Vienna Doctoral School of Social Sciences

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.

PhD in the spotlight

Media articles and press releases

“Zwidemu”: A place for youth protest

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)

Video

Health risk: influencers

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)

Radio and podcast

Episode 18 – Balancing co-authorship

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.

Fellowship and award winners

Marietta Blau-Grants for five ViDSS Students

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!

Fellowship and award winners

PRO PR Globe People Achievement Award for Senad Alibegović

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!

Fellowship and award winners

Scholarship of the Foundation for Canadian Studies for Katrin Schmid

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!

Media articles and press releases

Key risks from Arctic permafrost thaw

Together with Peter Schweitzer, social and cultural anthropologist Susanna Gartler presents the project “Nunataryuk” in which scientists from various disciplines worked together to investigate the effects of the increasing thawing of permafrost soils and to develop the Arctic Permafrost Atlas. (In German)

Media articles and press releases

Diego Garusi’s work featured by #UseTheNews

In their latest research overview, #UseTheNews presents the paper “Unpacking news consumption and trust decisions” by communication scientist Diego Garusi (co-authored with Clara Juarez Miro). The study shows the ongoing importance of traditional journalistic values for audiences’ news use and trust decisions despite the emergence of new forms of journalistic actors. (In German)

Fellowship and award winners

DGPuK Förderpreis Journalismus for Melanie Haberl

Communication scientist Melanie Haberl was awarded the Förderpreis Journalismus 2024 of the German Communication Association for her ongoing doctoral thesis project about the balance between proximity and distance in journalists’ professional relationships with politicians. Congratulations!