Variability Modeling Professors and Supervisors in Austria

Barbara SoukupView profile

Associate Professor

University of ViennaAustria

Barbara Soukup is an Associate Professor at the University of Vienna , affiliated with the Faculty of Philology and Cultural Studies and the Institute of German Studies . Her academic career spans institutions including Georgetown University, where she earned a PhD and MSc in Linguistics, and the University of Vienna, where she completed her Mag.phil. in English and French. Education: PhD in Linguistics, Georgetown University (2008) MSc in Linguistics, Georgetown University (2005) Mag.phil. in English and French, University of Vienna (2000) Research Interests focus on sociolinguistics, multilingualism, and construction grammar, with particular emphasis on linguistic landscapes, language attitudes, and cognitive sociolinguistics. She pioneered the Variationist Linguistic Landscape Study (VaLLS) methodology and explores dialect use in Austrian media and public spaces. Recent Publications (2020-2025) analyze quantitative approaches to linguistic landscape research, dialect as metonymic devices, and language attitudes in multilingual urban environments. Articles highlight Vienna's linguistic diversity and methodological innovations in sociolinguistic fieldwork. Awards & Grants: Elise-Richter Grant (2014) Psychology of Language Award (2014) Conference Travel Grants (2002) University of Vienna Achievement Award (2001) Projects include ELLViA (2014-2021) and VisibLL (2022-2025), both examining linguistic landscapes in Vienna through citizen science and interdisciplinary collaboration. She has delivered over 100 lectures and participated in public exhibitions on urban multilingualism.

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Robert BöhmView profile

Professor

University of ViennaAustria

Univ.-Prof. Robert Böhm is a behavioral scientist at the University of Vienna , leading the Social and Economic Psychology Group within the Faculty of Psychology and serving as Director of the WHO Collaborating Centre for Social and Behavioural Research in Antimicrobial Resistance . His work bridges societal challenges with empirical insights into human judgment and decision-making. Current Roles : Professor, University of Vienna Co-Director, WHO Collaborating Centre Co-organizer, Behavioral Insights & AMR Workshops Dr. Böhm’s research focuses on behavioral responses to public health crises , policy design , and interdisciplinary applications of technology . Recent projects include analyzing Covid-19 vaccine hesitancy , pandemic fatigue , and generative AI impacts on education . His 2025 publications highlight trends in leveraging cultural contexts , NLP methods , and system-level policies to address global issues like AMR and vaccine uptake . Collaborations span institutions in Austria, Denmark, Germany, and beyond. Scientific Contributions: Member, WHO Technical Advisory Group on Behavioral Insights Co-developer of Pandemic Fatigue Scale Advocacy for NLP in Text Analysis Pioneering Research on AI in Educational Misuse Dr. Böhm mentors early-career researchers and promotes open science , as evidenced by his team’s recent publications and involvement in global behavioral science networks like the Psychology of Transformation project at Leuphana University.

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Alois SimonView profile

Lecturer

University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences ViennaAustria

Dipl.-Ing.Dr.nat.techn. Alois Simon M.Sc. is a Lecturer at the University of Innsbruck and Guest Researcher at the Institute of Forest Ecology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna (BOKU). His work focuses on forest site ecology in mountain forests, integrating bioclimatic modeling, soil science, and spatial analysis to inform forest management and conservation. PhD in Spatial Modeling for Forest Site Classification (BOKU, 2016-2021) MSc in Applied Geoinformatics (University of Salzburg, 2010-2013) Co-leader of forest site classification initiatives in Tyrol Research spans bioclimatic zonation , tree regeneration dynamics , and soil property modeling , with a focus on Alpine and Patagonian ecosystems. Recent publications analyze climate change impacts on forest succession and carbon sequestration. His 15 most recent articles address topics like forest soil pedogenesis in Patagonia, microclimatic variations, and uncertainty in bioclimatic datasets. Key keywords include Forest Ecology , Climate Change , and Spatial Modeling . Scientific awards include the Walter Kubiena Preis (2022). He has supervised master's theses on soil dynamics in Patagonian forests and Tangel humus in the Alps. Active in community services, Simon serves as reviewer for scientific journals and advisory board member for the Austrian Forest Site Ecology Society. He organizes workshops on climate-resilient forest management.

