IHS and ÖAW sign cooperation agreement

The Institute for Advanced Studies (IHS) and the Austrian Academy of Sciences (ÖAW) are expanding their collaboration through a new cooperation agreement that establishes a closer strategic partnership. The agreement aims to bring together scientific expertise, launch joint research initiatives and strengthen exchange across institutions.

“This strategic partnership opens a new chapter in our collaboration. IHS and ÖAW are demonstrating their commitment to aligning their scientific and organizational strengths as closely as possible,” said Holger Bonin, Scientific Director of the IHS.

“Bringing together two key research institutions strengthens Austrian economic and social research and further enhances its international profile. This cooperation agreement therefore represents an important milestone,” added Franz Fischler, IHS President.

The partnership includes joint research activities, interdisciplinary collaboration and closer cooperation with the social science institutes of ÖAW, including the Institute of Demography, the Institute for Urban and Regional Research, the Institute of Technology Assessment and the Institute for Comparative Media and Communication Studies.

“In a fragmented research landscape, initiatives like this are essential. By avoiding duplication and building on each other's strengths, we can significantly enhance social science research as well as policy and societal advice,” said Heinz Faßmann, ÖAW President.

The complementary expertise of the IHS and the Austrian Academy of Sciences (ÖAW) provides an excellent foundation for productive collaboration. With its three disciplines—economics, sociology, and political science—the IHS complements and strengthens the Academy’s broad research portfolio. In the future, particular emphasis will be placed on comprehensive research into the reciprocal relationship between technology and society, as well as the interconnections between demographic, economic, and social processes.