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

Radio and podcast

The youth of today?

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)

Radio and podcast

Divorce from the perspective of children

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)

Media articles and press releases

The net of misinformation

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)

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)

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)

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!