Educational Sciences
Department of Educational Science
The focus of research and teaching at the Department of Education and Educational Science is on educational processes throughout the entire lifespan of individuals and within the context of social change processes.
Based on relevant theory and research the living and learning environments of children, adolescents and adults at various ages are analyzed and then shaped to match present and future requirements. We adopt a relatively broad focus and deal with numerous configurations of organiszations and institutions operating in the field of educational services. Further information can be found at: https://erziehungs-bildungswissenschaft.uni-graz.at/de/forschen.
Department of Education Research and Teacher Education
In their research, staff at the Department of Educational Research and Pedagogical Training (IBP) place a strong emphasis on issues relating to the professional handling of heterogeneity and diversity in the face of social challenges and pedagogical demands as well as on those relating to school and teaching development in institutional contexts. Specifically, educational, sociological and psychological theories are discussed, developed and empirically tested. The combination of educational theory and various empirical approches, as well as the linking of theory and practice, are of particular concern to us. Further information can be found at: https://bildungsforschung.uni-graz.at/de/forschung.
Geographic Sciences
Departmentof Geography and Regional Science
Human geography research
Human geography researches the interrelationships between spatial structures and social processes at different scales, while posing the two framing questions of how societies organize themselves spatially and what significance spatial structures have for the functioning of society. In addition to conceptual perspectives on social-environmental relations, our department's fields of research encompass several processes of socio-ecological urban transformation and cover topics such as health, digitalization and everyday practices as well as strategies of regional development and geographies of consumption, marketing and collaboration. Further information can be found at:
https://geographie.uni-graz.at/de/forschung/forschungsgruppen/urban-heap/
https://geographie.uni-graz.at/de/forschung/forschungsgruppen/compass/
Physical geography
We are investigate climate change in various mountain regions of the world, and the associated effects on the cryosphere (snow, glaciers, permafrost) and the natural hazards resulting from this and other factors. The mountain regions we study are also located in the Arctic, which means that we are also anchored in polar research. Methodologically, we draw on measurements of various variables of the geosphere (in geophysical, meteorological, hydrological and other systems) as well as on modeling and model application. Data from measurements and model simulations, and/or their combination, allow us to improve our understanding of processes in geography and to develop appropriate scenarios. Overall, we want our findings not only to contribute to the expansion of knowledge but also to support society in mastering major challenges such as climate and environmental change. Further information can be found at:
https://geographie.uni-graz.at/de/forschung/forschungsgruppen/cscade
https://geographie.uni-graz.at/de/forschung/forschungsgruppen/cc-more/
Geospatial technologies
These entail the development of skills in geostatistics and spatial analysis, geoinformatics, geographic remote sensing and cartography. Further information can be found at:
https://geographie.uni-graz.at/de/forschung/forschungsgruppen/geospatial-technologies-gst/
RCE Graz-Styria: Center for Sustainable Social Transformation
The RCE Graz-Styria is an interdisciplinary team and operates as part of a large network of partners from science and society. A guiding concept in research and education is transdisciplinarity. Fields covered by RCE are those of socio-ecological transformation in general, and sustainable housing, urban green spaces, sustainable mobility and solidarity-based economic activity in particular. Further information can be found at:
https://regional-centre-of-expertise.uni-graz.at/de/
Regional Centre for Didactics of Geography and Economics
Further information can be found at:
https://www.rfdz.at
Sports Sciences
Department of Human Movement Science, Sport and Health
This branch of science focuses on the social and individual significance of physical activity, training, sport and play. The Department of Human Movement Sciences, Sport and Health conducts interdisciplinary research in the three areas of health, performance and education. These areas are covered by the research disciplines of movement and sports pedagogy, biomechanics and movement science, public health and training therapy, and training science.
The research ranges from training planning, analysis, diagnostics and measurement of movement sequences and individual movements, to a diversity-sensitive approach to movement, play and sport as an educational topic, the development of movement programs for individuals and population groups, and on to modelling, in order to provide future-oriented, socially relevant solutions at the behavioural and relationship level. Various areas of movement research offer opportunities for engaging in interdisciplinary research projects in order to develop innovative approaches. Further information can be found at:
https:/https://bewegungswissenschaften.uni-graz.at/de/forschen
Environmental Systems Sciences
Department of Environmental Systems Sciences
Our research covers the management of human-environment systems, whereby the core fields of application are the impacts of global change, resource and technology management and learning processes for sustainability. Further information can be found at: https://ess.uni-graz.at/de/forschung
Wegener Center for Climate and Global Change
As an internationally oriented interdisciplinary department of the University of Graz, we conduct research and teaching with a focus on the physical and socio-economic aspects of climate change and on the transition to a CO2-neutral world. Our research ranges from monitoring, analysis and modeling of climate and environmental change to the study of the impacts of climate change and the role of humans in climate change adaptation, in mitigation measures, and in the transition to a carbon-neutral economy and society.
The Wegener Center brings together scientists from the fields of geophysics and climate physics, meteorology, geography, and economics, as well as those from social and complexity sciences, and is a key department in the Field of Excellence Climate Change Graz. At the same time, we maintain and develop close relationships with many national and international partners.
Our research interests are also reflected in our strong commitment to promoting young researchers and teaching. We offer the unique master's program Climate Change and Transformation Science and provide expertise to support teaching in environmental systems science, physics, economics, sustainable development and global studies, in bachelor's, master's and doctoral programs. Further information can be found at: https://wegcenter.uni-graz.at/de/forschen