Ruth Wodak

Ruth Wodak is Emeritus Distinguished Professor and co-founder of Critical Discourse Studies, specializing in identity politics, far-right populism, and historical memory. Her Discourse-Historical Approach integrates linguistics, ethnography, and political science.

Research focuses on:

• Discursive construction of national/European identities
• Normalization of far-right rhetoric in media and politics
• Antisemitism and exclusionary discourses
• Crisis communication during COVID-19

Award-winning books include 'The Politics of Fear' (2021) analyzing far-right discourse normalization and 'Identity Politics Past and Present' (2022) examining Austrian identity construction. She received the Bruno Kreisky Prize for life achievements (2021) and two honorary doctorates.

She established the Discourse, Politics, Identity Research Centre and has led EU-funded projects on migration discourses. Currently analyzes 'politics of emotion' and crisis communication at Central European University.