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Platzhalter
Platzhalter

Dear Colleagues,

As I proudly present the fourth edition of our Research Newsletter, I am delighted to share a selection of research achievements from across all four of our faculties, offering a small glimpse into the excellent and diverse research conducted at SFU. In addition, this issue includes updates from the Research Support Center as well as a few excerpts highlighting SFU’s presence in the news. 

As the final issue of the year, it also offers a fitting opportunity to briefly reflect on the structural developments that have supported your research endeavors. 

Over the past months, several important initiatives have helped strengthen the way we support and organise research at SFU. One of the most significant steps was the launch of Pure, our new research data management system. This was a major project, and my heartfelt thanks go to the implementation team, whose commitment made this milestone possible. Pure now provides a much stronger basis for research documentation and reporting. I am particularly pleased to share that the Pure Research Portal is now live, giving all SFU researchers a public platform to showcase their achievements. 

In addition, meaningful progress has been made in implementing the CoARA principles – not only in research reporting, but also in external faculty evaluations and development talks. Almost a year has passed since the Research Intranet went live, and it continues to evolve as a central hub for information on conducting funded research, data protection guidelines, and funding opportunities. The recent expansion of our library resources further strengthens the everyday research needs of our community. 

Our science communication efforts have also continued to grow. Alongside this newsletter, we have been sharing research insights through our website, regular news contributions, and our social media channels. I would like to extend a warm thank-you to the entire team at the Research Support Center and to our colleagues in University Communications. Their teamwork and dedication have played a key role in making research at SFU more visible. 

As we move closer to the festive season, I wish you all a peaceful holiday, moments of calm, and quality time with your families and loved ones. Thank you for your remarkable commitment over the past year, despite many other obligations. 

Warm regards, 
Univ.-Prof. Dr. Marion Garaus, PhD 
Vice Rector for Research 

In this issue

News from the Research Support Center

Resources & Tools

Funding Opportunities

Research News: Spotlight on the Faculties

Highlights from the Faculty of Psychotherapy Science
Latest Research News from the Faculty of Psychology
Research Advances from the Faculty of Law
What's New in Research at the Faculty of Medicine

Third Mission & Outreach

SFU Research in the Media

News from the Research Support Center 

Partnering Your Research Journey: Meet the Research Support Center Team

The Research Support Center (Zentrale Forschungsstelle - ZFS) is your central hub for all research and third-party funding activities at SFU. In close cooperation with the Faculty Research Offices, we support you from project idea to completion. 

Meet the Team 
Under the strategic oversight of Vice-Rector Marion Garaus and led by Enikö Darabos, our dedicated team – Jelena Horky, Barbara Dissauer, Sophie Bitzinger, Theresa Scholl (head of 3C), and Franjo Jelenic (finance department) – provides expertise, personal commitment, and strong networks to support SFU’s dynamic research landscape.

Our Services 
From proposal support and budget planning to networking, capacity building, and outreach, we provide guidance at every step of your research journey, including access to a wide range of resources, expertise, and funding opportunities on Research Intranet. Find Instructions on how to access the Research Intranet and explore available services there.

Teaching and Research in Focus: A Dialogue with the Vice Rectors

On 11 November 2025, SFU launched a new series of dialogue sessions with the Vice Rector for Research, Marion Garaus, and the Vice Rector for Teaching, Stefan Hampl. 

The inspiring kick-off featured updates on ongoing projects, recognition of the Pure implementation team for their outstanding work, and a lively exchange of ideas, questions, and suggestions. 

Further sessions will continue to offer opportunities for dialogue, collaboration, and sharing best practices across the university community.

Looking back, the vice rectors expressed their gratitude:

“Teaching and research are the heart of our university, and we deeply value your dedication, energy, and engagement.” 

Research Resources & Tools

Our Library is Growing: New Digital Resources Available

We are pleased to announce three significant additions to our library services, designed to support your studies, research, and teaching. 

  • Access thousands of journals through the Wiley Online Library, including Open Access publishing for SFU authors. 
  • We are also expanding our existing EBSCO subscription with an additional journal package, providing full-text access to many more titles across all disciplines.
  • The EBSCO Discovery Service will allow you to search all our digital collections from a single, integrated platform, coming in February 2026.

