Department of Sociology

The Department of Sociology incorporates sociological research and teaching at the University of Vienna. As to its history, the department is influenced by the traditions of the Viennese School, which focused on social problems. Its programme of empirical analysis serves to combine diagnosis of society and sociological theory. In sociology, the focus is on an analysis of current social challenges and developments in Austria and Europe. Research is oriented towards current social problems, has a strong empirical orientation and is closely related to contexts of application. It is integrated into the international discourse and develops sociological theories on the basis of relevant social diagnoses. The current focuses are (1) work, organisation and gender relations; (2) family, generations and life course; (3) migration, cities and social inequality; as well as (4) knowledge, culture and visual worlds.