Research Focus
The Department for European Policy and Democracy Studies (DED) deals with current issues in European policy and the study of democracy from a political science and sociological perspective.
The team members are concerned with researching the complex interplay of political institutions and actors in the EU multi-level system, as well as analyzing the implications of this system on European societies. The department’s research generates knowledge and expertise that supports processes of democracy development and the transformation of political systems in the European context.
Through well-founded empirical research the department provides political actors information, data and scenarios for decision-making and impulses for dealing with current challenges in Europe. Innovative methods, both qualitative and quantitative, comparative and transdisciplinary approaches as well as the dialogue with societal and political stakeholders are central cornerstones of the department’s working methods.
Currently, the research fields and research expertise of the department’s team members include the following areas:
Research projects
Publications
Donat, E.; Lenhart, S.; Elbaky, F. (2025). Altruistic, ego-centred or both? A value-based typology of supporters of a pro-European movement. Innovation: The European Journal of Social Sciences Research, 2025: 1-25
Donat, E.; Mataloni, B.; Ajanovic, E. (2025). Challenges to Inclusive and Sustainable Societies: Exploring the Polarizing Potential of Attitudes Towards Climate Change and Non-Heteronormative Forms of Living in Austria, Italy, Poland, and Sweden. Sustainability, 17 (4): https://doi.org/10.3390/su17041457
Fabry, Vivien; Hunklinger, Michael; Mügge, Liza (2025). Representing the Unrepresented? Examining Disability Representation in the German Parliament. German Politics, 1-24: https://doi.org/10.1080/09644008.2025.2466168
Turnbull-Dugarte, Stuart J.; López Ortega, Alberto; Hunklinger, Michael (2025). Do Citizens Stereotype Muslims as an Illiberal Bogeyman? Evidence from a Double-List Experiment. British Journal of Political Science, 55:e23: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0007123424000437
Donat, E.; Lenhart, S. (2024). Closeness to citizens as a source for political trust? A comparison of opinions on local parliaments and the European Parliament in 12 European regions. International Review of Administrative Sciences, online first: https://doi.org/10.1177/00208523241268063
Hunklinger, M.; Kleer, Ph. (2024). Why do LGB vote left? Insight into left-wing voting of lesbian, gay and bisexual citizens in Austria. Electoral Studies, Volume 87: 102727
Ajanovic, E.; Fritsch, K. (2023). Framing Covid-19 through memes: a way for young people to shape the narrative in Austria. Journal of Youth Studies, Online (first): https://doi.org/10.1080/13676261.2023.2199145
Donat, E.; Lenhart, S. (2023). The Debate on the European Union’s Future From the Perspective of Regional Members of Parliament. Politics and Governance, 11(3): https://doi.org/10.17645/pag.v11i3.6746
Ajanovic, Edma (2023). Femonationalism, Neoliberal Activation, and Anti-Feminism— The Shifting Discourses on Gender Equality and Women’s Issues in Austria. In: Beck, Dorothee; Habed, Adriano José; Henninger, Annette, Blurring Boundaries – 'Anti-Gender' Ideology Meets Feminist and LGBTIQ+ Discourses: 71-90, Verlag Barbara Budrich, Leverkusen
Donat, E. (2023). Einleitung: Einstellungen, Partizipation & Bürgernähe in Europas Regionen. In: Meyer, S., Europapolitik durch die subnationale Brille. Parlamente & Bürger:innen im EU-Mehrebenensystem: 293-301, University of Krems Press, Krems
