ENGLISH

ALPEN-ADRIA- UNIVERSITÄT KLAGENFURT

2017/2018 2 3

CONTENT

04 22 Alpen-Adria-Universität Klagenfurt Studying 07 24 Research Faculties 08 32 Key research strengths Knowledge space 12 34 Research initiatives in Contact multi-disciplinary research partnerships 20 Research and Doctoral Centre „Karl Popper Kolleg“ 4 5

ALPEN-ADRIA-UNIVERSITÄT Facts and Figures KLAGENFURT

FOUNDED 1970 Alpen-Adria-Universität Klagenfurt (AAU) is a Around 11,500 students study and research at AAU, young, innovative university at the meeting point approximately 1,800 of whom come from overseas. of three cultures. Since its foundation in 1970, Around 1,500 staff from 40 different nations work the university has established itself as leading in the university’s four faculties, university centres STUDENTS academic institution in the region and a hub for and central administration. 11.500 the whole of the Alps-Adriatic region in terms of knowledge acquisition, exchange and transfer. AAU is a campus university in the city of Klagenfurt, which has a population of around 100,000 people. In addition to its Klagenfurt campus, AAU also has SHARE OF sites in and . Klagenfurt is located in a OVERSEAS STUDENTS diverse region in the centre of Europe – the cities 1.800 of , Graz, , , , Venice, Vienna and are located within a distance of 90 to 350 kilometres from the city by road. The research achievements and study programmes that STAFF originate in Klagenfurt receive great international 1.500 acclaim. 6 7

RESEARCH RESEARCH AT ALPEN-ADRIA-UNIVERSITÄT

The four faculties – Humanities, Technical Scien- Age, Judgment, Public Health). Alpen-Adria-Univer- ces, Management & Economics, and Interdiscipli- sität places a special emphasis on providing support nary Studies – each incorporating a broad range to young researchers through individual scholar- of subjects, provide the supportive framework ships, mobility programmes and mentoring from which the university’s two outstanding key ­projects. Seven doctoral programmes offer research strengths as well as its four initiatives subject-specific, structured supervision as well in multi-disciplinary research partnerships have as guiding the students’ progress along an inter­ emerged, closely linked to research-oriented tea- nationally competitive scientific career path. ching: DOCTORAL PROGRAMMES: KEY RESEARCH STRENGTHS: • Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Economic • Social Ecology Development • Networked and Autonomous Systems • Health, Science, and Social Responsibility ­Communication and Management (HSSCM) INITIATIVES IN MULTI- • Informatics DISCIPLINARY RESEARCH • Modeling-Analysis-Optimization of discrete, PARTNERSHIPS: continuous, and stochastic systems • Modeling, Simulation and Optimization in • Energy Management & Energy Technology ­Business and Economics • Sustainability • Doctoral School Social Ecology (DSSE) • Self-organising Systems • Tax Sciences with a Focus on “National and • Visual Culture ­International Company Taxation“

The university is currently developing additional In addition, the Karl Popper Kolleg fosters long- profile-enhancing areas of research (Educational term synergies between promising young resear- Research, Entrepreneurship, Humans in the Digital chers and leading international researchers. 8 9

