Isabella Skrivanek

Dr. Isabella Skrivanek is a Researcher at the University for Continuing Education Krems, affiliated with the Department for Migration and Globalisation within the Faculty of Business and Globalisation. Her work focuses on migration integration policies, refugee integration, labor market dynamics, and social policy. She has led projects such as the EU-funded Migrant Acceleration for Growth Network for Entrepreneurship Training (2017–2020) and evaluated the Austrian-American apprenticeship exchange programs. Her research bridges academic analysis with practical policy recommendations, addressing challenges in small towns and rural areas. Key projects include exploring post-2014 migrant integration in Austria and analyzing regional employment integration strategies for refugees. She collaborates on EU initiatives like the Whole-COMM and SPRING projects, emphasizing multilevel governance and sustainable integration practices. Publications span policy reports, academic journals, and handbooks guiding practitioners in migrant integration. Her work highlights the interplay between local policies, social structures, and migrant experiences across diverse contexts.

Education and Professional Background: While specific educational details are not explicitly listed, her PhD and dual Magister titles (Mag. Mag.) indicate advanced academic qualifications in social sciences or related fields.

Research Interests: Skrivanek’s research emphasizes integration outcomes for migrants and refugees, focusing on labor market access, credential recognition, and community-level policies. She investigates rural-urban migration dynamics, policy implementation effectiveness, and the socio-economic factors influencing migrant integration. Her work addresses both structural barriers and individual trajectories, advocating for evidence-based practices.

Grants and Projects: She has led and contributed to projects funded by the EU, COSME program, and Austrian governmental bodies. Notable projects include:

• "Exploring the Integration of Post-2014 Migrants in Small and Medium-sized Towns and Rural Areas from a Whole of Community Perspective" (EU-funded, 2021–2024)
• "Sustainable Practices of Integration (SPRING)" (EU, 2021–2023)
• "Migrant Acceleration for Growth Network for Entrepreneurship Training" (EU/COSME, 2017–2020)

Labs/Teams: Active within the Department for Migration and Globalisation, she collaborates with interdisciplinary teams on migration-related research, contributing to the university’s Transnational Societies and Migration research focus. Her work intersects with think tanks and policy institutions to inform practical integration strategies.