TUesday Lounge Talks in the summer semester 2025

Dear Guests of the TUesday Lounge,

Thank you for your continued interest in the TUesday Lounge talks and the topics we've explored together.

We truly appreciate that you’ve taken the time to think along with us, to engage in the conversations, and perhaps also to take a moment to unwind.

What’s in store this summer semester? Take a look at our program poster , opens an external URL in a new windowto discover the full lineup of events.

We’re looking forward to welcoming you back with fresh topics, new guests, and meaningful exchanges.

Warm regards,

Your TU Vision Team

 

TUesday Lounge goes Cinema with “the way you shine” - Diversity, Self-Determination, and Social Inclusion on May 13th at 5:30 PM

What does it mean to follow your own path in a society shaped by normative expectations? The documentary “the way you shine, opens an external URL in a new window” follows four young people with Down syndrome who pursue clear goals—working, engaging in politics, and starting a family. Along the way, they repeatedly encounter societal barriers and prejudices. 

Director Evelyne Faye portrays her protagonists both in their everyday lives and in their quest for self‑determination, independence, and genuine participation—beyond clichés and stereotypes. The film not only offers insight into individual life journeys but also raises fundamental questions about inclusion, social diversity, and our understanding of “normality.” It invites us to challenge common assumptions and develop new perspectives on open, solidarity‑based coexistence. 

After the screening, the filmmaker, the film’s protagonists, and an expert on inclusion will discuss pathways to a more inclusive society: Which structural barriers shape our daily lives? How can educational and social spaces be designed to be accessible for everyone? And what role do culture and science play in this process?

Guests:

  • Evelyne Faye, filmmaker, author, and keynote speaker
  • Johanna Ortmayr, Protagonist of the film, dancer, and dance assistant.

  • Markus Samek, protagonist of the film and journalist at Querdenker

    +++ Please note: Due to a last-minute cancellation, Mr. Samek will unfortunately not be able to attend the event. Thank you for your understanding. +++

  • Germain Weber, Professor Emeritus at the University of Vienna, Dean of the Faculty of Psychology (2008–2016), and Honorary President of Lebenshilfe Österreich since 2022 (President from 2004–2022)
  • Moderation: Louisa Holub, Head of the Diversity Management Department at TU Wien

Language: The film will be shown with English subtitles, and the discussion will be held in German. Participants are encouraged to contribute questions or comments in English, should they prefer. 

Event Details: The event will take place on May 13 at the Stadtkino (Akademiestraße 13, 1010 Vienna). The film screening starts at 5:30 PM. The box office opens at 4:30 PM for ticket pickup, and the auditorium opens at 5:00 PM. 

Participation: Admission is free of charge; however, registration is required. The registration form will be accessible from Wednesday, May 7 at 8:00 AM until Tuesday, May 13 at 2:00 PM. 

We look forward to an enriching and inspiring exchange of ideas! 

Your TU Vision Team

 

TUesday Lounge goes Wien Museum: UBERization of Society?! on May 20

The neologism “Uberization”, derived from the ride-hailing company Uber, refers to the transformation of the economy, the world of work, and society. Digitalization enables new business and labor models. Companies such as Uber, Lieferando, Booking, Amazon & Co provide digital platforms to mediate products and services. Their business model includes not only connecting supply and demand but also collecting and reselling data. 

In the resulting so-called gig economy or platform economy, supposedly independent service providers face paying customers. The platform sets the rules of the game. Supply meets demand. In this model, traditional employment relationships become obsolete. The concentration of power held by platforms through their central role in triangular business relationships often remains hidden. 

But what does this development mean for society? How do platform-based transaction models change the world of work, the social fabric, and life in our cities? And how do they affect the living and working conditions of those operating within these systems? 

The TUesday Lounge talk “Uberization of Society?!” will explore these and other questions, with a particular focus on the perspectives of so-called riders. The conversation is inspired by the current exhibition “Between Pick-up & Drop-off, opens an external URL in a new window” at the Vienna Museum, which offers insights into the daily lives and working realities of food delivery workers in Vienna.

Language: The discussion will be held in German. Participants are encouraged to contribute questions or comments in English, should they prefer. 

Participation: Places are limited, and registration is required. 

Schedule: The discussion begins at 5:30 PM in the “Ateliers” on the 3rd floor of the Wien Museum (Karlsplatz 8, 1040 Vienna).
There is also an opportunity to join a guided tour of the exhibition with curator Fabio Hofer starting at 5:00 PM, or alternatively at 7:00 PM. Meeting point: Exhibition "Between Pick-up & Drop-off" on the 3rd floor of the Wien Museum.

