Manfred Zentner

Manfred Zentner is a Researcher at the Department for Migration and Globalisation at the University for Continuing Education Krems. He also serves as a lecturer in teacher training at the University College of Teacher Education Lower Austria. His roles include membership in the Pool of European Youth Researchers (PEYR), and the youth research branches of the International Sociological Association (ISA) and European Sociological Association (ESA). He has contributed to EU expert groups on youth and youth work, including co-authoring Council of Europe reviews on youth policy in Hungary (2008) and Belgium (2011).

Education & Professional Background: From 1997–2000, he worked at the Austrian Institute for Youth Research, becoming Managing Director in 2000. From 2000–2013, he was at the Institute for Youth Culture Research in Vienna.

Research Focus: His work centers on youth policy, migration, participation, radicalization, youth cultures, and integration. Recent projects include 'Process facilitation: Open – What?' (2024–2026), 'Digital Solutions for Equal Opportunity' (2023–2025), and 'Local and Regional Public Policy Monitor for Youth' (2023–2025).

Grants & Projects: Principal investigator in multiple EU-funded and national projects, including 'Young people in urban space' (2021–2023) and 'SERENY' (2021–2023). His research spans migration policy, youth radicalization prevention, and urban youth spaces.

Labs & Teams: Part of the Migration and Globalisation department, collaborating with institutions like the European Commission and national ministries. Active in international networks addressing youth work and migration challenges.