Gender Challenges in AI and XR: From Stereotypes and Harassment to Equity and Agency
Mini Track Chairs: Prof. Dr. Claudia Hess & Prof. Dr. Sibylle Kunz, IU International University of Applied Sciences

Building on the discussions and insights from the first minitrack on “Gender Challenges in AI and XR” at ICGR 2024, this second edition explores both ongoing and emerging gender-related challenges in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Extended Reality (XR). Over the past year, rapid advances have introduced new opportunities and risks. Recent headlines remind us of the persistent dangers: bias in large language models, deepfakes, gender disparities in health diagnostic algorithms, inequities in facial and voice recognition systems, and virtual harassment in XR-based environments.  Addressing gender issues in AI and XR solutions is critical, because these technologies influence societal norms and decision-making processes, and impact equality and fairness. While noteworthy research, regulatory, and community efforts are attempting to advance gender equity in AI and XR, progress over the past year has been mixed. Setbacks in organizational diversity, ethics budgets, and the slow roll-out of robust protective measures have marked 2024/25. Many gender-diversity advocacy initiatives have faced retrenchment due to shifting political and corporate priorities. Nonetheless, early harassment detection tools are being tested, and regulations like the EU AI Act are introducing broader requirements for transparency, human oversight, and anti-discrimination. However, these regulations still have to prove themselves.  This mini track critically examines both the achievements and persistent gaps in addressing gender-related risks as these technologies continue to evolve. It aims to understand the underlying causes and manifestations and to create solutions by developing technological innovations, legal/regulatory/ethical frameworks and organizational practices.  Suggested topics:

• Societal implications of gender-bias in AI or XR solutions
• Detecting, measuring and auditing gender bias in AI or XR
• Psychological and social benefits of avatar-based exploration of identity (e.g., for LGBTQ+ individuals)
• Safe spaces: Addressing risks of sexual misconduct and harassment, including challenges arising from mismatches between avatar appearance and real gender (e.g., concerning child protection)
• Effectiveness, adoption, and limitations of new technical and design countermeasures (such as inclusive datasets, bias mitigation, real-time moderation tools)
• Impact and gaps of existing and proposed regulations, voluntary codes of conduct and platform policies on gender bias in AI/XR

Gender in Research Performing Organizations
Mini Track Chairs: Dr. Sílvia Donoso López, Institute of Marine Sciences, Barcelona, Spain and María Gracia Puga, Barcelona Supercomputing Center, Barcelona, Spain

We welcome contributions that highlight practical experiences, innovative methodologies and measurable outcomes in advancing gender equality through GEPs.

Labour Markets and Gender Disparities: Causes, consequences and state policies.
Mini Track Chair: Prof. Ewa Lechman, Gdańsk University of Technology, Fahrenheit Universities, Poland

Persistent gender inequalities massively shape labour markets globally. From occupational segregation and unequal wages to disproportionate part-time or precarious employment, women and gender minorities often face multiple barriers limiting their economic opportunities, which in turn leads to financial discrimination and feminization of poverty. These inequalities are deeply rooted in cultural norms and attitudes, discriminating institutional practices promoting – although unofficially, traditional gender roles. This mini-track explores the drivers of labour market gender gaps, problems of unpaid labor force and feminization of poverty, childcare and pro-natal state policies and occupational segregation. It also offers some methodological considerations regarding labor market gender-related studies. By combining empirical research, comparative case studies, and policy evaluations, this track aims to foster a deeper understanding of the challenges and chart practical pathways toward more inclusive and equitable labor markets.

• Gender pay gap: (un)hidden drivers and economic consequences
• Occupational segregation: legal frameworks and state policies preventions
• Intersectionality in labour markets: tackling race and migration biases
• Dealing with unpaid workers issues – especially from developing countries perspectives
• Feminization of poverty
• Parental leave and childcare policies – equalizing opportunities in the labour market
• Methodological challenges in labour market gender-related studies

Identifying and Addressing Barriers to Conducting Feminist Research Concerning Women in Employment
Mini Track Chair: Dr Frances Hamilton, University of Reading

The goal of gender equality in employment remains high on the agenda of many international organisations, businesses and universities. International bodies such as the United Nations (Sustainable Development Goal 5) highlight the importance of gender parity on a global stage. Across the world different jurisdictions have taken multi-pronged approaches to tackle gender equality at work, with for example England and Wales introducing legislation prohibiting discrimination, introducing work-life balance rights, tax related incentives such as childcare vouchers, shared parental leave and gender pay gap reporting requirements. Yet a lack of gender equality in employment continues to exist in many countries worldwide. For example, the OECD records median gender pay gaps at 11.3% worldwide, 16% in the US and 14.5% in the UK (OECD, 2023). Inequalities between men and women and gender pay gaps are caused by multiple, complex and intersecting reasons and need continuous research and investigation.  In this track we take the approach of researching the researchers, investigating the hypothesis that although there is a clear case for feminist research in this area, barriers continue to exist to conducting relevant research. This track serves to highlight the multi-pronged challenges faced.

• Challenges faced in conducting feminist research tackling inequality in employment
• Challenges faced in conducting participatory research studies
• Challenges faced in attracting employer participants
• Challenges faced when presenting the results of feminist research tackling inequality in employment
• Issues faced in implementing gender equality plans
• Strategies to attract participants and implement proposed action plans.

Storytelling for Gender Equality in the Post-Digital Era: Communicative and Educommunicative Practices Shaping Youth Narratives
Mini Track Chairs: dr. Isabel Palomo-Domínguez & dr. Rūta Tamošiūnaitė, Mykolas Romeris University, Lithuania

In a post digital era where digital and analogue media coexist in a blended fashion, new types of communication have become the central arena for negotiating gender meanings. Gen Z and Gen alpha inhabit this world of hybrid media and use creative storytelling as their primary mode of expression. They explore identity, challenge stereotypes and build inclusive imaginaries of gender using narrative that adapts across screens and physical world.  Educommunication, as an interdisciplinary approach, merges critical reflection with active media practices, enabling youth not only to analyze content but to reshape it. Storytelling in this context functions as both a pedagogical tool and a cultural force, opening pathways for media literacy, creative self-expression, and social transformation.  In both communication and educommunication, institutions and policymakers are helping cultivating equitable storytelling ecosystems that protect and amplify young voices. Informal and peer-driven storytelling, especially within influencer cultures, also acts as a powerful agent of cultural change, shaping gender norms from the ground up.  This mini-track welcomes contributions that explore how hybrid storytelling practices, educommunication, and supportive institutional frameworks can advance gender equality and empower youth narratives in an era where digital and analogue worlds are inseparable.

• Educommunication for gender narratives: Empowering youth to critically engage and co-create inclusive stories.
• Institutional and policy responsibility: Supporting equitable storytelling and safeguarding youth expression.
• Hybrid storytelling practices: Blending digital dominance with analogue spaces to shape identities.
• Critical media literacy: Equipping youth to decode and rewrite biased narratives.
• Influencer and peer storytelling: Driving cultural change through networked narratives.