Social media engender new forms of religious and social life among the Indonesian middle class, a circumstance that particularly benefits Muslim women. Poorer strata, on the other hand, have limited digital access, which creates an “Islamic digital divide”, as is shown by a research project funded by the Austrian Science Fund FWF. Continue reading “Social media change religious practice”
The dominant impression we have of the Byzantine Empire is that it was a rigid, traditional and luxurious culture. A project on marginalization funded by the Austrian Science Fund FWF now shows there were also phases of tolerance towards marginalized groups. This throws a new light on the historical development of this culture in terms […] Continue reading “Byzantium: new insights into marginalized groups”
The assets that refugees who fled Austria during the Second World War were able to take with them were mostly just experience and a good education. Combined with the pioneering spirit of these individuals, these qualities have made a lasting impact on the culture and economy of many countries, as contemporary historian Philipp Strobl demonstrates […] Continue reading “The cultural capital of refugees”
Martin Dolezal is the first researcher to investigate forms of political protest on a variety of issues in Austria between 1998 and 2016. The political scientist is screening press releases published by the Austrian Press Agency. In an international comparison, Austrian society is less sluggish than its reputation would suggest when it comes to protests. […] Continue reading “What makes Austrians raise a protest”
A research group from Vienna developed a detailed model to identify impacts of different factors on regional knowledge creation and thus on the innovative capacity of regions. The results are intended to assist policymakers in their decisions. Continue reading “Where innovation develops”
Learn history by heart or challenge accepted truths? Funded by the Austrian Science Fund FWF, a project on history education shows that history lessons in grades 6 to 8 still aim at teaching content rather than skills. What is more, the full potential of history textbooks often remains untapped. Continue reading “History skills need more fostering”
In a project financed by the Austrian Science Fund FWF, a research group from Innsbruck investigated how companies involve employees and also outsiders in their strategy development and what effects such involvement has. It speeds things up. Continue reading “Businesses benefit from more democracy”
Autobiographies as a source are often viewed with scepticism in theatre research. A project funded by the Austrian Science Fund FWF has now demonstrated their value. Such self-portrayals dating from before 1945 provide new perspectives on German-speaking theatre. Continue reading “Self-portrayal as a source of knowledge”
Baroque furniture in churches and monasteries provides important information on features of manufacture and design. With the support of the FWF, an art historian is drawing up a comprehensive catalogue. This will also provide a basis for assigning secular furniture to a specific period and region. Continue reading “Making furniture for church and nobility”
The construction history of St. Stephen’s Cathedral stretching over 300 years has been fleshed out with additional important elements. With the support of the FWF, open questions about issues such as financing or religious objects that have vanished can now be answered thanks to a systematic evaluation of several thousand documentary sources. Continue reading “St. Stephen’s Cathedral: new facets of its architectural history”