Research Director since October 1, 2023
PD Mag. Dr. Karin Liebhart
Karin studied Political Science and Ethnology at the University of Vienna, pursued postgraduate studies in Political Science at the Institute for Advanced Studies (IHS) in Vienna and earned a postdoctoral qualification in Political Science at the University of Innsbruck. She also completed a university course in advertising and sales at the Vienna University of Economics and Business.
Research focus: Ideologies of Inequality (Racism, Antisemitism, Sexism/Misogyny); Political and Social Polarization and Radicalization; Far Right Politics in Europe and the United States; Alt-Right; Conspiracy Theories; Visual Politics (focus on Social Media); Memory Politics
Deputy Research Director since June 14, 2025
Mag. Dr. Stefanie Mayer
Stefanie studied Political Science and a combination of subjects (Women's Studies, Contemporary History, Media Studies) at the University of Vienna (Mag. phil. 2004, Dr. phil. 2016) and did the postgraduate course “Sociology of Social Practices” at IHS Vienna (2009-2012).
Research focus: Intersectional research on antifeminism, right-wing extremism, and right-wing populism; conspiracy narratives and (online) media
Recent publication: Global Perspectives on Anti-Feminism. Far-Right and Religious Attacks on Equality and Diversity (edited with Judith Goetz, September 2023)
Research Director until September 30, 2023
Dr. Birgitt Haller
Birgitt studied Law (Dr. iur.) and Political Science (Mag. phil.) at the University of Innsbruck. Since 1990, research associate at the IKF; since 1994, in addition to her research activities, responsible for project management at the institute; from 2012 to 2023, scientific director. External lecturer, e.g., at the Institute for Political Science at the University of Vienna.
Research focus: violence research, gender studies, judicial research, evaluations
Recent publication: Femizide in Österreich. Eine Analyse der Justizakten aus dem Zeitraum 2016 bis 2020, SIAK-Journal − Zeitschrift für Polizeiwissenschaft und polizeiliche Praxis (4), 16-27, Online:
https://dx.doi.org/10.7396/2023_4_B
Researchers
Lucia Delgado Freiberg, BA MSc
Lucia studied International Cultural and Business Studies (BA) at the University of Passau and Socioeconomics (MSc) at the Vienna University of Economics and Business.
Research focus: violence research, gender & queer studies, social inequalities
Viktoria Eberhardt, BA Bakk.phil MA
Viktoria studied International Development (BA), Journalism and Communication Studies (Bakk.phil) and International Development (MA) at the University of Vienna.
Research focus: gender studies, queer studies, development economics, feminist economics
Isabel Meuser, MA
Isabel studied Sociology (MA) at the University of Vienna.
Research focus: feminist theory, care work, social inequality, gender-based violence, violence research and prevention
Dr. Günter Stummvoll
Günter studied Sociology at the University of Vienna (Dr.Phil.Mag.rer.soc.oec.) and at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia.
Research focus: criminology; sociology of deviance and social control; crime prevention; juvenile delinquency; social theory
Brigitte Temel , BA BSc MA
Studium der Soziologie (BA), der Gender Studies (MA) und der Psychologie (BSc) an der Universität Wien.
Forschungsschwerpunkte: Hass im Netz, Street Harassment, Sexarbeit, Gender & Queer Studies
Administration
Silvia Schwarz
Former Researchers
Mag. Dr. Helga Amesberger
Helga studied Ethnology and Sociology (Mag. phil.) and Political Science (Dr. phil.) at the University of Vienna. From 1993 to 2020, research assistant at the IKF, occasionally lecturer at various Austrian universities.
Research focus: Prostitution policy, National Socialism and the Holocaust, violence against women, racism, feminist research
Mag. Dr. Brigitte Halbmayr
Brigitte studied Sociology and Political Science at the University of Vienna (Mag. rer. soc. oec. 1992, Dr. phil. in political science 2005).
Forschungsschwerpunkte: Rassismus, gender studies, Nationalsozialismus und Holocaust, Oral History, Biografieforschung
Recent publication: BRÜCHIGES SCHWEIGEN. Tod in Ravensbrück – auf den Spuren von Anna Burger
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