Institute of
Health Sciences

There are four cross-cutting topics that not only flow into the three focus areas, but are also links to the UAS-wide research topics. These are:

  • Life Long Learning
  • Sustainability
  • Gender & Diversity
  • Digital Health

Lifelong Learning is the foundation of our research, and for us, it means developing and evaluating high-quality, technology-based solutions for the education and training of future-relevant competencies in health professions. Students and professionals acquire the knowledge and skills in innovative teaching and learning scenarios to best support individuals and the population in their health literacy. Tailored educational offerings for various target groups in the healthcare sector are created through regional and international teaching and development projects.

Sustainability is the basis of our research. We inseparably connect health and sustainability. We work on Sustainable Food Systems and Food Systems Transformation, observe and analyse Austrian policies on sustainable nutrition, and research how the recommendations of the Planetary Health Diet can be implemented. In the field of nursing, we develop solutions with eXtended Reality and Artificial Intelligence that contribute to ecological, social, and economic sustainability. In physiotherapy research, we address topics such as climate competence in health professions, sustainable practice, sustainable mobility, and digital communication and documentation.

Diversity is at the heart of our research on gender and diversity. We investigate and integrate the role of gender and diversity in the food system, nutritional counselling, physiotherapy, and nursing. In doing so, we aim to understand how various factors influence the health behaviour of people of different genders and what needs different target groups have. We also support people of different genders, backgrounds, and needs by involving and empowering them in the research process.

Digital Health is an integral part of our research and is applied across all research topics, ranging from simple digitization to complex applications such as Artificial Intelligence, machine learning, and eXtended Reality. These technologies support diagnostics, therapeutic interventions, education, and the networking of patients and professionals. Through collaboration with our national and international networks, we are optimally positioned to combine health and technology expertise and deliver high-quality scientific results.