Gertraud Seiser

Gertraud Seiser is a Scientific Associate at the Institute for Cultural and Social Anthropology, University of Vienna, since May 2000. She previously worked at the Ministry of Science (1988–2000), focusing on promoting women in science. Her research emphasizes economic anthropology, particularly social security, informal work, gender dynamics in rural areas, and the cultural significance of Krampus rituals. She contributes to academic discourse through numerous publications and edited volumes, including Economic Anthropology: Introduction and Case Studies (2017) and Wild and Beautiful: The Krampus in Salzburg (2016). She leads projects such as KASS (2004–2007), a research-funded initiative, and engages in collaborative fieldwork with museums and communities. Consultations are arranged via email, typically conducted digitally.

Research Interests:

• Economic structures in rural regions, particularly the Mühlviertel
• Gender roles in farming communities
• Krampus rituals as socio-economic phenomena
• Seasonal labor and tourism impacts

Grants & Projects:

• KASS (Research Funding Project, 2004–2007)
• Community-based participatory research with Salzburg museums