Johannes Pflegerl

Johannes Pflegerl is a Professor at the University of Applied Sciences St. Pölten, serving as Director of the Ilse Arlt Institute for Social Inclusion Research and Deputy Head of the Department of Social Affairs. He holds a doctorate in sociology from the University of Vienna and has dedicated his career to social work with older adults, interdisciplinary collaboration, and digital inclusion in aging populations. His roles span lecturing since 2007, leading the Master’s program in Social Work (2012–2022), and pioneering research in family caregiving, dementia care, and Ambient Assisted Living.

• Doctorate in Sociology (University of Vienna)
• Research Associate at Austrian Institute for Family Research (1995–2005)
• Lecturer and Researcher at Department of Social Affairs (2005–2007)

His research focuses on Social Work with Older Adults, Family Caregiving, and Digital Solutions for Aging Populations. He explores interdisciplinary approaches in palliative care, community nursing, and social prescribing, integrating technology like mixed reality and multiscreen platforms to combat loneliness. Projects include Smart Companion, UmBrello, and XR2Resilience, emphasizing resource-oriented interventions and inclusion of refugees.

The 15 most recent articles highlight trends in family group conferencing, data-driven caregiving tools, and digital communication for elderly. These works bridge social work methodologies with technological innovation, addressing challenges in dementia care, interprofessional healthcare, and community-based aging support.