Geneva, Switzerland

Prejudice, Discrimination and the Diversity Challenge

Prejudice and discrimination are often causes of individuals’ suffering, social inequalities, and human conflicts in contemporary societies. Prejudice and discrimination are pervasive, difficult to counteract, and persisting even in unsuspected contexts and organizations.

This summer school brings together experts and students from different countries to examine the origins and the consequences of prejudice. Where does prejudice come from? How do prejudice and discrimination affect people’s achievements, performances, and well-being? How can institutions reduce prejudice? How do laws prevent prejudice and protect minorities? What are the advantages of the inclusion of minority groups in the labor market?

This summer school will address these questions through lectures from keynote speakers in social psychology. The social-psychological analysis will be complemented by talks in law and economy, class discussion, and group presentations. It will focus on contemporary cases of prejudice based on various group memberships and stigmatizing attributes, such as race, religion, gender, sexuality, age, social class, disability, and unemployment.

This summer school is a unique opportunity to meet practitioners from different organizations in Geneva and to learn about implemented policies aiming to reduce discriminations and promote diversity in the workplace.


This summer school will introduce participants to:

the basic research and theories about stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination from the social, cognitive, and organizational psychological perspectives
laws protecting individuals from prejudice and discrimination in the workplace
the economic analysis of labor market discrimination
strategies and policies to prevent and reduce prejudice in the workplace


This Summer School is organised in collaboration with Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences (University of Geneva), Equal Opportunities Office (University of Geneva), Research Service (University of Geneva), High School of Social Work (HETS-Geneva), and Office for Gender Equality and Prevention of Domestic Violence (State of Geneva).

Course leader

Course Directors:

Dr. Klea Faniko
Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences
University of Geneva

Prof. Dider Grandjean
Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences
University of Geneva

Target group

Bachelor and Master's students, Ph.D. candidates, researchers, as well as professionals from various backgrounds who are interested in prejudice and discrimination.

Credits info

3 EC
Equivalence of 3 ECTS

Students will be provided with a Certificate of Completion for their course if they satisfy attendance.

Please note that this is not an official University of Geneva transcript, as Geneva Summer Schools courses are not accredited University of Geneva courses. It is the students’ responsibility to validate their course for credit at their home university before commencing the summer school, as specified in our Regulations.

Fee info

CHF 1100: Professionals fee 1100 CHF

> The price do not include accomodation and flight
CHF 900: External students fee 900

> The price does not include accommodation and flight