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Alexander BucheltView profile

Researcher

St. Pölten University of Applied SciencesAustria

Alexander Buchelt serves as a Researcher in the Department of Computer Science and Security at University of Applied Sciences St. Pölten, contributing to the Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (BA) program. His industry background includes data analytics roles at Hutchison Drei Austria (2014-2018) and MindTake Research GmbH (2019-2020), followed by academic experience as a Student Assistant at FH St. Pölten (2020-2022). His research spans artificial intelligence with emphasis on natural language processing for German content moderation, fractal-based neural network architectures, and AI policy frameworks. Current work demonstrates strong focus on real-world implementation including drone applications in forest ecology, multilingual social media analysis, and regulatory compliance for emerging AI systems. Technical approaches integrate machine learning with domain-specific challenges across environmental science, media analysis, and telecommunications. Publication trends since 2022 reveal increasing emphasis on ethical AI deployment and practical system robustness, with 2024-2025 works addressing content moderation safeguards, neural network innovation, and environmental monitoring solutions. His research consistently bridges theoretical AI development with tangible societal applications, particularly in European regulatory contexts and German-language environments. As part of the Department of Computer Science and Security, Buchelt contributes to Austria's applied research ecosystem focused on practical technology solutions. His work aligns with the university's mission in developing industry-relevant AI applications while addressing emerging challenges in security, ethics, and cross-domain implementation.

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Michael Christian LeitnerView profile

Lecturer

Salzburg University of Applied SciencesAustria

Michael Christian Leitner serves as Head of Research & Transfer Services and External Lecturer in Information Technologies and Digitalisation at Salzburg University of Applied Sciences. With dual PhDs in Psychology and Communication Science from the University of Salzburg, he bridges academic research with practical applications in neuropsychology and sports psychology. PhD in Psychology (University of Salzburg, 2021) Master in Psychology (University of Salzburg, 2016) Bachelor in Psychology (University of Salzburg, 2014) PhD in Communication Science (University of Salzburg, 2012) Master in Communication Science (University of Salzburg, 2009) Bachelor in Communication Science (University of Salzburg, 2007) Master in Telecommunication & Media (St. Pölten University of Applied Sciences, 2005) Leitner's research spans three primary domains: neuropsychological rehabilitation for visual field defects after stroke, sport psychological effects of crowd absence during the COVID-19 pandemic (ghost games), and social engineering/cybersecurity. His innovative work combines eye-tracking technology, virtual reality interventions, and psychological assessment to address complex rehabilitation challenges and understand human behavior in high-pressure sports environments. The Salzburg Visual Field Trainer (SVFT), his VR-based rehabilitation system, represents a significant advancement over traditional stationary and unreliable visual restitution therapies. His publication record reveals a clear thematic progression from neuropsychological rehabilitation methods toward analyzing the psychological impacts of pandemic conditions on sports. The COVID-19 pandemic created a unique natural experiment for studying home advantage phenomena, resulting in multiple publications examining referee decisions, player behavior, and emotional responses in empty stadiums. His most recent work integrates eye-tracking with social science methodology to assess memory-related response variability. Science award (2022) Young Investigators Award (2022) Leitner has secured funding for significant research projects including 'The Psychological Impact of Ghost Games in Football during the COVID-19 Pandemic' (2020-2030) and 'Advanced Perimetry for the Evaluation of Neuroplasticity in the Visual Cortex' (2018-2023). His collaborative network spans multiple institutions with strong connections to the University of Salzburg's Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience. He actively engages with the public through media appearances discussing topics from emotional behavior in sports to the psychological aspects of neurovisual rehabilitation. As Head of Research & Transfer Services, Leitner leads the strategic reorientation of research at Salzburg University of Applied Sciences through a comprehensive organizational development process. His work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals through applications in health, wellbeing, and quality education.

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