Anniversary for Lower Austrian Research Network

Regional areas are facing a wide range of societal challenges – including migration, inclusion, distribution of wealth, poverty and food security. Ten years ago, the Research Network for Interdisciplinary Regional Studies (first) was launched to investigate solutions to pressing questions and provide answers. This pioneering initiative of the Province of Lower Austria marked its anniversary on 11 June with a celebratory event at the Lower Austrian provincial library NÖ Landesbibliothek, attended by leading researchers and political representatives.

“The Research Network Interdisciplinary Regional Studies brings together six institutes in the humanities, social sciences and cultural studies based in Lower Austria. first is a central pillar of Lower Austria’s Research, Technology and Innovation (RTI) strategy. What began as an innovative idea has developed into a best-practice model unique for Austria. It is about collaborative research within a network that delivers the highest quality and enables projects on a scale that individual institutes could not manage alone,” says Johannes Pflegerl, Head of the Ilse Arlt Institute for Social Inclusion Research at USTP – University of Applied Sciences St. Pölten and one of first’s spokespersons.

Over the past decade, the network has facilitated numerous externally funded projects, promoted transdisciplinary collaboration and increased the visibility of research in the humanities, social sciences and cultural studies. Despite growing competition within the international research landscape, the network continues to rely on the strength of collaboration – flexible, cooperative and forward-looking.

Doctoral Research and an Endowed Professorship on Migration at USTP

“first strengthens institutes in the humanities, social sciences and cultural studies and makes a lasting contribution to Lower Austria as a research location. For our institute, the network has been, and continues to be, a tremendous asset, opening up entirely new opportunities,” says Pflegerl.

Within the framework of first, one of the first funded doctoral projects at Pflegerl’s institute was realised. Researcher Katharina Auer-Voigtländer, now Head of the Department of Social Sciences at USTP, examined in her doctoral thesis how people who migrated to Austria because they had to flee their home countries settle in Austria. She placed the lived experience of those concerned at the centre of her research, an approach that had previously received little attention in refugee migration research. She completed her doctorate with distinction (summa cum laude) in 2024.

An endowed professorship in migration research at USTP, funded by the Province of Lower Austria is also associated with first. The professorship on “Migration, Internal Border Regimes and Bureaucracy” focuses on bureaucratic practices affecting migrants’ access to healthcare and social systems.

Anniversary Event at NÖ Landesbibliothek

The keynote lecture at the anniversary event on 11 June was delivered by the internationally renowned intellectual and scholar of cultural studies Aleida Assmann. Researchers from the network also presented their work and future perspectives, demonstrating that first is greater than the sum of its parts – a successful model with international recognition

“first is more relevant today than ever. In challenging times, it strengthens not only our institutes but the entire research location of Lower Austria. We look ahead to the next decade with optimism and look forward to new joint projects,” Pflegerl adds.

The following institutions are part of first: the Institute for Jewish History in Austria (Injoest) in St. Pölten; the Institute of Rural History (IGLR) in St. Pölten; the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Research on Consequences of War in Raabs an der Thaya; the Institute for Medieval and Early Modern Material Culture (IMAREAL) of the University of Salzburg based in Krems; the Department for Arts and Cultural Studies at the University for Continuing Education Krems; and the Ilse Arlt Institute for Social Inclusion Research at USTP.

first – Research Network for Interdisciplinary Regional Studies

 Research Network for Interdisciplinary Regional Studies