RESEARCH STRENGTHS INDUSTRIAL SENSOR NETWORKED & NETWORKS Wireless sensor networks for aeroplanes are developed AUTONOMOUS SYSTEMS and tested in collaboration with Airbus Group Innova- tions with the aim to save on tonnes of cables, thus ma- king the aircraft lighter. Particular attention is devoted to the reliability of the technology and its robustness in relation to disturbances or malfunctions. A separate project involves developing energy self-sufficient sen- The increasing use of embedded computer proces- sors to monitor temperature and degree of icing-up on sors and the ubiquity of networked systems is a the outer skin of the aircraft. global trend of great significance to both industry and society. EXPLORATION WITH ­AUTONOMOUS DRONES The Faculty of Technical Sciences‘ research into these networked autonomous systems enjoys a Algorithms developed at the AAU are used for drones high level of international visibility and is largely deployed in forestry and agriculture. Forests can conducted by research groups from Information thus be surveyed more rapidly and economically, and and Communication Technology and Informatics. agricultural land can be cultivated more efficiently. Co- ­ Researchers work on future mobile communication operation partners in this research area include the Jet networks such as 5G and Internet architectures, Propulsion Laboratory and the Universities of Southern resource-efficient and reliable sensor and camera California, Toronto and Carnegie Mellon. networks, autonomous mini drone systems and user-focused, high-quality multimedia telecommu- PRIVACY FOR SMART CAMERAS nication and information systems. In addition to the Cameras frequently capture sensitive or private data. A telecommunications, Internet and robotics indust- team of researchers at the Department of Networked ries, the possible areas of application also include and Embedded Systems has developed a camera that smart grids and medical technology. automatically converts recorded pictures into cartoons and signs these with a separate crypto chip. This ensures that while it is still possible to see what is happening in the picture, people are no longer identifiable and, thus, privacy is protected. 10 11

SOCIAL ECOLOGY

Originally oriented towards the natural sciences, ADVANCED ERC GRANT In recent years, the department has played a sig- environmental and sustainability sciences have nificant role in shaping international sustainability In 2017, the human ecologist Helmut Haberl increasingly been moving towards greater discourse with the concepts of ‘social metabolism’ received an Advanced ERC Grant. The MAT_ cooperation with the social sciences and huma- with material flow and energy flow analysis; STOCKS project has been endowed with around nities. The university’s work in ‘Social Ecology’, ‘colonisation of natural systems’ with land-use 2.5 million Euro for a period of five years. Haberl one of its key research strengths, is located at this indicators; socio-ecological systems modelling; plans to study the role material stocks play in interface. The majority of this work is carried out and its focus on environmental history and the development towards a sustainable society. by the Department of Social Ecology at the Faculty socio-ecological transitions. of Interdisciplinary Studies. THE CENTURY OF ­MATERIAL STOCKPILING The department has gained renown and inter- national visibility through its interdisciplinary A team of researchers has recently presented and transdisciplinary research on the interaction the first global estimate of the volume of natural between social and natural systems in the context resources accumulated in buildings and infra- of globalisation, global change and sustainable structure. According to their calculations, global development. Today, there is a great demand for in-use stocks of material rose 23-fold between partnerships with the department from academics 1900 and 2010, harbouring long-term conse- and other stakeholders. quences for loop closure and emissions.

HOW’S THE EARTH DOING? DATA FROM SPACE HELPS FIND THE ANSWERS The EU HORIZON 2020 BACI project is exploring how data from space research can be used to monitor climate change and is working to define new indices and units of measurement for observing the interaction between society and eco-systems. 12 13

