Rising Voices in Democracy and Human Rights

The floor is open to early career researchers! On 16 June 2026, the ViDSS and the Faculty of Social Sciences will honour exceptional doctoral research and mark the end of a successful academic year. The central spot for social sciences and good vibes will once again be the Aula am Campus.

In line with this semester’s University of Vienna theme, “Where is democracy heading?”, early career researchers will present their research projects on democracy and human rights in a science slam. Join us for a discussion about the contributions of early career researchers to pressing questions of our time and celebrate with us the winners of the sowi:doc Awards 2025. The band The Sound of Social Science will be guiding us through the programme and the reception.

16:45 Official entry

17:00  Musical Opening and Welcome Address

Folker Hanusch, Vice Dean for Career Development and International Affairs, Faculty of Social Sciences
Thomas Meyer, Speaker of the Vienna Doctoral School of Social Sciences
Sylvia Kritzinger, Speaker and Co-Director of the Research Network Democracy and Human Rights

17:20  Science Slam

Saroja Adhikari
Demography
Dissertation: “Understanding differentials by level of education in fertility intentions and behaviors in lower- and middle-income countries”

Michael Anranter 
Social and cultural anthropology
Dissertation: “Mis*trusting as a critical intervention at a Bulgarian service area and beyond”

Dominika Betakova
Communication
Dissertation: “I do not (want to) know! News avoidance in fragmented media environments”

Ivan Josipovic
Political science
Dissertation: “The politics and legitimacy of digital evidence in asylum governance. A case study of the smartphone data extraction policy in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.”

Sophie Mayen
Communication
Dissertation: “Growing up digital: Media use, well-being, and academic performance in the context of adolescent dynamics”

Selina Noetzel
Communication
Dissertation: “Why am I seeing this? Cognitive, attitudinal, and behavioral effects of online political microtargeting”

Sitara Noor
Political Science
Dissertation: “Combatting illicit trafficking of nuclear and other radioactive materials through a regional nuclear security regime in South Asia”

Discussant: Sylvia Kritzinger

18:45  Award ceremony sowi:doc Awards 

19:00  Musical Closing & Reception with The Sound of Social Science

Registration

Please register for the event before 10 June 2026.

Please note that after submitting the form, you will receive an email with a link to confirm your registration. If you do not receive a confirmation email, please contact vds-sosci@univie.ac.at.