Research
Research at the Department of Sociology at the University of Vienna covers a broad spectrum of sociological issues and methodological approaches. Research activities range from fundamental theoretical work to empirical studies of current social developments and challenges. Research projects are carried out both in close collaboration within (international) research groups and teams, and as part of individual projects.
In the tradition of the Viennese sociology
The work at the department follows in the tradition of the Viennese school of sociology, which, since its earliest days, has focused on social problems and consolidated empirical research into societal diagnoses and sociological theories. This academic legacy is built upon and further developed by connecting classical sociological questions to innovative perspectives and contemporary research approaches. By combining different theoretical and methodological approaches, the department’s research makes an important contribution to our understanding of social structures, processes and transformations.
Third-party funded research Publications Departmental projects Data centre
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Areas of research
Research at the Department of Sociology is organised into thematically and methodologically diverse research areas and teams, led by our professors.
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Methods
The Department of Sociology covers a wide range of methodological approaches – from complex statistical analyses and interpretative methods to visual and multi-method research approaches.
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Staff
Our research and teaching are carried out by dedicated academics – discover the people at the Department of Sociology.
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Third-party funded research
The Department of Sociology is home to a large number of third-party-funded research projects, which, through their thematic and methodological diversity, make a key contribution to broadening and deepening social science knowledge.
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Publications
Employees at the Department of Sociology publish monographs, working papers and project reports, as well as in (international) academic journals and edited volumes.
Information on each publication, along with links, can be accessed via u:cris, the University of Vienna’s research information system.
Belinda Cave
Departmental projects
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Everyday Life and Climate Change in Austria
The Department of Sociology’s project ‘Everyday Life and Climate Change in Austria’ examines how people in Austria perceive the climate crisis and the social and political responses to it.
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Pathways to the Future
The project, 'Paths to the Future: A Longitudinal Study of the Social Integration of Young People in Vienna' (in collaboration with the Department of Education at the University of Vienna since 2020), focuses on two areas: On the one hand, on the realities of life as they relate to social background, educational attainment and labour market opportunities, and, on the other hand, on the future that young Viennese people have envisioned or been promised, or that they hope for or fear.
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Complex methods of statistical analysis
In several fields of research, complex statistical methods are used to address sociological questions. These methods can be used to analyse both cross-sectional and longitudinal data. Examples include decomposition techniques, structural equation modelling, event data analysis and sequence data analysis. Multilevel models consider the micro, meso, and macro levels of society simultaneously.
Interpretative methodologies and methods
Some of the research conducted at the Department of Sociology is based on the interpretative paradigm. As part of this research, further developments are taking place in the area of interpretative methodologies and methods. For instance, academic papers focusing on the development of methodological foundations and the organisation of interpretatively oriented research projects are being published. Additionally, department members are involved in advancing Grounded Theory, visual methods and methodologies, and biographical research.
Visual, film and media analysis
As part of the Visual Sociology research focus, specific methods for analysing still and moving images are being developed. Film and media analyses combine hermeneutic approaches with longitudinal analyses, making use of computer-assisted tools. Visual segment analysis is used as an image hermeneutic method for various genres of image (such as analogue and digital photographs, posters, collages, paintings and stills from films and videos) within a wide range of thematic research contexts. Participatory photo-interviews and ethnographic films are also emerging as research instruments used in a wide variety of subject-specific contexts.
Mixed and multi-method research
Combining and integrating various methods — such as qualitative and quantitative (mixed methods), or several qualitative or quantitative methods (multi-methods) — provides different perspectives on a social phenomenon. This combination is not an end in itself, but rather an attempt to achieve the best possible understanding of the subject of research. This, in turn, requires a profound understanding of the various methods and methodologies involved, as well as their compatibility. At the Department of Sociology, the epistemological, methodological and practical aspects of multi-methods research are explored in-depth and are further developed.
