23 April 204

As part of the Holzwelt Murau energy camp Hydrogen – Power for Change?, April 25^th and 26^th 2024, our colleague Michael Kriechbaum will give a lecture on April 25^th at 2 p.m. on the topic: Key to the energy transition? Hydrogen futures in the context of national climate protection goals.

All lectures and discussions will be broadcast live.

You can find the entire program here

28 March 2024

Applications for the IAS-STS Fellowship Programme are still welcome until May 15, 2024.

For more information, please see.

22 January 2024

It was an honor and great pleasure to introduce our STS Unit to the VR for Infrastructure and Sustainability, Univ.-Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr.techn. Michael Monsberger, on January 16^th.

We look forward to a good collaboration!

January 8, 2024

Wer are happy to welcome our new team memebers Anna Semenko, Julia Wenger and Lilia Yang.

18 December 2023

Under the motto "IT'S ENOUGH" Reduction as collective action", a lecture series will again take place in the winter semester 2023/24 under the auspices of the Styrian universities.

Günter Getzinger will give a lecture on 10th of January 2024, 6 pm at Alte Technik, Rechbauerstraße 12, 1.OG on the topic of "Walking" and the pedestrian strategy of the province of Styria.

Students and all interested persons are cordially invited to attend free of charge.

This event can also be joined via livestream:
https://tugraz.webex.com/tugraz/j.php?MTID=m2fc13d945d4bd4ceea4bf21009299ca9
 

Webinar number:
2732 116 4429
Webinar password:
X2qiqMuPc34 (92747687 from phones and video systems)

Join by phone
+43-720-815221 Austria Toll
+44-20-3478-5289 United Kingdom Toll
Access code: 273 211 64429

15 December 2023

The Proceedings of the STS Conference Graz 2023 are now online.

24 November 2023

In an interview with Andritz AG, Günter Getzinger talks about CO2 emissions and the path towards climate neutrality. Questions that were discussed in more detail in this interview: How does the path to climate neutrality begin for a company? What should you pay attention to when purchasing? What measures can be taken to reduce emissions and ultimately become climate neutral?

More information

27 November 2023

The call for abstracts is now open.

Up to January 22^nd 2024 abstracts can be submitted online. Please select one of the following sessions and themes, which deal with "Critical Issues in Science, Technology and Society Studies".

We are looking forward to your submissions!

13 November 2023

The controversial discussion about the commercial use of genetic engineering in agriculture that has been going on since the end of the 1980s has not yet calmed down. In many European countries, campaigns critical of GMOs led, among other things, to GMO-free regions and GMO-free labels. The political attitude that solidified in this structure was reserved to strongly negative in most countries, especially in Austria. With the CRISPR method, the so-called “new genetic engineering”, this deadlocked debate is now getting moving again - and of all things, the recent crisis experiences caused by the COVID pandemic and extreme weather conditions and their effects on the food supply are creating a new dynamic.


More information: Guest commentary by Dr. Armin Spök (APA report - Science, November 13, 2023).

9 October 2023

From 18. to 19. September the STS-Unit hosted an „International STS Workshop: Sociotechnical Change in Perspective”. On this occasion the TU Graz team discussed current topics with researchers from PaSTIS of Padova University. Digitalisation was one of the prominent topics addressed during the workshop. Another debated issue was transition processes of energy systems. Finally, contributions to Covid-19 and mobility technologies completed the programme. The event is part of a longer cooperation with PaSTIS, which will be continued in form of research collaborations and academic exchange in teaching and research.

September 25, 2023 

Graz University of Technology and the University of Graz have jointly launched the inter-university research platform “Future – Technology – Society” (Z-T-G).
The platform seeks innovative and sustainable solutions to pressing future problems and combines the complementary strengths of the two universities.

In initially three research projects financed by the state of Styria, researchers are working with citizens and stakeholders from the region to develop future visions in the areas of mobility, hydrogen and carbon management. As part of the opening event on September 8t^h, State Councilor Barbara Eibinger-Miedl, Rector Harald Kainz (TU Graz) and Prof. Alfred Posch (University of Graz) explained the importance of the new research platform for Styria as a (knowledge) location. The researchers involved then presented their projects in detail.

September 20, 2023

We invite you to submit a session proposal for the upcoming STS Conference in Graz, held from May 6 - 8, 2024.   

As a guideline to address contemporary challenges of the interplay between science, technology and society, we suggest a number of thematic fields. 

Submit Session Proposal

September 14, 2023

Together with PaSTIS of Padova University, the STS-Unit hosts an "Internationational STS Workshop: Sociotechnical Change in Perspective".  

