty members—including the President, Anna Fontcuberta i Morral—highlight the essential role of bystanders in combating harassment. These statements can be found on the SHAD webpage.
Practical information
- General public
- Free
Organizer
- Coordination nationale SHAD et Bureau de l'égalité EPFL