Fabio Wolkenstein

Prof. Fabio Wolkenstein is an Associate Professor at the Department of Political Science, University of Vienna, and Head of Department. He holds a PhD in Political Theory from the London School of Economics (2016), an M.Sc. in Political Sociology (LSE, 2011), and a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Vienna (2009).

Research Interests: Wolkenstein specializes in democratic theory, political parties, representation, and Christian/Social Democracy. His work explores democratic backsliding, institutional reforms, and transnational party dynamics. He has conducted research at Aarhus University (2017–2021), Goethe University Frankfurt, and the University of Amsterdam (2020–2021).

Publications: His recent works include Political Representation as Communicative Practice (2025), Democratic Regressions: Subversions of Popular Rule (2023), and Die dunkle Seite der Christdemokratie (2019). He has authored over 80 peer-reviewed articles on democratic theory, party systems, and constitutionalism.

Grants & Projects: Lead researcher on the 2024 project 'Social justice or cancel culture? Gender-just language and academic freedom in Germany' (funded by external grants). Previously held a VENI Grant from NWO (2020–2021) for research on party reforms.

Labs/Teams: Engaged with transnational research networks on democratic theory and EU party systems. Collaborates with scholars at Goethe University, Freie Universität Berlin, and the London School of Economics.