Dr. LauraWiesböck
holds a doctorate in sociology and works as a senior researcher at the Institute for Advanced Studies. She has been researching social inequality for over ten years, particularly in the areas of gender, poverty and work. The sociologist has received numerous awards for her academic work, including the Theodor Körner Prize and the Käthe Leichter Prize for Gender Studies. Laura Wiesböck is characterized by the combination of science, knowledge dissemination and social commitment. In addition to her research activities, she communicates socially critical perspectives in the media (e.g. Associated Press, Die ZEIT), gives specialist lectures in public institutions (e.g. Austrian Parliament, Tanzquartier Wien) and campaigns for a life free of violence for women*.
Ekat Osipova, MA
is a PhD student in the Human Computer Interaction Group at TU Wien and works as a researcher at the Institute for Advanced Studies. As a transdisciplinary scholar, Ekat is always looking for new, accessible approaches to knowledge production to highlight marginalized realities and perspectives. Ekat's research interests include gender and sexuality, understandings of health and the body, and critical design. Ekat holds a Master's degree in Science and Technology Studies.
Ella O'Connor, BSc
is studying for a Bachelor's degree in Sociology and works as a student assistant at the Institute for Advanced Studies. She previously completed a Bachelor's degree in Psychology with a minor in Political Science. Ella enjoys working at the interface of science, politics and practice. She has dealt with the topics of democracy and equality in a variety of contexts, including in political education work and within a municipal authority. She has given workshops for young people on anti-discrimination and worked on a plan to improve queer living conditions in Nuremberg. Personally, Ella is interested in different forms and practices of collective coexistence.
Advisory Expert
Dr. Karin Schönpflug
holds a doctorate in economics and works as a senior researcher at the Institute for Advanced Studies in Vienna. A proven expert on LGBTIQ+ issues, her many years of research and teaching activities focus on transdisciplinary perspectives on queer issues. She has been awarded the Käthe Leichter Prize for Gender Studies and has been involved in a number of important research projects on the situation of LGBTIQ+ people in Vienna, including the study "Queer in Vienna" and the project "Urban sexual geographies, queer citizenship and the socio-economic status of LGBTIQs in Vienna". Karin Schönpflug supports the QUEERDEM research project in an advisory capacity.