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“Our goal is to grow a community of digital humanists”
How can we ensure that technology serves the people – and not the other way around? Questions like these are being researched at the new Doctoral College for Digital Humanism – a joint project of WU, the University of Vienna and TU Wien. In this interview, WU researchers Marta Sabou and Jan Maly explain why the world needs Digital Humanism more than ever.
Russian gas: what Austria and Europe have learned from their dependence
Austria's ability to weather Gazprom's recent gas supply halt to OMV highlights the significant progress made since 2022, when Europe faced severe economic risks due to heavy reliance on Russian gas. A study led by the Complexity Science Hub shows how coordinated responses, including gas storage and alternative supply routes, can mitigate potential damage, and offers key lessons for future crises.
ERC Grant for MINE-THE-GAP: Mining monitoring with satellite data and AI
As global demand for raw materials intensifies due to the material needs of digitalization and decarbonization, the new MINE-THE-GAP project aims to address a critical knowledge gap in mining's environmental and social impacts by creating scalable, reliable mining indicators using advanced satellite data and AI.
How can we make online decision-making fairer?
From Doodle surveys to digital democracy: The internet gives us new opportunities to make group decisions. But how can such votes be made as fair as possible? This is what WU researcher Jan Felix Maly looks at in a new research project.
Shared mobility: more challenging than expected, less sustainable than hoped for
Car sharing and other shared mobility services are supposed to reduce traffic and emissions – but so far, there has been little evidence of this. WU Vienna University of Economics and Business researchers have investigated why this is the case. They show: Car-centered infrastructure discourages sustainable mobility.
New tool provides knowledge on heat stress vulnerability in cities
Heat-related deaths and diseases are a major concern in Europe amid increasing extended periods of extreme heat. A new study proposes a novel way of quantifying and projecting future vulnerability to heat stress in different areas of a city, providing local decision-makers with knowledge for designing more effective adaptation strategies.
How can wealthy nations respond to the baby bust?
In recent decades, fertility rates in high-income countries have steadily declined. A new study analyzed demographic trends and their consequences. The authors emphasize that despite the significant economic challenges posed by low fertility, a strategic and consistent policy response can effectively mitigate most adverse consequences.
The illiberal dawn: WU researcher warns against erosion of international law
More and more states are under authoritarian rule, and authoritarian regimes are trying to influence international law in their favor. Monika Polzin, professor of public law and international law at WU Vienna University of Economics and Business, addresses this threat in her research.
How divorce affects kids: Study finds negative long-term effects for children of divorce
More and more children are growing up in single-parent households. In a new study, researchers from WU Vienna University of Economics and Business and the JKU Linz show that this can have negative consequences for their entire lives.
Mapping global rooftop growth for sustainable energy and urban planning
A novel machine learning framework to estimate global rooftop area growth from 2020 to 2050 can aid in planning sustainable energy systems, urban development, and climate change mitigation, and has potential for significant benefits in emerging economies.