CoARA Implementation: Rethinking Research Assessment 

Towards a Pluralised and Contextualised Assessment of Research Contributions and Careers

SFU’s Institutional Pilot Project CoARAverse in Psychology, selected for cascade funding through the Horizon Europe CoARA Boost Project initiative, is developing more contextualised and pluralised ways of documenting and evaluating research across diverse research cultures. 
Beyond traditional metrics such as publications or citations, researchers can now also record activities related to:

  • Collaboration and networking   
  • Support for early-career researchers   
  • Open access and research integrity    
  • Societal and policy engagement   
  • Research-led teaching and science communication   
  • Academic and community service
For more information on objectives and next steps in SFU’s ongoing evaluation reform, please refer to the CoARAverse Pilot Project at the Faculty of Psychology.

New Research Data Protection Policy at SFU 

As of November, SFU has introduced a new Research Data Protection Policy to ensure responsible manage-ment and protection of research data. 

The guideline provides a clear framework for the planning, collection, processing, storage, and dissemination of research data across all faculties. The policy applies to all researchers and is binding for everyone involved in research at SFU. Official versions are available in German and English; in case of discrepancies, the German version prevails. 

Researchers are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the policy and integrate its principles into their daily research practices.

Generative AI in Research and Project Applications: Guidelines and Practical Advice
The use of AI in research – whether for literature reviews, writing publications, or preparing grant applications – is currently a topic of great interest and debate. The EU has recently published the Living Guidelines on the Responsible Use of Generative AI in Research, based on regulations like the EU AI Act and existing guidelines from universities and funding bodies. They aim to help researchers, research organisations, and funders use AI tools responsibly.

The guidelines stress that researchers remain fully responsible for the integrity of their work. Key principles include reliability through verification, transparency about AI use, respect for privacy and intellectual property, and accountability for all outputs. Sensitive or unpublished data should not be shared with external AI systems without safeguards, and AI use in highly sensitive tasks – such as peer review – requires careful consideration. 

Confidentiality was also a major topic in the recent FFG Academy webinar Applying AI Tools in the Horizon Europe Proposal Process, where stakeholders – from grant applicants to evaluators – discussed what the research proposal evaluation system might look like in the future. 

The webinar’s focus was on practical advice: which AI tools are best suited for specific tasks, how to get support when preparing publications or project proposals – thereby improving the quality of the output – and how to set up a local AI system on your computer. The slides will be available on the SFU Research Intranet once provided by FFG.

Enhance your Proposal Writing Skills: FFG Workshops for Horizon Europe 
In addition to the regular online webinars offered by FFG, which provide information on calls and funding programmes, two special events on proposal writing for Horizon Europe are coming up.

Both are free of charge, but places are limited. We therefore encourage interested researchers to register as early as possible to secure a place.

The workshop Proposal Writing for Cooperative Projects in Horizon Europe on 13–14 January 2026 is aimed at individuals planning to submit a project (as coordinator or partner) for cooperative projects within a thematic cluster or an EU mission (excluding EIC Accelerator, ERC, and Marie Skłodowska-Curie). A concrete project idea for Horizon Europe is required to participate. 

The e-learning course FIT4FUNDING will run from 20 February to 26 March 2026. It combines several live expert webinars, a one-day live online training, and self-paced online learning modules (a total of 30 units, 50 minutes each). The course provides both junior and senior researchers with a comprehensive introduction to European research funding programs, with a focus on HORIZON Europe. 

Please note that an up-to-date list of relevant webinars and information sessions from various funding agencies such as the EU, FWF, or FFG can always be found on the SFU Research Intranet.

Funding Opportunities

ERC Grants – Consolidator Grant Open, Advanced Grant Upcoming

The European Research Council (ERC) supports investigator-driven frontier research within 4 core grant schemes with different target groups according to their academic career:

Starting Grants  -  Consolidator Grants  -  Advanced Grants  -  Synergy Grants

ERC grants are highly prestigious and are designed to support outstanding researchers across all disciplines.

In 2026, two ERC calls will be available: 

The ERC Consolidator Grant targets researchers with 7–12 years of experience since completion of their PhD, a scientific track record demonstrating great promise, and an excellent research proposal. The call is currently open, with a deadline of 13 January 2026. 

The ERC Advanced Grant is aimed at established, leading principal investigators (usually more than 12 years after PhD completion) who seek long-term funding to pursue a ground-breaking and ambitious research project. This call will open in May 2026, with a deadline of 27 August 2026. 

Horizon Europe Cluster 1 Health Work Programme 2026/2027

The Work Programme for Horizon Europe Cluster 1: Health, covering the final two years of the Horizon Europe programme, has recently been published. 