RESEARCH INITIATIVES IN MULTI-DISCIPLINARY RESEARCH PARTNERSHIPS ENERGY MANAGEMENT & FOCUS ON SMART GRIDS ENERGY TECHNOLOGY The purpose of energy management systems is to steer energy consumption in such a way that – wherever possible – devices will run when there is sufficient energy available at the most reasonable price; that the system provides the consumer with feedback on consumption; and that energy deliver- The management of limited resources and climate ies from external suppliers are synchronized with change are among the greatest challenges facing own production (e.g. from solar panels). The Smart modern society. Here, the energy sector is of Grids research team is working on the best possible ­central importance. integration of “prosumers” in the electrical energy system. Consequently, the development of options geared towards the improvement of existing and the CYBER ATTACKS ON CRITICAL application of new technologies, for instance in the areas of energy generation and energy use, mobility INFRASTRUCTURE and Industry 4.0, is absolutely essential. At the “Advanced Persistent Threats (APT)” are attacks on same time, systematic and social solutions are just critical infrastructure like energy networks, which as important, if not more so, as approaches that are planned far in advance. An FFG-funded project solely follow the technological line tend to fall short called CERBERUS is making an important contri- (e.g. due to rebound effects) of the goal of allowing bution to the increased security of intelligent power business to become fully sustainable. Economic networks. activity, environmental protection and restricting the consumption of resources do not necessarily ENDOWED PROFESSORSHIP have to be in conflict with each other. The research Nina Hampl holds the endowed chair for “Sustain- initiative addresses issues such as energy and law, able Energy Management”. Her research focuses technological innovations, the energy industry, on the acceptance of new energy technologies and energy and land use and regional and economic strategic questions in the energy sector. The profes- matters relating to energy. sorship is supported by: Baumit Baustoffe GmbH, Infineon Technologies GmbH, KELAG – Kärntner Elektrizitäts-Aktiengesellschaft, Kärntner Wirtschaftsförderungs Fonds and Privatstiftung Kärntner Sparkasse. 14 REPAIRING CLIMATE CHANGE? Researchers in climate engineering work on technologies that attempt to ‘repair’ climate change caused by human societies using phy- sical, chemical or biological means. A priority programme run by the German Research Foun- dation (DFG) at the Department of Technological SUSTAINABILITY and Scientific Research is analysing the role of climate engineering in climate research and climate policy.

ECOLOGISATION OF Given global challenges such as climate change, the SCHOOLS supply of renewable energy and the conservation The central vision of the ÖKOLOG project, which of natural resources, AAU’s sustainability resear- is funded by the Ministry of Education, is the eco- chers see an urgent need for a ‘great transformati- logically, socially and economically sustainable on’ in production and lifestyle. design of the school as a living space, with the active participation of all stakeholders as well as A transformation of this kind can only come as the their willingness to share the responsibility. The result of societal changes, which comprise social project is led by the Department of Teaching and as well as technological innovations. Sustainable Schools Development. development, understood as the conception of an environmentally compatible, socially just and economically viable development, is a scientific and RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN political topic of international prominence. Interdis- SOCIETY, HUMANS AND ciplinary research and science-based policy advice THE ENVIRONMENT are particularly prevalent in the following areas: What does society know about its environment? energy, land use, social metabolism, environmental What is the relationship between the individual, reporting and sustainability education. society and nature, how does this relationship manifest itself and what are the spatial conse- quences as a result? These are the questions that occupy Heike Egner at the Department of Geography and Regional Studies, e.g. in geo- graphical risk research or in the development opportunities and limits for peripheral regions in the competitive race for globalization. 16 MODELS AND ALGORITHMS FOR SWARMS In cyber-physical systems, soft- ware-supported mechanical and electro-technical components are net­ worked together, enabling them to solve SELF-ORGANISING problems autonomously and on their own initiative. The EU HORIZON 2020 project ‘CPSwarm’ aims to deliver tools SYSTEMS and methodologies developed for the next generation of CPS.

SELF-ORGANISING SYNCHRONISATION Researchers in this field seek to understand sys- Building on this knowledge, systems are designed This work involves numerous disciplines: In the Working closely with the Max Planck tems whose components interact with and respond and developed that have the capacity to self-orga- social sciences, research is conducted, for example, Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organi- to their environment. For this purpose, they look to nise and that feature positive characteristics similar into how far social processes can be described by sation, researchers have developed and nature as a model and explore how self-organising to those of naturally occurring self-organising self-organisation and what impact self-organisation patented an algorithm for self-organi- systems work. systems with regard to robustness and evolution. could have on crisis situations, such as financial sing time synchronisation. Its conver- crises or epidemics. We know that self-organisation gence has been mathematically proven has also found its way into the world of technology, and experimentally tested by means since self-driving cars are no longer confined to the of programmable radio platforms. realms of fiction and are increasingly becoming a Suitable areas of application include reality. Within a few years, these cars are likely to industrial automation, where hundreds be part of our everyday lives. of embedded devices often need to run synchronously. The participating departments conduct research in areas such as: ‘The Theory of Self-organisation’, PROPRIOCEPTION IN ‘Distributed Processes in Dynamic Networks’, ‘Self-organisation in Nature’ and ‘Self-organisation COMPUTER SYSTEMS in Technology’. Within the scope of a European research project, scientists have worked out a concept of machine self-awareness and are studying this in various applications. Using the example of an autonomous camera network, researchers in Klagen- furt have demonstrated that the tracking of persons by use of self-learning devices consumes fewer resources than a central method of control. 18 19

