Tracks Research Forum 2025

Here you will find the tracks together with the respective subject-specific sessions in which disciplinary and interdisciplinary research projects will be presented.


Applied Research in Sustainability

Research on sustainability is diverse and encompasses ecological, social and economic aspects. Thematically, we look at methods and applications of sustainability assessment, sustainable materials and packaging as well as environmental technologies and waste management. In addition, a further focus is on the development of sustainable business models, green communication and education for sustainability. 

This track focuses on research dealing with environmental sustainability. This research addresses at least two of the three pillars of sustainability (environmental, social, economic).  

 


Session 1: Methods and Application of Sustainability Assessment 

Topics: Life cycle analysis, sustainability metrics, impact assessment tools, etc. 


Session 2: Sustainable Materials, Material Science and Packaging Materials

Topics: Innovative sustainable materials, biodegradable materials, material lifecycle management, eco-friendly packaging solutions, reduction of packaging waste, etc. 


Session 3: Environmental Technologies and Waste Management 

Topics: Advances in recycling and EOL technologies, waste reduction strategies, circular economy practices, water management, cleaner production etc. 


Session 4: Economic and Social Sustainability

Topics: Sustainable business ideas, green marketing/communications, eco-design, sustainability and society, sustainability in education,  


Session 5: Innovative technologies and strategies for renewable energy production, storage, and distribution.

Topics: reducing carbon footprints, enhancing energy efficiency, and integrating sustainable practices into energy systems to address global climate challenges. 


 

The exact structure of the sessions and the lengths of the presentations, will depend on the number of submissions for each category. However, each session will include at least three presentations lasting 15 to 25 minutes each.


Durability and Resource Efficiency in Building and Design

Application-oriented research in the field of sustainable and recyclable construction deals with technical concepts, resource-saving materials, durable building constructions and maintenance strategies. The focus is on multiple use, recycling and the efficient use of local building materials to promote sustainability in the construction industry. 

This track focuses on application-oriented research in the field of circular, sustainable building.  

 


Session 1: Technical and design concepts for circular construction

Topics: Architectural concepts, multiple use, recycling strategies of existing buildings, life-cycle strategies, etc. 


Session 2: Circular and resource-saving materials for circular construction

Topics: Local availability of building materials, recyclability, renewable raw materials, material efficiency, recycling, etc. 


Session 3: Resource-conserving, robust building and load-bearing structures for long lifetimes  

Topics: Robustness vs. material reduction, durability vs. replaceability, etc. 


Session 4: Repair and refurbishment in building construction and civil engineering

Topics: Resources and technologies for maintaining, repairing and upgrading structures, etc. 


 

Applied Digital Health - Bridging Research and Real-World Applications

Digital health innovations address current trends and technologies in patient care, such as telemedicine, digital therapeutics, virtual reality and artificial intelligence. In addition, the role of digital tools in the management of chronic diseases and the acceptance of these technologies by patients will be examined, including ethical issues and economic perspectives. 

 

Session 1: Emerging trends in Digital Health 

This session focuses on the latest advancements and innovative directions in digital health that will shape the future of healthcare.  
Submission may address, but are not limited to, the following topics

  • Telehealth: Research on the impact and potential of telehealth technologies in enhancing patient care, accessibility, and healthcare delivery. 
  • Digital therapeutics: Research on developments or interventions that use software for prevention, management, or treatment of disorders and diseases. 
  • Virtual Reality in Healthcare: Virtual reality applications in healthcare for patient treatment, enhancing the patient experience, and education in healthcare. 
  • Artificial intelligence for health professions: Research on the integration of artificial intelligence in health professions to improve diagnostics, treatment planning, or workflow efficiency. 

Session 2: Chronic disease management using digital tools

This session will explore the integration of technology in managing chronic diseases, focusing on how mobile apps, wearable devices, and telemedicine are transforming patient care.  
Submission may address, but are not limited to, the following topics: 

  • Continuous patient engagement through digital platforms 
  • Real-time data collection for better monitoring and decision-making 
  • Development of personalized treatment plans tailored to the individual patient needs.  
  • Research and prototypical developments in the context of formal and informal care taking into account the needs of care professionals, patients as well as their relatives.