For the 35 topics scheduled for 2026, the call deadline will be 16 April 2026. Although the calls are not yet open, all relevant information is already available, and consortium building should therefore start now. All 2026 calls will follow a single-stage submission procedure. 

In contrast, the 2027 calls will be partly two-stage, mainly for topics where a high level of interest is expected. In these cases, the first stage will involve a blind evaluation. Deadlines are planned for April and September 2027. 

Priorities of the Health Cluster 2026/2027: 

  • Strategy for European life sciences 
  • Non-communicable diseases and cardiovascular health 
  • Mental health 
  • Impacts of climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss on human health and healthcare systems 
  • Pandemic preparedness and response 
  • Transforming Europe’s healthcare systems 
  • Digitalisation in healthcare (including AI) 
  • Innovative tools and critical technologies, such as AI and biotechnology 
  • Persons with disabilities 

If you are working on one of these topics and are interested in participating in a European research project, please contact the Research Support Center for personalised information on relevant calls. European proposals are typically submitted by large, interdisciplinary consortia from several EU Member States.  

Participation in the European brokerage event (26–30 January 2026) and the Info Day (10 February 2026) can be particularly helpful for partner search and consortium building. 

Further information on European calls under Horizon Europe and other funding schemes is available on the SFU Research Intranet.

FWF Funding: Open-Topic Programmes Overview 

The FWF funding programmes represent the most important pillar in the promotion of basic research in Austria. You can now find all the key facts about the open-topic funding programmes with rolling submission summarised in a compact, tabular overview on our Research Intranet: 

  • Principal Investigator Projects 
  • ESPRIT 
  • Clinical Research, and 
  • Arts-Based Research 
Funding is primarily intended for the recruitment of new scientific staff. However, support may also be granted for increased working hours, the principal investigator’s salary, as well as project-related costs such as equipment, consumables, and travel expenses.  

For further information and support during the application process, the Research Support Center team is happy to assist you.

Research News: Spotlight on the Faculties

Highlights from the Faculty of Psychotherapy Science 

First FWF Project at the Faculty of Psychotherapy Science

As of 1 December, the research project Ageing and Subjectivity in a Time of ‘Multiple Crises’ is located at the Faculty of Psychotherapy Science at SFU. We are pleased to welcome Dr Barbara Götsch as a new member of the faculty team. 

The project investigates how older adults (70+) in two different cultural contexts – Singapore and Vienna – reflect on the COVID-19 pandemic and other crises. It focuses on two central research questions: 

  • How do older people experience and process the COVID-19 pandemic and other current or past crises from a narrative perspective? 
  • How do older adults experience and talk about social relationships, and to what extent have the COVID-19 pandemic and other contemporary crises contributed to shifts in the character of these relationships – from intimate to more state-mediated forms?

Another Positive Review for a Key SFU Psychotherapy Textbook 

The influential textbook Experimental Psychotherapy Science: Innovative Therapy School Research at SFU Vienna since 2007 by Kurt Greiner and Tamara M. Trebes (2024, SFU Press) has received another positive review.

Friedrich Wallner (Jahrbuch Psychotherapie, 6/2026) highlights it as a significant contribution to foundational research in Psychotherapy Science.

Latest Research News from the Faculty of Psychology 

International Research Fellowships Abroad

Julia Struppe-Schanda and Emelie Rack, two of our PhD candidates, recently completed outgoing fellowships in Europe and the UK.

Their research took them to Uppsala University, the International Institute for the Sociology of Law, and the The Open University, where they collaborated with leading experts and presented at the inaugural Women and Girls’ Online Safety Conference 2025.
Welcoming Incoming Fellows at the Faculty of Psychology

The Faculty of Psychology is currently hosting three visiting fellows, funded through incoming scholarships from the faculty’s research budget, at its departments in Vienna and Berlin. 

Historian Robert Schümann, junior fellow at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (Germany), is collaborating with Prof. Rainer Gries and Dean Prof. Gerhard Benetka on a project exploring the role of historical avatars in political and historical education. His research examines how such avatars can effectively enhance communication and learning in the classroom. 

Stefan Schwarzkopf, Associate Professor at the Department of Business Humanities at Copenhagen Business School, is using his stay to investigate the psychology of possession avoidance. In cooperation with Prof. Ivo Ponocny and Prof. Rainer Gries, he aims to shed light on why individuals reject material possessions and how this can positively influence wellbeing. 

