Juliane Stark

Juliane Stark is an Associate Professor at the Institute of Transport Studies, Department of Landscape, Water and Infrastructure at the University for Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna (BOKU). She has been with BOKU since 2004, progressing from research assistant to her current position as Associate Professor since 2020. Her academic journey includes completing her PhD in 2010 on regional economic impacts of public transport investments and earning her habilitation in transport planning in 2019.

Dr. Stark's research focuses on child and youth mobility, particularly examining how children move through urban environments via walking, cycling, and other active transportation modes. Her work investigates the relationship between active mobility, physical activity, and wellbeing, with special attention to children's perspectives on urban spaces. She leads the TRA:WELL research project which explores transport and wellbeing through participatory methods involving young people as both researchers and research subjects.

Her recent publications demonstrate a clear trend toward interdisciplinary research connecting transportation, public health, and urban planning. The work increasingly emphasizes participatory approaches, with children and youth actively involved in the research process. Her studies often employ mixed methods including surveys, physiological measurements, virtual reality, and qualitative approaches to understand mobility behavior and its impacts on wellbeing.

• Top 5 Projekt in the category 'Generationengerechte, sozial inklusive, barrierefreie Mobilität' of VCÖ-Preises 2022
• BOKU Nachhaltigkeitspreis in the category 'Bildung für Nachhaltige Entwicklung'
• Best Paper, 11th International Conference on Transport Survey Methods, 2017
• Österreichischer Staatspreis Mobilität des Bundesministeriums für Verkehr, Innovation und Technologie
• FSV-Preis für Dissertationen der Forschungsgemeinschaft Straße und Verkehr

Dr. Stark has been instrumental in developing educational programs that bridge academic research and practical applications, particularly through her leadership of the TRA:WELL project which engages students directly in research. Her work has received significant funding through Sparkling Science projects and other research initiatives focused on sustainable mobility. She collaborates extensively with public health professionals, urban planners, and educational institutions to advance research on child-friendly mobility.

Her research group utilizes innovative methods including virtual reality mobility simulations, physiological response measurements, and participatory approaches where young people serve as co-researchers. This work is conducted in close collaboration with schools across Vienna and Lower Austria, creating a strong connection between academic research and community impact.