Session 3: Digital health and the patient/user

Submission may address, but are not limited to, the following topics: 

  • Patient perception and acceptance of digital health technologies 
  • Digital health literacy: patient competencies in using digital health technologies 
  • Digital health technologies to enhance patient engagement and empowerment 
  • ‘Giving them what they want or what they need?’ – Understanding the patient vs solving their health problem to generate the perfect digital health product. 
  • Digital health promotion in the workplace – chances, risks and burdens 
  • Ethical implications in the development and use of digital health solutions 

Topic 4:  Digital health advancements and strategies in Austria and Europe

Submission may address, but are not limited to, the following topics: 

  • Collection and analysis of health data: Exploring innovative methods, challenges, and applications in health data management. 
  • Digital health applications in Austria and the European Union - from political will to implementation 
  • National and international eHealth / telehealth strategies and the role of health professionals

 


Future of Health and Social Care

Our focus is on future-oriented developments and challenges in the health and social care sector. Innovative approaches and new models of patient care as well as socio-political measures are considered. These include new care models, economic evaluations of the healthcare system, integrative care approaches, prevention and health promotion as well as the role of healthcare providers in a diverse society. 

This track is dedicated to the future challenges and developments in health and social care. The focus is on innovative approaches, new models of patient care and socio-political measures.  


Impact Matters: Impact Research in Social Work

The central aim of social work is to bring about positive change for individuals, families and communities. The question of how these impacts can be measured and evaluated is becoming increasingly important as it supports the further development of professional practice. The focus is on verifiable impact and a wide range of research approaches in order to highlight both the effectiveness and the challenges of social work in different contexts.

This track aims to show a broad spectrum of research approaches and practical experiences in social work. By presenting research results and sharing best practices, the dialog between research and practice will be promoted.

 


Session 1: New horizons in impact research in social work

Topics: This session welcomes contributions that present new developments and perspectives in impact research in social work. We want to offer researchers a platform to deal intensively with questions of impact research and impact measurement. We particularly invite contributions that present innovative methods for measuring social work impact. We also welcome empirical research projects that are still in the conception phase, as well as contributions on current challenges and new approaches in impact research in social work.  


Session 2: Making impact visible: Approaches and challenges in social work practice 

Topics: In this session, we invite both researchers and professionals to present research findings, practice projects or joint initiatives - whether collaborative or independent - to strengthen the bridge between science and practice. This session will highlight how the impact of social work practice can be made visible and discuss the challenges that arise. The session will provide a platform to share experiences, methods and strategies for effective presentation of impact in everyday work.


Session 3: Combining research and practice: contributions by junior researchers on impact research in social work 

Topics: In this session, we would like to invite Master's graduates and doctoral students to present their research on impact orientation and measurement in social work. The focus is on linking theoretical findings and practical applications. We particularly welcome contributions that demonstrate how scientific research findings can be transferred to the practice of social work.  


Please let us know to which session you would like to submit your contribution. 


Human Centered Technology

We focus on research into human-centered technologies and address issues such as artificial intelligence, software development, hardware technology, materials science, additive manufacturing, the Internet of Things, renewable energies, green mobility and clinical engineering. A particular focus is placed on the impact of artificial intelligence, user experience and the development of new software solutions. One focus is on the implementation of these technologies in the public sector and the challenges that arise. 

This track includes contributions dealing with software and hardware solutions, renewable energies, materials science and manufacturing, as well as current issues in the field of clinical engineering.

