National Framework for Protection Against Violence in Higher Education and Research

Supporting the Development of a Framework Document for the Design and Implementation of Codes of Conduct at Austrian Higher Education and Research Institutions within the Responsibility of the Federal Ministry for Women, Science and Research (BMFWF)

About the Project

On behalf of the ministry of women, science and research, LBI-GMR supports the development of a national framework for the prevention of and response to gender-based violence at Austrian higher education and research institutions within this issue. The project builds on the findings of the previous Status quo assessment and implements two of its key recommendations through a cross-sectoral and participatory process.

Research Topic and Roadmap

The aim of the project is to develop three interconnected outputs that together form a coherent and practice-oriented toolkit. The toolkit is intended to support higher education and research institutions in effectively preventing gender-based violence, standardising institutional procedures, and ensuring sustainable protection for those affected.

As a first step, a common cross-sectoral understanding of gender-based violence will be developed to facilitate the recognition, identification, and institutional handling of violence. Building on this, minimum standards will be established to provide guidance on responsibilities, reporting obligations, governance structures, and quality assurance processes. In a third step, a modular framework document will be developed that integrates a Code of Conduct containing normative guidelines and a protection against violence framework (Gewaltschutzkonzept) outlining concrete procedures and response mechanisms.

The development process will be accompanied by a working group consisting of representatives from higher education institutions, research organisations, student union, networks and support services, as well as the public administration. The working group will convene in several meetings between 2026 and 2027 and will support the iterative development of the project outputs.

Research Focus

The project pursues the overarching objective of making an evidence-based and practice-oriented contribution to the prevention of and institutional response to gender-based violence within Austria’s higher education and research sector.

In the medium term, the project seeks to strengthen institutional structures, procedures, and capacities for addressing gender-based violence. In the long term, it aims to contribute to the creation of safe, inclusive, and discrimination-free learning and working environments at higher education and research institutions.

Research Method

The development process is participatory and cross-sectoral, involving the active contribution of the members of the working group. Through the scientific support provided by the LBI-GMR, practical experiences, good practice examples, and feasibility considerations are embedded within current research findings, relevant national and international literature, and applicable legal frameworks.

The substantive work further includes the evidence-based analysis of key thematic areas, the development of conceptual proposals, and the systematic consolidation of contributions generated throughout the participatory process. To support this work, the LBI-GMR provides target-group-specific discussion and working materials that connect scientific evidence with practical implementation needs.

In addition, the LBI-GMR facilitates and moderates the working process and ensures a transparent and traceable development of content through appropriate methodological approaches, including structured group work, moderated consultations, prioritisation exercises, and consensus-building procedures.

Project Data