Events

KLI Colloquia are invited research talks of about an hour followed by 30 min discussion. The talks are held in English, open to the public, and offered in hybrid format. 

Join via Zoom:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5881861923?omn=85945744831
Meeting ID: 588 186 1923

Spring-Summer 2026 KLI Colloquium Series

12 March 2026 (Thurs) 3-4:30 PM CET

What Is Biological Modality, and What Has It Got to Do With Psychology?

Carrie Figdor (University of Iowa)

 

26 March 2026 (Thurs) 3-4:30 PM CET

The Science of an Evolutionary Transition in Humans

Tim Waring (University of Maine)

 

9 April 2026 (Thurs) 3-4:30 PM CET

Hierarchies and Power in Primatology and Their Populist Appropriation

Rebekka Hufendiek (Ulm University)

 

16 April 2026 (Thurs) 3-4:30 PM CET

A Metaphysics for Dialectical Biology

Denis Walsh (University of Toronto)

 

30 April 2026 (Thurs) 3-4:30 PM CET

What's in a Trait? Reconceptualizing Neurodevelopmental Timing by Seizing Insights From Philosophy

Isabella Sarto-Jackson (KLI)

 

7 May 2026 (Thurs) 3-4:30 PM CET

The Evolutionary Trajectory of Human Hippocampal-Cortical Interactions

Daniel Reznik (Max Planck Society)

 

21 May 2026 (Thurs) 3-4:30 PM CET

Why Directionality Emerged in Multicellular Differentiation

Somya Mani (KLI)

 

28 May 2026 (Thurs) 3-4:30 PM CET

The Interplay of Tissue Mechanics and Gene Regulatory Networks in the Evolution of Morphogenesis

James DiFrisco (Francis Crick Institute)

 

11 June 2026 (Thurs) 3-4:30 PM CET

Brave Genomes: Genome Plasticity in the Face of Environmental Challenge

Silvia Bulgheresi (University of Vienna)

 

25 June 2026 (Thurs) 3-4:30 PM CET

The Evolvability of the Mammalian Ear: From Microevolutionary Variation to Macroevolutionary Patterns

Anne LeMaitre (KLI)

 

KLI Colloquia 2014 – 2026

Event Details

ZARA
KLI Special Event
Diversity and Awareness Training Workshop
Volker Frey and Dieter Gremel
2020-11-16 12:45 - 2020-11-16 17:00
Virtual meeting
Organized by KLI & ZARA

“All of us must speak up and take responsibility for our corner of the world” (Kevin Laland, Nature 2020)

“To speak the language of diversity is to participate in the creation of a world” (Sara Ahmed, On being included, 2012)

The urgent need to develop a series of long-term work and action plans on diversity and awareness were further facilitated from internal and external incidents that happened this year. Internally, we encountered tensions that arise from creating and maintaining an institute that values and recruits fellows from diverse backgrounds with diverse research topics. Externally, the incidents that triggered a global Black Lives Matter movement clearly indicate that a tipping point has been reached. We all need to do our part.
 
As a first step of our collective reflection, we collaborated with ZARA (Zivilcourage und Anti-Rassismus-Arbeit) to organize our first (of many) "Diversity and Awareness Training Workshop.” The workshop was based on experience-based and reflection-based exercises. It was also an opportunity to get to know each other better and within a reflexive approach. Together with two diversity trainers, we reflected on prejudices, privileges, differences and strategies for dealing with diversity: 
  • Raising awareness on diversity/discrimination on a personal and structural level
  • Raising awareness of the effects of individual and social discrimination due to privilege or belonging to a minority
  • Reflecting on one's own prejudices and stereotypes
  • Analyzing different aspects of one's own identity and that of others
  • Analyzing different aspects of one's own digital identity and speech styles 
The training was led by Volker Frey and Dieter Gremel. Both trainers have been working with ZARA – Zivilcourage und Anti-Rassismus-Arbeit and ZARA Training for more than 15 years.
 
MMag. Volker Frey studied law and political sciences at the University of Vienna. He is the Secretary General of the Klagsverband and and a diversity trainer. His main focus of work is awareness-raising for diversity and anti-discrimination, freedom of religion, inclusion (monitoring of the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities). Volker is lecturing on equality law, human rights, labour law and professional rights at the FH St. Pölten, NGOs, and public bodies.
 
Mag. Dieter Gremel studied psychology, philosophy and political science at the universities of Vienna and Klagenfurt. He works as a psychotherapist and a mediator with a focus on social psychology, gender research and group dynamics. His training focus is on civil courage, anti-discrimination and intercultural communication. Dieter has extensive experience in organizational development (internal and external), internal communication as well as process and project management. He is the Deputy Head of the Extremism Information Center.
 
After the workshop, we started the process of creating a EDI (Equaty, Diversity, and Inclusion) Vision Statement and an action plan to lay out our key strategies and goal posts. We hope to be able to share with you how we will carry out our resolve to implement EDI as fundamental elements of the KLI.