www.donau-uni.ac.at/research Research Report 2020/21 Danube University Krems. University for Continuing Education. Contents 1 Contents 1 Foreword 3 Introduction 4 Æ Overall university main field of research: Regenerative Medicine 6 Regenerative Medicine 8 Sepsis and Pathogen Diagnostics 12 PhD Program Regenerative Medicine 18 Psychotherapy and Biopsychosocial Health 22 Neurosciences and Prevention 28 Æ Overall university main field of research: Cohesive and Innovative Societies 34 Digitalization 36 Innovative and Sustainable Solutions in Complex Systems 44 Study of Democracy, Law and Europe 50 Sensor Technology and Energy Efficiency 58 Migration and Globalization 64 PhD Migration Studies 70 Evidence-based Medicine 74 Sustainable Habitats 80 Food Chains and Ecotoxicology 84 We gratefully acknowledge funding by: Æ Overall university main field of research: Cultural Heritage 90 With the support of the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union Revitalization and Cultural Heritage 92 Collections Management and Image Science 98 Jubilee Fund, City of Vienna Æ Overall university main field of research: Continuing Education Research 104 Higher Education Management 106 Higher Education Research 112 Interfaculty Research Groups 116 Æ Figures, Data, Facts 120 Imprint Facts & Figures 122 Research in Figures 124 Herausgeber / Media owner: Universität für Weiterbildung Krems, Dr.-Karl-Dorrek-Str. 30, 3500 Krems Recently Appointed Professors and Assistant Professors 126 Konzept / Concept: Vizerektorat für Forschung, Stabsstelle für Forschungsservice, DLE Kommunikation und Wissenschaftsredaktion Abwicklung und Redaktion / Editing: Science & Society 128 Stefan Sagl, Roman Tronner (Koordination), Rainer Alexander Hauptmann, Katharina Roll Outlook 130 Übersetzung / Translation: University for Continuing Education Krems Lektorat / Proof-reading: Josef Weilguni Gestaltung / Graphic Design: Gudrun Mittendrein, DLE Marketing und Marketing Services / studio d–p Fotos / Pictures: University for Continuing Education Krems/Archive, Andrea Reischer, Walter Skokanitsch, private, Unsplash, Michael Dürr, Michael Brus Redaktionsschluss / Copy deadline: 30 April 2021 Druck / Print: gugler* print Alle Rechte vorbehalten / All rights reserved. 2 Foreword 3 Research Driven by Responsibility for Society Research at the University for Continuing “The University for Education Krems is motivated by a desire to find answers to the major challenges facing Continuing Education society today. In keeping with our transdisci- plinary focus, we build bridges between basic Krems responds to the and applied research and integrate knowledge from various disciplines with knowledge from rapid pace of changes outside the academic sphere. in society and ensures Based on a clear research profile and the that its research university’s transdisciplinary approach, in the past two years the University for Continuing continues to produce Education Krems has set priorities that have led to significant developments in research: value for society.” The university’s four research fields Cohesive and Innovative Societies; Cultural Heritage; Regenerative Medicine; and Continuing research projects, the university has addi- Education Research have recently undergone tionally been able to raise third-party funding thematic adaptation, and a new focus on generated by EU programs. Furthermore it Evidence-based Health Research has been has expanded its existing PhD studies by adopted. This enables the University for introducing new programs reflecting the uni- Continuing Education Krems to respond to the versity’s focus on research. rapid pace of changes in society and ensures that its research continues to produce value The most important foundation for this con- for society. stant development and research success is our staff. It is their expertise, enthusiasm The University has continued to develop its for innovation and passion for new scientific European and international research networks insights that enable us to explore new terrain and is increasingly involved in projects under and generate new knowledge. Horizon 2020 / Horizon Europe, in partic- ular projects targeting societal challenges. With this in mind, we invite you to take a look Apart from acting as a coordinator of H2020 at our research and meet the people behind it. Viktoria Weber Vice-Rector for Research University for Continuing Education Krems, Research Report 2020/21 4 Introduction 5 Helping Find Solutions to Overcome Societal Challenges Developments in recent years have intensi- Networking and Europe Science and Society “The Faculty of Health and Medicine is fied the dynamics of societal challenges even Over the last two years, the University for Research at the University for Continuing Edu- characterized