Soheil Human at Kinderuni Wien 2026

At Kinderuni Wien 2026, Soheil Human will contribute two lectures that invite children to reflect on identity, diversity, gender roles, needs, rights and the futures they want to help shape. The lectures are part of the Kinderuni Wien programme, which takes place from 13 to 24 July 2026, and are designed for children aged 7–12.

The lecture “Breaking Stereotypes, Opening Doors to a Better Future” will take place on Tuesday, 21 July 2026, from 15:00 to 16:00 at Wirtschaftsuniversität Wien. It addresses how children are often guided toward different interests, school subjects and professional futures on the basis of gender. By questioning these patterns early, the lecture encourages children to ask why certain fields are still too often imagined as “for girls” or “for boys,” and how such assumptions can limit both individual opportunities and society’s collective potential.

The lecture opens a constructive perspective on a better future: one in which girls, boys and children of all genders can explore their interests freely, whether in STEM, SHAPE&SHARE or other fields of knowledge and practice. It invites children to imagine futures in which curiosity, talent and meaningful contribution matter more than restrictive gender roles and inherited social expectations.

Gender roles have changed significantly in recent decades, including within families, where, for example, fathers are increasingly involved in the care and upbringing of children. Research has also shown the developmental importance of the active and equal involvement of both parents in children’s lives. While public discussions in Austria rightly emphasise the need for more girls and women in STEM, a more balanced and equal future also requires more boys and people of all genders to feel encouraged to enter SHAPE&SHARE fields, including social work, education, psychology, care, communication and related areas. Building such a future means developing new role models everywhere: at home, in schools, in science, in workplaces and across society.

The second lecture, “Who You Are, Your Brain, Your Needs and Rights,” will take place on Wednesday, 22 July 2026, from 09:00 to 10:00 at the Campus of the University of Vienna, Hof 7. This session focuses on children’s families, cultures, languages, stories and lived experiences, and explores how these shape learning, development and flourishing. It also highlights why children’s needs, rights, identities and whole selves matter, including in social contexts where racism and exclusion may exist.

These Kinderuni Wien contributions reflect the broader commitment of the IMC Institute to inclusive, pluralistic and socially responsible science communication. For several years, the IMC Institute has organised Women in STEM lectures, workshops and related activities to strengthen the visibility of women in scientific and technological fields and to support students in imagining and pursuing careers in STEM. These activities have been documented in institute initiatives such as the Women in STEM Workshop 2022 and Women in STEM Workshop 2024.

With these Kinderuni Wien lectures, this commitment is extended to younger audiences. The aim is not only to promote scientific curiosity, but also to contribute to pluralism, inclusivity and equal opportunities by encouraging children to recognise stereotypes, question rigid gender roles, value diversity and imagine more open futures for themselves and others.

Soheil Human is also the Director of ELTERNSCHAFT & WISSENSCHAFT, an interdisciplinary research and knowledge-transfer network dedicated to childhood, parenthood, children’s rights and the conditions that enable children and families to flourish. The network connects scientific excellence, digital competence and societal responsibility, with a strong focus on equitable, resilient and future-oriented conditions for children, parents and academic communities.

The IMC Institute’s engagement is further strengthened by the involvement of Edward Bernroider, who serves as a member of the Advisory Board of ELTERNSCHAFT & WISSENSCHAFT. His expertise in digital innovation, sustainable digital transformation and responsible system design contributes to the network’s interdisciplinary work on childhood, parenthood, children’s rights and digital futures.

Through initiatives such as Women in STEM, contributions to Kinderuni Wien, and engagement with ELTERNSCHAFT & WISSENSCHAFT, the IMC Institute contributes to a more inclusive academic and social culture: one that challenges structural barriers, supports pluralism, recognises care and childhood as central societal concerns, and affirms that science and education are enriched when people with different identities, experiences and perspectives are able to participate fully.