Hear Me Out! Towards Equity in Online Meetings

Studies show that contributions from individuals belonging to socially disadvantaged groups often receive less recognition in professional settings.

This can significantly hinder their active participation and further reinforce existing inequalities. While the shift toward digital meetings offers opportunities to promote greater inclusion, it also presents risks.

A new practice-oriented guideline supports organizations and employees in counteracting inequality-promoting hierarchical structures and power dynamics, and in conducting virtual meetings in a more participatory way.

The HearMeOut study, on which the guideline is based, was funded by the AK Digifonds and conducted by Dr. Laura Wiesböck and Julia Radlherr, MSc. at the Institute for Advanced Studies. Scientific input was also provided by organizational sociologist ao. Univ.-Prof. Mag. Dr. Eva Flicker, University of Vienna, and equality advisor Dr. Marita Haas.

The guide focus on three main areas:

  • General measures for building relationships, addressing sensitive topics, and establishing an anonymous support channel,
  • Preparatory measures such as creating a clear agenda, providing technical equipment, and ensuring accessibility,
  • In-meeting measures including check-ins, the use of interactive features (hand-raising, chat functions, breakout rooms), and moderation techniques.

Laura Wiesböck, head of the research project, explains the objectives: “The guideline Promoting Equal Opportunities in Online Meetings is intended to help ensure that digital meetings become places where contributions are encouraged, heard and taken seriously, regardless of gender or hierarchical level. The aim is to counteract structural recognition gaps and to understand participation as a shared responsibility.”

The guideline is now available for download in both German and English on the HearMeOut project website.

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