BOOK SERIES The ’Klagenfurter Beiträge zur Visuellen Kultur‘ VISUAL (Klagenfurt contributions to visual culture) are published in Cologne by Halem. The most recent volume, published in 2017, deals with the subject CULTURE of ’Moving images and everyday culture(s). 16 mm, Super 8, video, and cell phone video. Ama- teur practices as part of social aestheticisation.‘

EROTIC CINEMA Since the mid-1990s, visual culture has become an The majority of the research currently conducted by One of the interdisciplinary projects of the wor- important, internationally respected field of inter- researchers in the faculty is in areas such as ‘Film king group on visual culture addresses the his- disciplinary research at AAU. and TV Research’, ‘Popular/Populist Visual Cul­ tory and contemporary developments of erotic tures’, ‘Digital Culture and Game Studies’ or ‘Media cinema in and England. This area, which In 2005, researchers from across different disci- Philosophy’ and ‘Methods of Visual and Commu- has hardly been explored to date, comprises plines came together in the Faculty of Humani- nications Science’, ‘Aesthetics’ and ‘Performance numerous popular film genres, from romantic ties-based Visual Culture Working Group to put Studies’. There are numerous co-operations with dramas, sexual comedies and erotic thrillers all forward their views on visual culture theory and me- (inter-)national partners, among these with the the way to ambitious art-house films by leading thodology. This is a response to the penetration of Academy of Fine Arts Vienna, a valuable partner European directors. The project includes a daily life by a multiplicity of visual media. Here, they in the organisation and implementation of joint double conference in the autumn of 2017, held in subject images framed in different media forms to workshops for doctoral students, contributor to a co-operation with Kassel University. scientific observation and critical reflection. lively ­exchange in teaching, and joint collaborator in exhibition and research projects (FWF). FROM JEDERMANN TO THE As well as investigating works of art such as paintings or films, researchers also explore images OCCUPY MOVEMENT: from TV, advertising and video games. Interdisci­ FIGURES ’ JUST LIKE YOU plinary fields of research such as mobile apps, video AND I‘ games, public visual culture or gender imagery Everybody, these are the figures that are deplo- are some of the areas presenting new research yed by films, literature, the fine arts, but also by challenges. politics, advertising and on the Internet to appeal to ’everyone‘. What is frequently known as ’the common man‘ or ’the common woman‘, ’the man from the street‘ or ’the girl from next door‘ is studied here as part of a DFG-funded project. The objective is to establish a cultural historical iconography of the figure of ’everybody‘. 20 21

RESEARCH AND DOCTORAL CENTRE KARL POPPER KOLLEG

The Karl Popper Kolleg (KPK) is a centre for research and doctoral studies founded by Alpen-Adria-Univer- sität Klagenfurt in 2014. The links between KPK and STARTING AAU foster long-term synergies between promising IN OCTOBER 2017 young researchers to collaborate with international the second cycle will commence researchers at the cutting edge of their fields (scientists with two different topics in residence). • Modeling, Analysis, Simulation Initially, once per programme cycle, two and Optimization of Discrete, researchers of excellent scholarly reputation ­Continuous, and Stochastic Systems ­appointed Karl Popper Fellows will come to Klagen- with Applications in Business and furt to conduct research at AAU for one semester. Economics (MANSIO)

The KPK contributes to internationalization and • Networked Autonomous Aerial accessibility within the region; enhances the Vehicles (NAV) region’s reputation; offers exciting opportunities to highly-qualified young researchers and also gene- rates long-term secondary or ‘multiplier’ effects within the region. The KPK is based at the Klagen- furt campus.

