Research units and teams

• Foundations of Education

  We examine the cultural, religious, political and economic conditions shaping educational thought, institutions and practices, as these have developed in different ways across various contexts over the past few centuries, and explore their role in political agendas such as nation-building and globalisation.

• Early Childhood Education

  Our research into early childhood education focuses on identifying the best educational approaches and environments that promote the holistic development of children in the early years – both in nursery and within the family learning environment.

• Education and Inequality

  This research area carries out participatory and qualitative studies on inequality in various educational processes.

• Educational Research and Theory

  Empirical educational research and educational theory are studied in terms of their interplay. In this way, specific research projects are linked to systematic theoretical considerations, and concepts from the philosophy of education are correlated with empirical educational research.

• Biography, Education and Society

  We examine educational, socialisation and learning processes in the context of the interplay between individual life histories, institutions and social conditions, with a view to drawing conclusions for (social) educational practice.

• Empirical Education Research

  Educational research will fall into disrepair without the right methodology! -- We are investigating empirical methods in educational research.

• Gender Studies

  This field of study examines how gender shapes power relations, creates or prevents opportunities for certain groups of people, and relates to the identities of individuals and groups, as well as the role gender plays in social discourses.

• History of Education

  Education has had and continues to have many meanings and is a central aspect of all global cultures. The History of Education seeks to understand the cultures of the past through this central theme.

• Inclusive Education

  We conduct research into educational processes in the context of human diversity and are particularly interested in disability from an intersectional perspective, or as a socio-cultural phenomenon, and across the entire lifespan, including life transitions.

• Media Education

  We examine the structure, production and reception of media in educational contexts with a view to developing and refining critical and creative methods of intervention.

• Psychoanalysis and Education

  The focus is on the significance of emotional and unconscious processes in educational and related fields of practice, institutions and relationships (such as family, school, counselling, training and further education, or psychotherapy).

• School and Educational Research in an International Context

  We conduct research into education and schools worldwide, with a particular focus on the Global South and the global dissemination and adoption of educational models.

• Partial Allocations at ZLB and the Department

  The Centre for Teacher Education (ZLB) at the University of Vienna is the organisational and coordinating interface for all tasks related to teacher education.