The Research Lab Democracy and Society in Transition, which has been in existence since January 2018, has two central research foci: science-policy interface, peace and conflict studies, global health policy and SDG’s.
Classical research approaches are undertaken alongside new methodological approaches and science-to-public projects.
These approaches are not in competition with each other, but rather make the diversity of thought, research, and experience more comprehensible. In order to strengthen the interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary of the research lab, close cooperation arrangements exist with other departments of the University of Continuing Education Krems.
UWK and Science Diplomacy: The work of the research lab connects with science diplomacy as the research conducted is highly contemporary research and strives to communicate this to policymakers, politicians, and diplomats in concise, useable formats. One example of this is work carried out by the research lab on topics related to health policy and society with a particular focus on digitisation that highlights perspectives for further development as well as directions for policy interventions. Furthermore, policy briefs provide entry for scientific communities into current debates. Examples of this work deal with trust in science and politics in the context of health policy or the evaluation of the Austrian Citizens Climate Assembly.