From 2015 to 2018, the theme of the first cycle at Karl Popper Kolleg is ‘Modeling – Simulation – Optimization (MSO) in the field of Mathematics and Technical Sciences’. 22 23

STUDYING 17 BACHELOR’S 25 MASTER’S PROGRAMMES PROGRAMMES STUDYING AT Applied Business Administration Branch of Study Adult and / Applied Applied Business Administration / Applied Business Administration: Branch of Study ALPEN-ADRIA-UNIVERSITÄT Business Administration Branch of Study Energy and Environmental Management / International Business Administration / Applied ­Applied Business Administration: Branch of Study Cultural Studies / Applied Informatics / Business ­Entrepreneurship / Applied Business and Law / Educational Science / English and Administration: Branch of Study General American Studies / Geography / German Studies / Management / Applied Cultural Studies / Applied History / Information Management / Information Informatics / Business and Law / English and AAU is recognised for its exceptional teaching and Communications Engineering Branch of Study American Studies / Game Studies and Engineering / quality and wide range of degree and continuing Engineering / Information and Communications Geography and Regional Research: Geographical education programmes. There are around 11,500 Engineering Branch of Study Business Engineering / Systems Sciences / German Studies / German students studying and researching at the univer- Media and Communications Science / Philosophy / Studies in an Intercultural Context / History / sity. Psychology / Romance Studies / Slavonic Studies / Information and Communications Engineering: Technical Mathematics Branch of Study Autonomous Systems and The degree programmes have been designed in Robotics / Information and Communications such a way that the students have access to a Engineering: Branch of Study Business sufficient number of teaching staff, to ensure swift Engineering / Information and Communications study progress while maintaining superior stan- 10 TEACHER Engineering: Branch of Study Networks and dards in terms of content. TRAINING Communications / Information Management / International Management / Media and The number of students at AAU has been increa- PROGRAMMES Convergence Management / Media, sing continuously for some years; at the same German / English / French / Geography and Communication and Culture / Philosophy / time, the funding programmes aimed at encourag­ Economics / History, Social Studies and Psychology / Romance Studies / School Education / ing particularly qualified students interested in ­Citizenship / Informatics / Italian / Mathematics / Science, Technology & Society Studies / Slavonic excellent research are also being expanded. Each Slovene / Spanish Studies / Social and Human Ecology / Social and year, around 1,300 degree programmes and 400 Integrative Teaching / Technical Mathematics continuing education programmes are completed. AAU currently offers around 50 continuing ­education programmes. This course offer makes 5 DOCTORAL AAU one of the largest academic institutions to offer continuing education in Austria. PROGRAMMES Doctorate in Natural Sciences / Doctorate in Law / Doctorate in Philosophy / Doctorate in Social Sciences and Economics / Doctorate in Technical Sciences 24 25

