The Vienna Doctoral School of Social Sciences promotes innovative, excellent, problem-oriented research that aspires to contribute to societal debates and address key global challenges.

The cohorts trained and supported by the ViDSS are part of a vibrant research environment and international networks. The ViDSS encompasses and fosters connections between a broad range of disciplinary, interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary perspectives. The ViDSS embraces the entire range of epistemological, methodological and theoretical approaches that are employed at the Faculty of Social Sciences. Doctoral candidates receive research training and write a doctoral thesis in the fields of communication, demography, development studies, nursing science, political science, science and technology studies, social and cultural anthropology, and sociology. The ViDSS aims for the highest standards in doctoral training and close supervision to ensure a mastery of social scientific debates and relevant theories and methods. As a result, ViDSS graduates are highly employable both within and outside academia.

Radio and podcast
 

What does “Generation Z” think about politics, work and social cohesion? How does society consider their perspectives and how can communication between generations be improved? In Ö1 “Punkt eins”, sociologist Paul Malschinger presents his research about young people, their goals, perspectives and participation in society. (In German)
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Radio and podcast
 

What is a family? Why do parents separate? How much say should children have in a divorce? In the Podcast “Focus” of ORF Radio Vorarlberg, sociologist Viktoria Parisot presents a project in which divorce was researched through a participatory approach. (In German)
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Media articles and press releases
 

Together with Annie Waldherr, communication scientist Jula Lühring presents the project “Emotional Misinformation”. Based on the analysis of large data sets and computer simulations, an interdisciplinary team explores how misinformation spreads in social media and which psychological interventions prevent users from trusting false information and spreading it further. (In German)
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Video
 

The perfect protein shake, the five signs of ADHD, the optimal workout routine? Communication scientists and ViDSS Students Elena Engel and Sascha Gell were interviewed for the science communication initiative FÄKT. Together with Kathrin Karsay and Raffael Heiss, they explain how we can distinguish between genuine health tips and hidden advertising. (In German)
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Media articles and press releases
 

Political scientist Petra Kolb explains how the Maria-Theresien-Platz, the square between the Museum of Natural History and the Museum of Art History in Vienna, has developed from a space where youth protested against pressures to consume and perform in society into a brand used by political parties. (In German)
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Radio and podcast
 

Giorgia Zogu and Ying Liang Zhang talk with Jana Bernhard-Harrer and Nisa Iduna Kirchengast about their experiences with co-authorship. How have they dealt with challenges related to joint publications and how have they benefited from contributing to co-authored papers? Find out about disciplinary specifics and get practical advice on building productive research partnerships.
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Fellowship and award winners
 

The Marietta Blau-Grant offers financial support for six- to twelve-month study periods abroad. Five ViDSS Students were successful in the last call for applications: David Buchwinkler (development studies), Esther Dessewffy (STS), Elif Gül (STS), Marlene Persch (social and cultural anthropology) and Quirin Rieder (social and cultural anthropology). Congratulations!
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Fellowship and award winners
 

Communication scientist Senad Alibegović was awarded the PRO PR Globe People Achievement Award 2024. The award honours individuals in the communications field who contribute to the improved perception and positioning of the communications industry on global, regional, and local levels. Congratulations!
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Fellowship and award winners
 

Social and cultural anthropologist Katrin Schmid was awarded a scholarship by the Foundation for Canadian Studies to continue her field work in the Canadian Arctic. In her dissertation, she examines the role of pre-existing transport infrastructures in territorial food sovereignty in Nunavut, a territory without agriculture. Congratulations!
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New publications by ViDSS students

Showing entries 1 - 20 out of 96
Multilingual Challenges: Empirical Social Research in Migration Societies, Transnational Spaces, and International Contexts. / Holzinger, Clara; Draxl, Anna-Katharina.
Social Inclusion, 2026.

Publications: Book › Special Issue › Peer Reviewed

How healthy and unhealthy food and beverages appear in movies and series for children: A comprehensive content analysis. / Binder, Alice; Matthes, Jörg; Heiss, Raffael et al.
In: Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, Vol. 57, No. 5, 05.2025, p. 385-394.

Publications: Contribution to journal › Article › Peer Reviewed

Artificial presence, real-life influence? Effects of CGI influencers on young adults’ health behavior intentions. / Saumer, Melanie; Neureiter, Ariadne; Varga, Édua Mária et al.
In: Cyberpsychology : Journal of Psychological Research in Cyberspace, Vol. 19, No. 2, 3, 22.04.2025.

Publications: Contribution to journal › Article › Peer Reviewed

Local journalists and the construction of social identities. A phenomenological approach. / Garusi, Diego; Juarez Miro, Clara; Hanusch, Folker.
In: Journalism, 14.04.2025.

Publications: Contribution to journal › Article › Peer Reviewed

Geschlecht methodologisch: „Wissen ist Macht!“. / Grenz, Sabine; Gül, Elif.
Geschlechtersoziologie. ed. / Eva Tolasch; Anna Buschmeyer; Sabine Grenz; Carolin Küppers. 1. ed. Paderborn: Brill Ferdinand Schöningh, 2025. (Soziologie im 21. Jahrhundert).

Publications: Contribution to book › Chapter

Scheidung aus Sicht der Kinder. Radio Vorarlberg, Focus. Parisot, Viktoria (Other role). 2025. ORF Radio Vorarlberg.