 


Session 1: Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its implications 

Topics: Large Language Models (LLM), AI Education, Legal and security Aspects of AI, Embedded AI 


Session 2: Software 

Topics: User Interface and User Experience (UI/UX), Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD), Extended, Virtual, and Augmented Reality (XR/VR/AR), with special focus on the public sector) 


Session 2a: Software Use Cases 

Topics: Software use cases with focus on connectivity, dissemination, interaction with the public sector. Examples could include e-billing, e-government, “new work” 


Session 3: Hardware Development and Measurement Technology 

Topics: Circuits, power electronics, control engineering, mechatronics, sensors 


Session 4: Materials Science and Printed Electronics

Topics:  Materials science, printed electronics, thin film technology (production of thin films using different methods)  


Session 5: Additive Manufacturing 

Topics: 3D printing technologies, material development for additive manufacturing 


Session 6: Internet of Things (IoT) 

Topics: IoT Security and privacy, smart cities & smart villages, edge computing and IoT 


Session 7: Renewable Energy

Topics: Solar energy, wind energy, hydropower 


Session 8: Green Mobility

Topics: Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, green logistics, policy and incentives for green mobility 


Session 9: Clinical Engineering

Topics: Clinical engineering, technical infrastructure, automation in the healthcare environment


Session 10: Future Trends

Topics: Market analyses, analysis of political fields, assessment of economic sustainability, significance for the public sector, ESG and possible effects or consequences for the economy, AI and governance


 

Each session will feature three presentations, each lasting a maximum of 25 minutes. A brief follow-up discussion provides an overview and summarizes the topics covered. 


Biotechnology – white, red, green biotechnology

This track aims to show the diversity of biotechnological research at Austria's universities, universities of applied sciences and research institutions. The focus ranges from classical biotechnology to biomedical topics, toxicological issues to tissue engineering and covers the entire spectrum from in silico to in vitro and in vivo research.

The topics for this track cover a wide range of areas, including biomedical data analysis, biomedical sensor technology, drug characterization, tissue engineering, nano-encapsulation of proteins, food biotechnology and toxicological investigations.


Current challenges in sustainable tourism development – perspectives from research and practice

The tourism industry is recovering after the Covid-19 pandemic and is experiencing a transformation due to challenges such as crises, climate change and digitalization. From 2024, the ESG criteria, which promote sustainable concepts, will apply in Austria. Key topics in the track are the integration of the SDGs, social sustainability, the effects of climate change and strategies against over- and under-tourism. 

The aim of the track is to address current challenges in interdisciplinary tourism research in Austria.   

The tourism industry is experiencing an upswing again after the restrictions imposed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but at the same time, it is undergoing a massive transformation. 

 


Topics for submissions:  

  1. Sustainable tourism development
    What challenges and findings can be identified from research? What concepts are being developed by actors in the field of tourism and regional development? 

  2. Tourism in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 
    Ways to integrate the SDGs into the tourism strategy and the question of implementation in businesses.  
     
  3. Tourism in times of digital change and AI technologies  
    What are the potentials and risks in this area?  
     
  4. Multiple crises and opportunities for tourism   
    How are these transforming tourism? What findings are there from research?  
     
  5. Social sustainability in tourism 
    What findings are there from research on the topic of social sustainability?   
     
  6. Climate change and tourism
    How is climate change transforming tourism? What best practices are there for sustainable adaptation?  
     
  7. Un/balanced tourism and overtourism 
    What developments are municipalities currently confronted with in this context? What strategies are there for dealing with them? How has the Covid19 pandemic transformed the phenomenon? What alternative tourism concepts are there to deal with it?  
     
  8. Sustainable mobility in tourism 
    What are the findings from research and practice? What are the current challenges and models for dealing with it?  

Ideas forum 

Following the track, there will be an exchange between the universities of applied sciences and research institutions from the field of tourism research in Austria.    
Aim: To set an (interdisciplinary) agenda for future tourism-related formats and to revive cooperation between the universities of applied sciences in this field.  


Leading-Edge Research Programs

The “Leading-Edge Research Programs” track aims to make innovative applied research visible. Pioneering researchers are offered a platform to present their successful projects from programs such as Josef Ressel Centers, EU Horizon Projects, Doc Funds Connect or FFG flagship projects in short pitches. 

Under the title “Leading-Edge Research Programs”, we offer a special platform to researchers who are doing pioneering work in their field and are successful in outstanding research programs. 

Projects include the following programs: 

  • Josef Ressel Centers 
  • EU Horizon Projects 
  • Doc Funds Connect 
  • FFG flagship projects and COMET projects