DOUBLE DEGREE The faculty’s active academic links within the Alps-Adriatic region are demonstrated, for example, by the ‘German Studies in FACULTIES an Intercultural Context’ double degree programme, which is offered in with the FACULTY OF University of Udine. HUMANITIES REFLECTING ON EUROPEAN CULTURAL HERITAGE Is there such a thing as European cultural heritage? Or is it the case that European culture is defined by its conflicts and As AAU’s largest faculty, the Faculty of Humani- culture; its ability to open the doors to knowledge historical rifts? Is it possible to overcome ties covers a broad spectrum of linguistic, cultural and scientific learning in an Alps-Adriatic region inflexible fronts to achieve a European studies and social sciences subjects. This broad comprehended in a transcultural sense. spectrum is reflected in the faculty’s wide-ran- imagination, in which differences and contradictions are a natural part of the ging Bachelor’s, Master’s and teacher training The faculty’s subject-based research endeavours common whole? These are some of the programmes. Whilst these programmes focus on are complemented by efforts to pool together questions being considered by research­ a specific subject, transdisciplinary perspectives interdisciplinary expertise and establish interdis- ers and creative artists in nine European beyond the boundaries of that subject, such as ciplinary research specialisation. The linking focal countries as part of the EU HORIZON 2020 multilingualism, intercultural education or media points are the areas of visual culture, educational TRACES project. and convergence management or Game Studies research, migration/multilingualism, identity/ and Engineering, are also adopted. alterity, medieval studies and humanities/cultural studies. Interdisciplinarity is also key in terms of NEW RESEARCH The humanities make a decisive contribution to teaching within the faculty’s degree programmes; PLATFORM ABOUT the objective of linking economic and technological this is supported by a suite of complementary study ‘ JUDGMENT’ developments back to the discussion of human programmes. During the early modern age, the concept potential and opportunities for development and of judgment or, respectively, the concept also teach people how to form their own opinion of the power of judgment, was given new on a subject. With this in mind, the Faculty of ­meaning: Practices of judgment were Humanities acknowledges the societal relevance shaped and a culture of judgment was of its humanities, cultural studies and social scien- established that still remains a feature of ce-focused curriculum; its role as a transmitter of enlightened societies today. An interdis- ciplinary and cross-institutional team of collaborating scientists now aims to study this concept and its important role for the manifestation of modern societies, those which adhere to the values of tolerance and the appreciation of knowledge. 26 27 THE BEST STRATEGIES FOR CONSOLIDATING PUBLIC FINANCES When the economy falters, the state takes action. These measures usually involve in- creased spending or reduced tax revenue and are reflected, in the short term, in national FACULTY OF budgets. Funded by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF), a team of researchers is analy- sing the growth effects of different categories MANAGEMENT of the public sector.

AND ECONOMICS LEARNING FROM ENTRE- PRENEURIAL FAILURE In a research project funded by the Austrian National Bank’s Anniversary Fund, longitudi- nal company data spanning the period from when a company was founded to when it is The Faculty of Management and Economics has The faculty offers an attractive range of degree closed is analysed, and former entrepreneurs pursued an interdisciplinary approach since its programmes, firmly tethered to both theory and are interviewed in order to gain new insights foundation in 1993, which is also expressed in its practice, in the fields of Business Administration, into the phenomena of entrepreneurial guiding principle ‘thinking beyond business and Geography, Information Management, and Business learning, as well as entrepreneurial exit and borders’. The faculty’s strengths in co-operative and Law. The teaching subject re-entry. research and teaching are focused particularly on Geography and Economics qualifies future tea- the areas of ‘Business & Law’, ‘Business, Society & chers for their work in schools. In terms of doctoral OPEN ACCESS JOURNAL Space’ and ‘Business & Technology’. degree programmes, the faculty cooperates with 20 universities as part of the Central European PhD The ‘Journal of Mechanism and Institu- Particular emphasis is placed on the analysis of Network (CESEEEnet). The faculty’s three multi- tion Design’ is one of the first open access economic, legal, geospatial and social structures disciplinary doctoral programmes in ‘Entrepre- journals in the field of Economic Sciences. and processes. Researchers in the Faculty of neurship, Innovation and Economic Development’, It endeavours to publish original papers ad- Management and Economics are also concerned ‘Modeling, Simulation and Optimization in Busi- dressing the design, analysis and evaluation with innovations in business and society, regional ness and Economics’ and ‘Taxation – National and of economic, political or social mechanisms development and issues relating to energy and the International Company Taxation’ offer students and institutions. In (nearly) every case, game environment. and young researchers an excellent opportunity to theory represents the bracket that enfolds concentrate on a specialisation in an interesting articles from a multitude of disciplines, in line The interdisciplinary research focus on entrepre- field. Furthermore, the faculty is one of the main with the Klagenfurt-based economist Paul neurship endeavours to study issues relating to contributors to the doctoral programme ‘Health, Schweinzer and his co-editors’ understanding founding a company, company development and Science, and Social Responsibility Communication of game theory as the comprehensive method growth, succession and restructuring. What is more, and Management’. spanning the breadth of the social sciences. the faculty contributes significantly to the develop- ment and strengthening of a strong start-up culture on the campus at Klagenfurt. 28 29

