Political Behaviour

Political behaviour deals with the individual and collective attitudes and actions of citizens in a political context. This includes voting behaviour (reasons and motivations for voting for certain parties or candidates), various forms of political participation, including direct democratic participation, as well as opinion-forming processes and trust in political institutions and scientific knowledge among the population.

Our research in this area analyses factors that influence political decisions, such as Austrians' voting decisions in National Council elections, including social, economic and psychological determinants. Another focus is on political communication, i.e. the effects of the consumption of (digital) media coverage, as well as the impact of social networks on political attitudes and participation. The investigation of attitudes, information behaviour and reactions of the population in times of crisis, such as during the Covid-19 pandemic, is also particularly relevant. Overall, the aim of our research is to understand the conditions for an informed and active citizenry and the functioning of democratic processes, both internationally comparatively and with a special focus on Austria.

Current Projects

ACPP (Austrian Corona Panel Project)

Period: /

Sponsor: Wiener Wissenschafts- und Technologiefonds, Arbeitskammer Wien, Industriellenvereinigung, FWF


AUTHLIB

Period: 2022 - 2025

Sponsor: HORIZON

 

AUTNES

Period: 2009-2016, 2017-2019 (extended)

Sponsor: FWF, BMBWF

 

Citizen-centered democratic innovation: Understanding citizen preferences for participatory budgeting algorithms (Citizen-PB)

Period: 15.10.2024 - 14.10.2025

Sponsor: WWTF

 

EVS - European Value Study 2017: A Contribution to the Status in Austria

Period: 2015 - 2021

Sponsor: BMBWF sowie ausländische Stiftung

 

Digitize! Computational Social Sciences in der digitalen und sozialen Transformation

Period: 2020 - 2024

Sponsor: BMBWF

 

MC-Infotrust

Period: 01.09.2024 - 31.08.2027

Sponsor: EU

 

MC-IP-PAD: Interdisciplinary Perspectives on the Politics of Adolescence and Democracy

Period: 01.03.2023 - 28.02.2027

Sponsor: EU

 

PARTISAN - ERC Consolidator Grants

Period: 2022 - 2027

Sponsor: European Research Council

 

The meanings of `voting`for ordinary citizens, their causes and consequences (DeVOTE) - ERC Starting Grant

Period: 2021 - 2025

Sponsor: European Research Council

 

Wissenschaftsskepsis

Period: 01.07.2023 - 31.10.2023 (extended until 31.12.2024)

Sponsor: ÖAW

Completed Projects