Vladimer Gamsakhurdia is visiting SFU Berlin from Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University (Georgia) to collaborate with Prof. Meike Watzlawik. Together, they are examining intercultural perspectives on mental health, exploring socio-economic, ethnic, and political dimensions of psychological wellbeing in Germany and Georgia. 

The faculty warmly welcomes the visiting fellows and looks forward to fruitful collaboration and scientific exchange. 

Research Advances from the Faculty of Law
 

Smarter Streets Ahead: Building Austria’s Digital Infrastructure

The FFG-funded UVAR_Austria project examines how Austria’s Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) can comply with new EU requirements for Urban Vehicle Access Regulations (UVAR) – local rules controlling vehicle access to reduce traffic and emissions. While digital tools like the Graph Integration Platform (GIP) exist, their use across the country remains inconsistent. 

Led by PRISMA solutions GmbH, the project explores how UVAR data can be standardised and shared via national platforms in line with EU standards. Prof. Konrad Lachmayer provides legal and governance expertise, contributing to recommendations and an implementation plan for reliable, future-oriented mobility data.

Austria’s Neutrality in Focus: New Book by Ralph Janik

On the occasion of several anniversaries – the 30th of Austria’s EU accession, the 70th of its independence and the declaration of its neutrality – Assistant Professor Ralph Janik has published a book (in German) on Austria’s current political and legal status, titled Auslaufmodell Neutralität?, co-authored with retired diplomat Franz Cede. 

The book explores Austria’s foreign policy over the past decades and the tension between neutrality and intra-EU solidarity in an era dominated by leaders such as Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, and Xi Jinping. It asks a provocative question:
Is neutrality a ‘dead’ or obsolete concept today? 

What's New in Research at the Faculty of Medicine

Clean Teeth to Make a Difference: New Guidelines Open Orthodontic Care to People with Rare Skin Disease

Early prevention and targeted manage-ment of oral diseases such as caries and periodontal disease have enabled individuals with epidermolysis bullosa (EB) – a rare condition characterised by skin and mucosal fragility – to improve their oral health and retain their natural teeth for longer. As a result, dental specialties that were previously considered contraindicated, including orthodontics, are becoming increasingly relevant for people living with EB.

A recently published article in Special Care in Dentistry, led by Sebastián Véliz from the SFU Dental Clinic presents Clinical Practice Guidelines for the orthodontic treatment of patients with EB. The recommendations were developed through an international collaboration involving experts from 12 countries, also including DDr. Gudrun Salamon from the SFU Health Lab | Competence Center for Medical and Health Psychology. 

Ophthalmology: SFU Graduate Wins Prestigious Writing Prize

Dr. Shady Atamniy, graduate in Human Medicine, has been awarded the John Henahan Writing Prize at the ESCRS Congress in Copenhagen. 

His essay, Thinking Beyond Optics: DEI and Unconscious Bias in Ophthalmology, highlights the critical role of diversity, equity, and inclusion in shaping the future of ophthalmology. 

The award recognises outstanding scientific thinking, analytical skills, and clear communication. 

Shaping the Future of Rare Disease Trials: RealiseD Webinar Series

SFU, as the coordinating institution, has started the Innovative Health Initiative (IHI) RealiseD project in collaboration with AstraZeneca and nearly 40 partner organisations. 

The project is launching a four-part webinar series aimed at transforming the landscape of clinical research for rare and ultra-rare diseases.

More than just informative sessions, these webinars serve as a call to action for researchers, regulators, health technology assessment (HTA) bodies, pharmaceutical companies, and patient organisations to collaborate and define new standards for evidence generation and trial design.

The series will address some of the field’s most pressing challenges, including the complexity of trial methodologies and the urgent need for patient-centered approaches. Each session will feature leading experts sharing fresh perspectives on innovative solutions and collaborative strategies to accelerate progress and broaden patient access to life-changing therapies. 

Webinar Topics and dates   

  • RealiseD: Realising Clinical Trials in Ultra-Rare Diseases – 13/01/2026 
  • Evidence Assessment Framework: The Need for a Mindset Shift Among Developers, Regulators, and HTAs – 20/01/2026 
  • Do You Want to Stay Single? Considerations on Single-Arm Trials in Drug Development – 03/02/2026 
  • Enhancing Patient-Centricity in Rare Disease Clinical Trials – 10/02/2026 

All webinars are free and open to the public, but registration is required via the links provided. 

