Empirical Social Sciences
Research group
The Empirical Social Sciences research group analyses socially relevant topics in order to sustainably promote social, cultural and economic development in Vorarlberg, the Lake Constance region and beyond. Based on quantitative, qualitative and mixed-methods approaches, it offers well-founded evaluations, impact measurements and scientific monitoring. Thanks to its high level of methodological expertise and wide-ranging specialist knowledge, the team puts together customised, transdisciplinary project teams that can react flexibly to different issues.
Research focus
| Social work & inequality |
Investigating the characteristics, causes, correlations and effects of social inequality using empirical methods. Supporting social work through research into innovative and stimulating measures to strengthen social participation as well as through scientific monitoring and evaluation of practical professional activities. |
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| Community development |
Research in the field of community development with interdisciplinary integration of approaches and methods from social work, social and economic sciences and international development. The focus is on applied research projects with a stimulating and participatory character as well as the evaluation of projects and measures in the context of community development. |
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| Health & care |
Strengthening the attractiveness of health and social professions - especially in nursing, care, social work, psychology, occupational therapy and medicine - by developing innovative solutions to optimise processes, promote health-promoting working conditions and reduce staff turnover. Applying a participatory research approach to networking institutions, creating spaces for the joint exchange of knowledge and utilising synergies. Combining scientific independence with practical relevance to promote evidence-based and resource-orientated work. |
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| New work & organisation |
Interdisciplinary research in the fields of business administration, sociology and psychology. Analysing the operational and inter-company framework conditions as well as the consequences of current developments on a theoretical and empirical basis. Deriving practice-orientated recommendations for action for companies, institutions and public bodies - based on their objectives and empirical findings. Contribution to a solution-orientated and sustainable approach to the challenges of the modern working world. |
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| Arts & culture |
Investigation of everyday cultural phenomena as well as the framework conditions and interactions under which art and culture arise and have an effect - on the basis of empirical and cultural sociological approaches and methods. Establishing connections between art, culture and interdisciplinary issues. Analysing current challenges and opportunities in the field of cultural production and impact in cooperation with artists and cultural practitioners, their institutions and actors from politics and administration. |