FACULTY OF TECHNICAL SCIENCES INNOVATIVE VIDEO STREAMING TECHNOLOGY The spin-off Bitmovin GmbH enjoys interna- tional success, and has recently opened up a The Faculty of Technical Sciences has been in The faculty has developed internationally visible, facility in Silicon Valley. The company offers a existence since 2007. Its roots go back to the foun- application-oriented research strengths in the software tool with an algorithm that enables ding of the Department of Informatics in 1986. fields of ‘Networked & Autonomous Systems’, ‘Mo- the video to switch efficiently between different Staff-student ratios in the Faculty of Technical deling, Simulation & Optimization of Complex Sys- quality levels to guarantee smooth playback on Sciences at AAU are better than at many other uni- tems’, ‘Engineering of Software, Data & Knowled- all terminal devices. versities, giving students of all levels the constant ge-based Systems’ and ‘Multimedia-Systems’. opportunity for valuable discussion and dialogue DRONES ON MARS with lecturers. A further feature of the faculty is the research In preparation for the Mars mission in 2020, institution, Lakeside Labs GmbH, which is devoted NASA is testing the deployment of a tiny A key objective for the faculty is to use its excellent to the topic of self-organising networked systems helicopter that is steered autonomously using research and teaching to provide students with the in information and communication technology, and camera-based navigation. The algorithm that foundation they need for long-term career success; co-operates closely with the departments working allows this type of orientation without GPS is make a significant contribution to the development in this field at AAU. being developed by Stephan Weiss (Department of computer science, information technology, ma- of Smart Systems Technologies) and his team. thematics and statistics at an international level; and to provide significant support for the econom­ic SUPERMARKET HOME development of the region. The faculty views DELIVERY EFFICIENCY its research into and teaching of mathematics and informatics education as key to increasing INCREASED BY ­enthusiasm for these subjects through high-quality 10 PER CENT teaching in schools. A team of mathematicians with expertise in the area of optimisation has succeeded in increa- sing the efficiency of the delivery routes of a global retail brand in England by 10 per cent. As a result, the corporation has reduced its costs by several million Euros per year. 30 31

RESEARCH ON CERN: HOW DOES NEW KNOWLEDGE DEVELOP THERE? The research conducted at CERN looks at what holds the world together at its innermost core, in other words – the fundamental building blocks and FACULTY forces, which make up nature. How this new physical knowledge is created at the Large Hadron Collider, the ‘largest research machine in the world’, is the OF INTERDISCIPLINARY central question of a large-scale international re- search project, which also includes a project funded STUDIES by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF) and run by the Department of Science Communication and Higher Education Research.

