Breakout sessions

During the lunch break (12:00 – 14:30), the Women & Leadership Conference will offer a variety of opportunities for networking through a series of optional breakout sessions.

Three different activities will take place simultaneously in separate breakout rooms at the conference venue. Each session lasts 30 minutes and is offered twice during the lunch break, allowing participants to attend up to two different activities.

The breakout session options are:

As the capacity for each session is limited, registration will take place on a first-come, first-served basis on the morning of the conference day, 12 November 2026. If you are considering taking part, we strongly encourage you to explore the session descriptions below in advance to help you decide which activities may be of interest before arriving at the conference.

Participants wishing not to participate in the breakout activities are invited to enjoy the university's main entrance hall, where our partners and various stakeholders will host poster tables throughout the conference day.  

We look forward to welcoming you at our lunch break activities!

Role Models: Meet the Speakers

Join this interactive breakout session for an informal opportunity to meet the conference keynote speakers, ask questions, and continue the conversation beyond the stage. This session is designed to encourage open dialogue and meaningful connections, allowing attendees to exchange ideas, gain deeper insights, and network with fellow participants.

New Faces: Academic Speed Dating

Meet new people and network efficiently in a speed-dating format. Pitch yourself, your ideas, research, work and interests to three fellow participants and exchange ideas. The session is organized in three 10-minute slots: After a 3-minute pitch of each of the partners common interests and potential benefits of sharing respective expertise are discussed.

Right Conditions: Beyond Individual Leadership

Leadership structures have not kept pace with the women moving into them. Unequal care work, cultures of constant availability and concealed obstacles shape who steps forward and who holds back. In this hands-on session, participants map structural barriers and design conditions under which leadership would become possible for them.