News

Research and fun: digital archaeology puzzle at Buch Wien

Archaeologist Stephan Karl used the natural intelligence of online gamers to reassemble over a hundred fragments of a 1500-year-old altar slab. The game with the virtual pieces can also be tried out at Buch Wien until November 24.

Political scientist Filzmaier provided insights into the voting behaviour of Styrians

At the University of Graz, Austria's probably most well-known political scientist, Peter Filzmaier, provided a gripping analysis of the 2024 Styrian state elections. In front of a full house at the Unicorn, the professor at the University of Graz explained why social media, times of crisis and voter behaviour have a decisive influence on the outcome of an election – and why boring election campaigns are sometimes the best.

Who puts an end to war?

"Absolutely necessary": legal expert Gerhard Schnedl on the EU Nature Restoration Law

Some celebrate it as a milestone for nature conservation, others demonise it as an existential threat to agriculture: the EU Nature Restoration Law, which came into force in August 2024, is considered the centrepiece of the European Green Deal. Its aim is to restore damaged ecosystems in the member states. Gerhard Schnedl, a legal expert at the "ClimLaw:Graz" research centre for climate protection law, considers the new law to be absolutely necessary. What its implementation means for agriculture and forestry in particular will be the focus of the 7th Graz Environmental Law Forum on November 20 at the University of Graz.

Reliable forecasting of extreme weather: new study supports improvement of climate models

Torrential rainfall such as that recently experienced in Spain is just one form of extreme weather event that is becoming more frequent as a result of climate change. With catastrophic consequences. Storms, droughts and heatwaves are also increasing in intensity. One of the decisive factors for the damage they cause is their duration. However, it is not yet possible to reliably predict this using current climate models. A research team led by Albert Ossó from the Wegener Center at the University of Graz has now succeeded in identifying some of the causes of this modelling problem. The new findings, which have been published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters, might help to improve the accuracy of climate models and thus forecasts of extreme weather events in Europe.

How much emotion does morality need? Ralf Lutz explores the psychological side of ethics

What is good and what is bad? Due to our upbringing and our own insight, we usually know which values we should be guided by. But why do we still repeatedly fail to act accordingly? What role do our feelings play in this? Ralf Lutz deals with these questions in his research. The professor of moral theology and doctor of psychology wants to bring the two disciplines closer together. "Ethics helps us to find out what is right and wrong. But in order to understand how we can live according to these principles, we need moral psychology," Lutz is convinced.

Research without borders in the European University Alliance Arqus

International cooperation strengthens cutting-edge research, the results of which benefit us all. As part of the European University Alliance Arqus, researchers from the University of Graz are collaborating with colleagues from eight other universities on current topics and societal challenges. Two new projects have just started. The group led by Sandro Keller, Professor of Biophysics, is studying the mechanisms of cell communication as a prerequisite for the development of new, more effective drugs. Christine Schwanecke, Professor of English Literature and Cultural Studies and Director of the Centre for Cultural Studies, and her colleague Lisa Schantl are investigating the special features of contemporary English-language poetry by authors who grew up speaking another language – as an example of how language can overcome the divisions between different cultures.

"Democracy is like a construction site!"

In a super election year, political education in schools must be promoted more, demands democracy researcher Britta Breser. Learning from history also means helping to shape the present. In the run-up to the November elections, the University of Graz is also offering a comprehensive programme of events on the subject of democracy and elections.