Michael Hauser

Michael Hauser is an Associate Professor at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna (BOKU), affiliated with the Department für Agrarwissenschaften and the Institute of Development Research. His research spans sustainable agriculture, agroecology, climate change adaptation, and rural livelihoods in fragile and developing contexts. He has held significant international roles at institutions such as ICRISAT and the World Agroforestry Center.

His research interests focus on understanding and facilitating transitions to sustainable food systems, particularly in regions affected by conflict, climate change, and poverty. He investigates how individuals and organizations manage complex risks in agricultural systems, the psychological and institutional factors influencing cooperative behavior during crises, and the conditions that enable resilience and system transformation. His work contributes to humanitarian aid, ecosystem restoration, and the integration of displaced communities.

His recent publications reveal a strong trend toward interdisciplinary, systems-based approaches to food security, resilience, and sustainability. Key themes include agroecology's role in disaster risk management, stakeholder participation in policy, livelihood transitions, and the integration of social and ecological factors in agricultural development. His work is applied across Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, with a focus on participatory methods and institutional innovation.

• WITH J-WAFS Water and Food Seed Grant
• Vienna Diversity Prize, nomination and shortlist in the category 'Science'
• BOKU Teaching Award 2012 (2nd prize)
• Sustainability Award in the field of research - BOKU award for the CDR Projects

Michael Hauser has supervised numerous master’s and doctoral students and led multiple research projects funded by national and international agencies. His projects often involve interdisciplinary collaboration and capacity-building in partner countries. He is actively engaged in knowledge transfer through lectures, media contributions, and public outreach, advocating for transformative research and development paradigms that bridge science and practice.

He leads or contributes to research initiatives focused on building resilience in agro-pastoral systems, scaling sustainable agriculture, and strengthening transdisciplinary research. His work emphasizes the importance of social innovation, institutional change, and participatory processes in achieving sustainable development goals.