by its readiness to take up further. Environmental issues and events con- Continuing Education Krems has also suc- cation Krems is characterized by a transdisci- medical issues and deliver innovative nected with the ongoing pandemic have put a cessfully continued its strategy of increas- plinary approach, which specifically incorpo- therapy approaches. Strong transdis- spotlight on the role of science and research ingly anchoring its research in international rates knowledge and experience from outside ciplinary knowledge and competence in the service of society. Using research to networks and aligning it to the European the academic sphere. Transdisciplinary transfer are additionally ensured through help overcome major challenges, ranging from Research Area. There has been a significant research approaches are particularly suitable close collaboration with hospitals, insti- protecting health to digital transformation, rise in the number of research projects ben- when the aim is to develop a solution-oriented tutes, and businesses working in the field. from migration to the impact of innovation and efiting from EU funding over the last years, focus to deal with complex societal chal- This interaction enables us to effectively transition processes, and from the influence in particular in Horizon Europe-projects tar- lenges and transition processes. The trans- tackle the challenges arising in the health of lifelong learning to preserving our cultural geting societal challenges. This upward trend disciplinary laboratories, TdLabs for short, at system.” heritage, is an important part of the respon- is reflected, for example, in the increased the Faculty of Business and Globalization pro- Stefan Nehrer sibility borne by the University for Continuing volume of third-party funds that have been vide an environment for investigating complex Dean of the Faculty of Health and Medicine Education Krems vis-à-vis society. raised. issues and devising systemic solutions. This research revolves around the impact of dig- “The accelerated pace of global change Clear Research Profile PhD Programs and Interdisciplinary italization on the world of work and society, has a far-reaching impact on society and Research at the University for Continuing Edu- Research Groups questions of sustainability and issues of polit- brings with it extremely complex chal- cation Krems is developing in tandem with The two PhD programs accredited by AQ ical decision-making and democracy. lenges that call for innovative methods the dynamics of these societal challenges. Austria, namely “Regenerative Medicine” and of analysis and new decision-making The main research fields of the University, “Migration Studies”, are proud of their new The University for Continuing Education competencies. This is why the Faculty of “Cohesive and Innovative Societies”, “Cul- graduates and have also seen a fresh intake Krems also upholds its responsibility to Business and Globalization relies on trans- tural Heritage”, “Regenerative Medicine” and on these courses. Building on the successful society by making its research known to the disciplinarity in teaching and research, an “Continuing Education Research”, previously implementation of both PhD programs, the general public. It thus took part in the 2020 approach resulting in sound orientations four in number, have now been extended to establishment of further PhD programs in Long Night of Research, an event which was that come into being only with interaction include an additional field: “Evidence-based the five university-wide research fields has held online, and hosted school outings to between science and society.” Health Research”. This approach of contin- already been initiated. Research was further offer students an insight into science. With Gerald Steiner uous further development ensures the distinc- stepped up by the award of additional tenure the Research Summit series organized by the Dean of the Faculty of Business and Globalization tive profile of the research carried out at the track positions (assistant professors) and the University for Continuing Education Krems, University for Continuing Education. appointment of new university professors. it offers a forum where scientists and stu- “The impacts of climate change, digital dents from different disciplines can enter into transformation or indeed societal change With the establishment of two new interfac- discussion with members of the public inter- are three key issues for the future that ulty research groups, the University for Con- ested in doing so. sometimes pose challenges with regard to tinuing Education Krems further deepened ecological-sustainable building, continuous its strategy of interdisciplinary collaboration. further education, the further develop-