Challenging Stereotypes:

NYU Berlin 2026 Workshop

7th and 8th of July 2026

Venue: NYU Berlin Campus

Organizers:

Sophie Arnold, Aashna Poddar, Andrei Cimpian

Attendees:

See here for more information

WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION

This two-day workshop at NYU Berlin aims to explore the complex relationship between prosocial behavior, gender, and economic (in)equity. Prosocial behavior—actions that benefit others—is essential for societal success and individual well-being. However, the expectation that women should be more prosocial than men can lead to unequal distribution of caregiving responsibilities and contribute to workplace disparities. This interdisciplinary conference will bring together experts from NYU and German institutions to examine three interconnected themes: the gender wage gap, the development of prosocial behavior, and gender stereotypes about prosociality. By fostering collaboration between researchers in psychology, sociology, economics, and education, the workshop seeks to generate new insights into how gendered expectations of prosociality emerge in childhood and potentially contribute to economic inequalities in adulthood.

Key questions to be addressed include:

1. How do gendered expectations about prosociality relate to gender wage gaps?

2. How do stereotypes create differences in prosocial behaviors between genders?

3. What are the long-term implications of these expectations and behaviors for gender equality in the workplace and society?

This workshop is generously supported by the NYU Office of Global Programs' Global Opportunity Grants
and NYU Provost's Global Research Initiatives Faculty Grant