SUPPORTING AND EXPANDING INNOVATIVE The Faculty of Interdisciplinary Studies was set up and application is effectively utilised in all thematic SCHOOL EDUCATION in 2004, however its institutional history goes back areas explored by the faculty. to 1979 when it was an interuniversity institute in For close to twenty years and through various which AAU played a significant role. The faculty The main emphasis of the faculty’s teaching project stages, the IMST project (Innovations Make is characterised by its experimental approach and ­activities is on postgraduate education. The range Schools Top), funded by the Ministry of Education focuses on its expertise in interdisciplinary and of offers can be represented in the form of three and carried out by the Department of Teaching transdisciplinary research, teaching and continu- pillars: deep disciplinary expertise, interdiscipli- and Schools Development, has supported teachers ing education. nary translation and transdisciplinary communi­ with the implementation of innovations in MINDT cation. The faculty offers Master’s degree pro- lessons (Mathematics, Informatics, Natural Scien- At the core of the faculty’s scientific efforts is grammes in a selection of key areas, it contributes ces, German (Deutsch), and Technology) at Austrian the drive to tackle social challenges. The faculty significantly to the teacher training degree in terms schools. It also encourages subject-specific didactics welcomes all problem definitions that require an of content and co-ordination and it is a crucial and schools development and passes the generated inter- and transdisciplinary approach. The topics participant in the education and training of doc- knowledge on through publications and conferences. are very varied and tend to correspond to the area toral students. Projects and continuing ­education of public goods. Selected social problems such programmes offered across Austria represent BETTER ORIENTATION FOR as education, science, technology, environment the ­faculty’s efforts in continuing ­education. The PEOPLE WITH DEMENTIA and health structure the work carried out at the ­faculty’s courses relate to the fields that course Currently, there are 130,000 people living in Austria faculty. A particular focus is placed on educational, participants work in and link these fields to with dementia. In many cases, mobility away from cultural, social, and natural sciences approaches ­research and intervention. the home is possible in terms of motor skills, but to questions relating to sustainable development. represents a serious problem due to difficulties with The area of tension between theory development orientation. An FFG-funded project at the Depart- ment of Palliative Care and Organisational Ethics is exploring potential opportunities for improvement in the area of . 32 33

KNOWLEDGE SPACE THE CAMPUS

Alpen-Adria-Universität is located in western Kla- brary, the Goess Library, and the Broch Library. The JOB/STUDYING & FAMILY genfurt, close to Lake Wörthersee and the Lakeside special inventory is the storage location for 30,000 Alpen-Adria-Universität Klagenfurt Family Services Science & Technology Park. AAU is one of the few ancient prints, 700 early prints, 271 incunabula, 374 helps students and staff to balance the demands campus universities in Austria and has two sites in paper manuscripts and 66 parchment manuscripts. of work or study and family. The facility offers Graz and Vienna in addition to its campus in Kla- flexible childcare for children aged between eight genfurt. The AAU campus in Klagenfurt stretches SPORTS weeks and twelve years, as well as summer holiday across an area of 100,000 m². Approximately half Austria’s most modern University Sports Institute childcare. of this area is unspoilt green space. Comprehensive (USI) is part of the campus and offers around 200 renovation work is being carried out on the cent- courses with approximately 5,000 registrations ENVIRONMENT ral buildings; the completion of the AAU in all it’s each semester. The USI offers a special programme new splendour is scheduled for the turn of the year AAU has introduced an EMAS III environmental ma- for top athletes, which offers one-to-one support 2017/18. nagement system. This is an environment manage- to help these students combine elite sports and ment and audit system developed by the EU aimed studying. LIBRARY at continuously improving environmental protection in organisations. The university library is the scientific information SPACE FOR ART centre of the AAU and ensures the provision of Art and culture are to be found everywhere on the literature and information media for the purposes AAU campus. Built by , the extensi- of studying, research, teaching and continuing vely refurbished ‘Vorstufengebäude’ was the first education. The origins of the library can be traced university building to be built on campus and is now back to the second half of the 16th century. The protected by a preservation order. AAU regularly university library houses approximately 950,000 hosts art exhibitions and showcases for academic printed books and extensive electronic resources. work and research. Set up in 1986, the University In addition to scientific literature, which serves to Culture Centre (UNIKUM) works to forge links support research and teaching activities, the library between artistic practice and research into creative is also endowed with precious special library stock: subjects. the Karl Popper Collection, the Joseph Buttinger Li- 34 35

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