We  look forward to a stimulating exchange of ideas! 

Your TU Vision Team

 

timeTUexplore: Architectural History(ies) around Gußhausstraße – Residential Palaces, Artist Studios, Foundry on June 3 at 5:30 PM.

This time, the TUesday Lounge will begin and end in the familiar Arnold-Schmid Room (formerly known as Kontaktraum), but in between, we’ll venture out to explore the immediate surroundings: the TU Wien campus at Gusshausstraße – a site full of fascinating stories. Originally home to an imperial and royal cannon foundry (1763–1770), the "Gusshaus" was later converted into an art foundry. It was here that the famous bronze statues of Archduke Carl on Heldenplatz and Maria Theresa between the Museum of Fine Arts and the Natural History Museum were cast – as well as the Ressel statue on Karlsplatz, right in front of our main building. 

Within these historic walls, the sculptor Anton Dominik Fernkorn established his studio with the support of Emperor Franz Joseph I. In 1869, the renowned painter Hans Makart took over the building, redesigned it with architect Carl Hasenauer, and turned it into the setting for legendary celebrations. His magnificent studio became a landmark of the Ringstrasse era. 

Significant buildings also emerged across from the Gusshaus, including the elegant apartment building at Gusshausstraße 24 (1875) by Friedrich Schachner and the so-called “Hugo Ernst Residence” (1876–77), which today belongs to TU Wien. 

We invite you to "timeTUexplore" – to discover hidden architectural stories within and around TU Wien, with expert insights provided by colleagues from the university and heritage research.

Guides:

Language: The tours will be conducted in German. However, participants are warmly invited to ask questions in English as well. 

Registration: Seats are limited, and registration is required. The registration form will be available from Tuesday, May 27 at 8:00 AM until Tuesday, June 3 at 3:30 PM here: timeTUexplore: Baugeschichte(n) rund um die Gußhausstraße 3.Juni | TU Wien 

++++ Waiting list: Due to the high interest in the event " timeTUexplore: Architectural History(ies) around Gußhausstraße", we are now opening a waiting list. ++++

Meeting point: Arnold-Schmidt-Room, Gußhausstraße 25–29, 1040 Vienna (6th floor) between 5:00 PM and 5:30 PM. Snacks and drinks will be provided. 

Note: The tours are not wheelchair accessible.

We will meet at 5:30 PM in the Arnold-Schmidt Room and look forward to a stimulating exchange of ideas! 

 

Your TU Vision Team

 

Understanding Neurodiversity – Experiencing Neurodivergence on June 17

 

Neurodiversity is not a marginal issue or passing trend, but a central part of the movement for equality and inclusion. Around 15% of people are neurodivergent, including many with ADHD, autism, or dyslexia. But what does this actually mean for studying, everyday life, and the workplace? What challenges do neurodivergent individuals face? And what kind of support do they need to reach their full potential?

In this panel discussion, both neurodivergent individuals and lecturers will share their perspectives to discuss experiences, challenges, and possible solutions. We will explore how neurodivergent people can contribute their strengths, the obstacles they face in education and work, and how institutions can create better frameworks.

Because this is not just about accessibility—it's about a fundamental shift in how we understand learning, working, and living together, toward a culture where we all truly embody the concept of a "Living University."

Guests 

  • Karin Schmid, author, Chair of the association ADAPT, President of ADHD International, lecturer at the University of Vienna and for the VBE Germany ("ADHD in the Classroom"), leader of the ADHS-Family parent training program, and host of the podcast ADHS Family
  • Linda Kreil, lecturer in labor and social law, speaker on the topic of ADHD
  • Sonja Metzler, clinical psychologist specialized in the autism spectrum, speaker on autism-related topics
  • Franz Puntigam, Compilers and Languages
  • Sandrine Roche, Contact point for Neurodiversity within Diversity Management at TU Wien, and speaker on neurodiversity and autism 

Moderator: Gerhard Schütz, Biophysics 

Language: The discussion will take place in German. However, participants are warmly invited to ask questions in English as well. 

The Lounge Talk will take place in the TUesday Lounge (Arnold Schmidt Room, formerly Kontaktraum, Gußhausstraße 27, 6th floor) at 5:30 pm. The lounge opens at 5 pm, and small snacks and drinks will be available.

We look forward to an enriching exchange of ideas! 

Your TU Vision Team