The University of Vienna’s strategic priorities

The University of Vienna aims at strengthening its position in interdisciplinary and internationally visible fields of research that are not only eligible for funding but also relevant to society in which it is rooted through the achievements of excellent academics. These cross-faculty research specialisations are attractive to job applicants. They develop dynamically and focus on current issues: cutting-edge research and teaching.

Brochure "The University of Vienna’s strategic priorities" (PDF, 28 pages)

Data Science & Digital Humanities

Climate research, Industry 4.0 and social media – the behaviour of dynamic systems is based on complex algorithms and mathematical modelling. The Faculties of Mathematics; Computer Science; Business, Economics and Statistics; Physics; Chemistry; Earth Sciences, Geography and Astronomy; as well as the Centre for Molecular Biology develop and analyse algorithms and approaches that aim to computationally control, simulate, filter and make predictions – for state-of-the-art medicine, biomathematics and financial mathematics or other future areas of application that are as yet unknown. A new focus is on digital humanities, which combines the humanities and social sciences using digital resources and methods.

Health & Microbiome

The Faculty of Life Sciences, the Faculty of Chemistry and the Centre for Molecular Biology conduct research on the requirements for a healthy life. The academics involved identify symptoms of diseases and develop new treatment approaches. They investigate natural substances, conduct food safety tests and explore the effect of food and substances on the human body, seeing that the multifaceted relationships between living beings and the environment have been thrown out of balance. What do we have to know about living in symbiosis with nature? To answer this question, research foci range from all ecosystems to the smallest microorganisms.

 

 

 

Society & Communication

Research in this area focuses on current challenges of major importance to society, such as migration and integration, as well as the effects of globalisation and internationalisation  on the European Union, other institutions and markets. This research specialisation is an essential element of many cross-faculty research projects, extending far beyond the social sciences and law.

 

 

 

Molecular Biology & Cognitive Neuroscience

How does life work? Research groups at the Centre for Molecular Biology as well as the Faculties of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Psychology are trying to find answers to this question. At the interface between biology and medicine, researchers focus on chromosome dynamics, RNA biology or cellular signal transduction. Fundamentals of neuroscience and cognitive science form the basis for research on the function and structure of the brain – in relation to human consciousness, social behaviour in society, language and knowledge.

Materials & Quantum Science

The smallest particles, light and its potential benefits form the basis of this cross-faculty research specialisation. Quantum optics and quantum communication are internationally acclaimed research specialisations of the Faculty of Physics. At the atomic level, academics address theoretical questions and work on the development of functional and sustainable materials. Researchers at the Faculty of Chemistry and the Department of Environmental Geosciences have a leading role in this endeavour.