Strategic priorities

In today’s world, new knowledge, technological and societal developments chase each other with unprecedented speed, generating opportunities but also new, complex challenges. 

The University of Vienna spans a wide range of disciplines, from natural and life sciences to arts and humanities, and can therefore play a unique role in addressing these challenges. Building on our established strengths, we have identified six strategic priorities where we aim to make a meaningful impact by harnessing the insight and expertise of our scholars and educators.

Culture, Education, Democracy

What are cultural identities and political systems? How can we guarantee high-quality education? What roles do language, religion and demographic change play in the pluralistic society of the 21st century? 

The Culture, Education and Democracy strategic priority addresses the foundations of human coexistence and communication in the face of racial, gender, and political conflicts. 

 

Working on this strategic priority:

Research networks

Research platforms

Interinstitutional research networks

Digital and Data-Driven Transformations of Science and Society

New technologies, especially artificial intelligence and machine learning, are rapidly and radically changing our private and professional life. Can we harness their power and ensure a sustainable, human-centred application? 

The University of Vienna is perfectly positioned to contribute to the development of these technologies and to explore their impact on society, ethics and law. 

 

Working on this strategic priority:

Research networks

Research platforms

Climate, Environment, Sustainability

How can we contribute to making Earth’s ecosystem stable, sustainable and fair? Can climate change be stopped, and how? 

Academics from different disciplines join forces and investigate these key issues in the Climate, Environment, Sustainability strategic priority in depth.

 

Working on this strategic priority: 

Research networks

Research platforms

Interinstitutional research networks

Global Health: Physical, Mental and Social Dimensions of Health

Social inequalities, nutrition, physical activity and the media affect our identity, health and well-being. 

In the Global Health strategic priority, academics connect across disciplinary boundaries to investigate how we can promote physical and mental health for all people.

 

Working on this strategic priority:

Research networks

Research platforms

Interinstitutional research networks

Systems of Life

Can we explore life in all its facets, ranging from molecular secrets to planetary connections? 

Under the Systems of Life strategic priority, researchers from diverse disciplines explore the complex networks that underpin our world.

 

Working on this strategic priority:

Reearch networks

Research platforms

Interinstitutional research networks

Quantum Systems and Materials for the Future

Ready to face the challenges of the future? At the University of Vienna, scientists in the fields of quantum physics, materials science, mathematics and computer science investigate fundamental questions on space, time and gravity and develop technologies and materials of the future, such as quantum computing or intelligent and green materials.  

The University of Vienna discussed this topic intensively as part of the 2025 semester question. Read about it in the Rudolphina, the research magazine of the University of Vienna.

 

Working on this strategic priority:

Research platforms

Interinstitutional research networks

Quantum Year 2025

In 2025, the world celebrates the centenary of quantum mechanics – and the University of Vienna is part of it! As one of the leading centres for quantum research, the University will showcase the wonders and importance of this field with a diverse programme of events.

In cooperation with Quantum Science Austria (quantA), the University of Vienna is involved in a wide range of activities that combine science, technology and society. From top-class specialist events to formats for the general public – here you can find all the information about Quantum Year 2025 at the University of Vienna. 

The University of Vienna is an internationally recognised centre of quantum science. In the more than 18 state-of-the-art laboratories of the Quantum Optics, Quantum Nanophysics and Quantum Information research group, scientists get to the bottom of fundamental quantum phenomena and develop new technologies that contribute to a second quantum revolution. 

The spectrum ranges from the fundamentals of quantum physics to applications, e.g. in the fields of quantum information, quantum cryptography and quantum sensor technology. The close exchange between theory and experiment repeatedly leads to new discoveries – for example, at the interface between quantum physics and gravity.

Further information: The entanglement of physics and philosophy

Quantum physics does not just play a central role within physics but also influences numerous other research areas at the University of Vienna. It is closely linked to particle, atomic and nuclear physics, solid state and material physics, as well as quantum field theory and quantum gravity. In addition, it provides decisive impulses for quantum chemistry, mathematics and life sciences, especially in molecular biology. The methods of quantum research open up new perspectives in interdisciplinary projects and contribute to fundamental questions about the nature of reality.

With strong international cooperations, clusters of excellence and intensive promotion of early stage researchers, the University of Vienna makes an important contribution to the further development of quantum science and its technological applications.  

The entanglement of physics and philosophy: To mark the 100th anniversary of this discipline, the Research Magazine Rudolphina looks back at how researchers at the University of Vienna have shaped quantum research over the years – and continue to do so today.

 

  • More than 18 high-tech laboratories for experimental quantum research
  • Around 170 employees in research and administration
  • Main areas of research: quantum foundations, quantum computers, quantum communication, interface with gravitation
  • Research excellence: Nobel Prize, ERC Grants, Wittgenstein Prize, START Prizes
  • Promotion of early stage researchers through the Vienna Doctoral School in Physics (VDSP) and the VCQ-PhD-programme
  • Renowned publications in Science, Nature Portfolio, Physical Review Letters
  • Teaching Quantum Informatics Lab (TEQUILA), a joint project of research groups within the Faculty of Computer Science and Faculty of Physics

Cross-institutional collaborations, including: 

Innovation and technology transfer:

ÖPG-SPS Meeting 2025 with experts from Austria and Switzerland

When: 18 to 22 August 2025

Every two years, the Austrian Physical Society (ÖPG) and the Swiss Physical Society (SPG) organise a joint conference. As a central binational event, this conference brings together leading experts from all physics disciplines in Austria and Switzerland, including early stage scientists and students. Plenary lectures and a public lecture for the interested public in the Austrian Academy of Sciences offer a unique opportunity to share the wonder of physics with an engaged and curious audience. 

Where: University of Vienna, Universitätsring 1, 1010 Vienna 

Target group for the conference: experts and young scientists from all physics-related disciplines in Austria and Switzerland. 

Target group of the public lecture: the interested general public 

Further information: https://oepg-sps-meetingvienna2025.univie.ac.at/

 

Quantum Innovation Lab

When: 25 to 28 September 2025

The Quantum Innovation Lab is an entrepreneurship programme designed to support quantum researchers at all career stages to bring their ideas from the laboratory to the market. Through an intensive boot camp, expert-led webinars and mentoring, participants acquire essential skills in the areas of deep-tech innovation, intellectual property and business development. The programme connects researchers with the industry, investors and incubators, thereby strengthening Austria’s quantum technology ecosystem. 

Where: Bad Ischl 

Further information: https://ilabs.univie.ac.at/quantum-ilab/

 

These events have already taken place:

  • Quantum Career Day (April 2025)
  • QuantA initiative in Osaka (May 2025)
  • Panel discussion on the semester question ( June 2025)
  • Vienna Children’s University (July 2025)

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