Publications: Electronic/multimedia output › Radio show

The Interplay of Poverty and Employment Trajectories in Couples Around the Transition to Parenthood in Germany. / Siegert, Christina.
In: SOEPpapers on Multidisciplinary Panel Data Research, Vol. 2025, No. 1220, 03.2025.

Publications: Contribution to journal › Article

Mainstreaming and transnationalization of anti-gender ideas through social media: the case of CitizenGO. / Righetti, Nicola; Kulichkina, Aytalina; Paroni, Bruna Almeida et al.
In: Information, Communication & Society, 22.02.2025.

Publications: Contribution to journal › Article › Peer Reviewed

Affective politics and neoliberal subjectivities in ‘left behind’ places: Counter-narrating regional decline within/from Finland’s ‘Capital of Pessimism’. / Gansauer, Grete; Lilius, Johanna; Adams, Ria-Maria.
In: Environment and Planning C: Politics and Space, 19.02.2025.

Publications: Contribution to journal › Article › Peer Reviewed

Time to BeReal! Exploring users' well-being in relation to BeReal use duration. / Kanková, Jaroslava; Stevic, Anja; Binder, Alice et al.
In: New Media & Society, 19.02.2025.

Publications: Contribution to journal › Article › Peer Reviewed

A transdisciplinary, comparative analysis reveals key risks from Arctic permafrost thaw. / Gartler, Susanna (Corresponding author); Scheer, Johanna (Corresponding author); Meyer, Alexandra (Corresponding author) et al.
In: Communications Earth & Environment, Vol. 6, 21, 16.01.2025.

Publications: Contribution to journal › Article › Peer Reviewed

Für eine dekoloniale Wende in der Wissenschaft: blog interdisziplinäre geschlechterforschung. Bauer, Dominique (Author); Paredes Grijalva, Daniela (Corresponding author). 2025.

Publications: Electronic/multimedia output › Web publication

Listen to me! Target perceptions of digital hate: A scoping review of recent research. / Khaleghipour, Maryam; Koban, Kevin; Matthes, Jörg.
In: Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, 04.01.2025.

Publications: Contribution to journal › Article › Peer Reviewed

LOCAL INITIATIVES IN SHRINKING CITIES: On Normative Framings and Hidden Aspirations in Scholarly Work. / Sandmann, Leona (Corresponding author); Gunko, Maria (Corresponding author); Shirobokova, Irina (Corresponding author) et al.
In: International Journal for Urban and Regional Research, Vol. 49, No. 1, 01.2025, p. 214-223.

Publications: Contribution to journal › Article › Peer Reviewed

Betonieren, Versiegeln, Verbauen - über ein Straßenbauprojekt mitten in der Klimakrise. / Kolb, Petra.
In: Politix : Zeitschrift des Instituts für Politikwissenschaft, Vol. 53, 2025, p. 38-42.

Publications: Contribution to journal › Article › Peer Reviewed

Fem-vertised and fem-washed advertising on Instagram: How do they affect the attitude towards the brand and purchase intention? / Noronha dos Reis, Iara; Harm, Katharina; Saumer, Melanie et al.
Advances in advertising research XIII: Frontiers of advertising: Re-considering its shapes and forms. ed. / Daria Gunina; Martin K. J. Waiguny. 1. ed. Cham: Springer Nature Switzerland AG, 2025. p. 145-159.

Publications: Contribution to book › Chapter

“I don't attribute that to the fact that I'm a foreigner”: Female CEE migrants in Austria and their perspectives on deskilling experiences. / Holzinger, Clara; Draxl, Anna-Katharina.
In: Zeitschrift für Politik (ZfP), Vol. Special Issue 12, 2025, p. 197.

Publications: Contribution to journal › Article › Peer Reviewed

Inclusive Citizenship Education in Germany, Austria and Australia. A Comparative Analysis. / Wolf, Christoph; Straub, Sarah; Lange, Dirk.
Inclusive Citizenship: Interdisziplinäre Perspektiven auf Bürgerschaft und politische Bildung. ed. / Steve Kenner; Malte Kleinschmidt; Dirk Lange; Frank Reichert; Christiane Schröder. Wiesbaden: Springer VS, 2025. p. 389-397 (Citizenship - Studien zur politischen Bildung).

Publications: Contribution to book › Chapter › Peer Reviewed

Inclusive Citizenship Education in Teacher Education through Interaction and Active Relationship Building. / Straub, Sarah.
Inclusive Citizenship: Interdisziplinäre Perspektiven auf Bürgerschaft und politische Bildung. ed. / Steve Kenner; Malte Kleinschmidt; Dirk Lange; Frank Reichert; Christiane Schröder. Wiesbaden: Springer VS, 2025. p. 413-422 (Citizenship - Studien zur politischen Bildung).

Publications: Contribution to book › Chapter › Peer Reviewed

Mehr Klarheit beim Thema Impfen. Über den gesellschaftlichen Stellenwert von Impfungen. / Hansl, Nora (Interviewee); Paul, Katharina Theresa (Interviewee).
In: Kurier, 2025.

Publications: Other contribution to periodical › Newspaper/Magazine article

Showing entries 1 - 20 out of 96