Third Mission & Outreach

Shining Example of SFU Outreach: New ‘Sehr Erfreud’ Podcast Explores AI in Psychotherapy With Paolo Raile 

The Digital Couch: Opportunities and Limits of AI-Assisted Psychotherapy 

In Episode 10 of the engaging Sehr Erfreud podcast series, host Cheyenne Scheuch and psychotherapist Paolo Raile discuss how artificial intelligence is being used in psychotherapy today.  

Paolo Raile is a university lecturer at SFU Vienna, a licensed psychotherapist, social worker, and managing director in the psychosocial field. 

The conversation highlights concrete opportunities, ethical risks, and clear boundaries of AI applications. Paolo Raile also reflects on a key question: could AI ever become a real competitor to human therapists – or will it remain a supportive tool? 

Discover, Explore, Experience: SFU at the Long Night of Research

Save the Date: Friday, 24 April 2026, from 5 PM

SFU will once again open its doors for the Austria-wide Long Night of Research (Lange Nacht der Forschung), inviting visitors of all ages to explore science up close. From hands-on workshops to interactive lectures, there’s something for everyone to discover.

For the first time, SFU Linz will join the event alongside Vienna’s Freudplatz 3, bringing science closer to even more curious minds.

The evening aims to inspire children and young people, spark dialogue, and make research accessible—and fun—for everyone.

Engaging Society Through Memory Culture

SFU’s Digital Holocaust Memorial of the Institute for RemembranceCulture

The Institute for RemembranceCulture at SFU develops innovative, participatory approaches to Holocaust remembrance, including the Digital Holocaust Memorial.

Through educational modules, public projects, and interdisciplinary research, the institute fosters dialogue, raises awareness, and provides evidence-based strategies to combat antisemitism and racism. By making difficult histories accessible and engaging for all, it exemplifies SFU’s commitment to societal outreach and the Third Mission.

SFU Research in the Media

In recent weeks, SFU researchers and institutes have been featured in renowned media outlets, sharing their expertise on key societal issues. For this newsletter, we have selected several exemplary contributions:

APA OTS, 1.9.25 Überlebenschancen bei Lungenkrebs erhöhen: LBI für Lungengesundheit startet erstmals Früherkennungsprogramm in Wien / Improving Lung Cancer Survival: LBI for Lung Health Launches First Early Detection Program in Vienna – SFU Faculty of Medicine (Human Medicine)  

DerStandard, 28.9.25 Jüdische Psychologen Joëlle und Louis Lewitan: "In Österreich prägt der Opfermythos Familienerzählungen" / Jewish psychologists Joëlle und Louis Lewitan: “In Austria, the Victim Myth Shapes Family Narratives” – Joëlle & Louis Lewitan (Psychologie – Memory Culture)

Die Presse, 4.10.25 Die neue Gefahr am Himmel über Europa / The New Threat in the Skies Over Europe – Konrad Lachmayer (Legal Studies – International Law)

Die Presse, 25.10.25 Österreich – für immer neutral? / Austria – Forever Neutral? Ralph Janik (Legal Studies – International Law)

DerStandard, 26.10.25 Jurist und Ex-Diplomat: Österreich betreibt 'Schlawiner-Neutralität’ und ‘schizophrene Politik’ / Lawyer and Former Diplomat: Austria Practices ‘Cunning Neutrality’ and ‘Schizophrenic Politics’ – Ralph Janik (Legal Studies – International Law) 

Die Zeit, 28.10.25 Beinahe jede zweite Hebamme kann sich Berufsausstieg vorstellen / Almost One in Two Midwives Consider Leaving the Profession – Thomas Druyen, IZZ (Future Psychology and Future Management)  

Resonanzraum, Österreichische Mediathek, 26.11.25 Aus dem Leben erzählen: Erzählen als menschliche Universalie / Telling Stories from Life – Storytelling as a Human Universal – Barbara Götsch (Cultural and Social Anthropology)  

Kurier, 27.11.25 Warum 'Last Christmas' und Tannenduft uns zum Kaufen verleiten / Why ‘Last Christmas’ and the scent of fir trees make us want to buy more – Marion Garaus (Consumer Psychology) 


These examples represent only a small selection of the diverse research conducted at SFU and reflect the dedication of all colleagues whose work could not be individually featured. We thank them for their tireless commitment, expertise, and for strengthening SFU’s visibility in science and society.
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