Program

September 4, 2023

In an international project, an AI-optimized prototype of an environmentally friendly electricity storage system is being developed on the basis of vanillin, which has been made usable for storing electricity.
 

Under the leadership of Ulrich Hirn and Stefan Spirk from the Institute for Biobased Products and Paper Technology at Graz University of Technology, work is now being done to design a vanillin power storage device that is as sustainable as possible in its entire composition and yet efficient.

A team led by Günter Getzinger, head of the Science, Technology and Society Unit at TU Graz, and the Spanish company Biobide are responsible for the techno-economic and ecological review.

more...

28 June 2023

20 June 2023

In the current issue of Business Month (June/July/August 2023), Christian Dayé talks about the methods and ideas we can use to approach the future. Visions of the future, for example regarding to urban development or mobility, are often not radical at all, but rather a continuation of already existing technological ideals.

25 May 2023

We congratulate the graduates of the university course "Decarbonization and Sustainability Management".
The course, organized by Life Long Learning (LLL) and held for the first time at Graz University of Technology under the scientific direction of Ass.-Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr. phil. Günter Getzinger, enables graduates to lead their companies on the path to climate neutrality.
This year, the graduates come from 8 Styrian companies, some of which already work as sustainability managers or environmental managers.

The next course starts on September 11, 2023.
Further information: https://www.tugraz.at/.../dekarbonisierung...

15 May 2023

Thank´s to all participants of the STS Conference Graz 2023. It was once again a big pleasure hosting you together with IFZ Graz.

Lot´s of discussions, workshops and 2 great keynotes, which inspired us.

We are very much looking forward to the STS Conference Graz 2024, May 6-8. 

11 April 2023

The Green Transformation Cards support companies quickly and effectively on their way to climate neutrality. and contain 10 categories with around 100 suggested measures for the green transformation of a company.

As authors, Angelika Tisch and Günter Getzinger played a key role in the design of the Green Transformation Cards in the R&D & ecodesign and strategy & reporting categories.

The categories are based on key business processes such as: Strategy & Reporting, Cultural Change, R&D & Ecodesign, Purchasing & Supply Chain, Production, Buildings & Infrastructure, Mobility, Marketing & Sales, Financing and Business Models. The measures are described in a way that is easy to understand and are suitable for manufacturing companies as well as for service companies in all sectors.

15 March 2023

A nice report in ORF Steiermark, in  which Günter Getzinger as project manager, gives insights into  the plans of TU Graz to become climate neutral by 2030.

_{© TU Graz/www.robertillemann.com}

March 10, 2023 

Scientists from all seven faculties of TU Graz provide insights into their current research in this public lecture series.
They show how they address diversity & gain added value for their research. The lectures are aimed at an interested public.
Students of all fields of study at Graz University of Technology can attend the lectures as part of the seminar of the same name: Seminar No. 706.079 (2 ECTS, free elective).

Closing lecture, lead of the seminar & the lecture series: Ao.Univ.-Prof.in Dr.in phil. Christine Wächter, STS - Science, Technology and Society Unit at the Institute for Interactive Systems and Data Science.

Time & place: Every Wednesday, 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., seminar room BMT038, Stremayrgasse 16, ground floor.

After the respective lecture and the moderated discussion, there is an opportunity for informal exchange over drinks and snacks.

Registration for the lectures: ringvorlesung.diversitaetnoSpam@tugraz.at

More information: QR code

https://www.tugraz.at/tu-graz/universitaet/leitziele-und-schwerpunkte/diversitaet/diversitaet#c52977

10  February 2023

The Early Bird Registration  is now open until March 30.

Please register here for the STS Conference Graz, held from May 8-10, 2023.

26 Januray 2023

On January 25, 2023, Christian Dayé gave a lecture on the topic "What kind of knowledge is future knowledge? Contours of university futures research" in the auditorium of Graz University of Technology.

Christian Dayé dealt with the following questions, among others: What form of the future are we interested in? Why is the university the right place for future research? Finally, the lecture also outlined how futurology can be taught.

The lecture was part of the series of lectures "FUTURE - The contribution of universities to solving social crises. A series of lectures by the nine Styrian universities" (WS 2022/23).

More information on the lecture series: http://sustainability4u.uni-graz.at/cms/index.php?id=139

27 December 2022

Christian Dayé explores what role the future plays for societies. For several years, he has been focusing on how technological advances impact on society. His book on this topic has now won an award. You can find out more about his work and his latest publication, which was honored by the Section History of Sociology&Social Thought of the American Sociological Association in TU Graz research 2022-2/#28, page 14-15.

5 December 2022

The book "Transformations. Socio-philosophical perspectives of change" by Bernhard Wieser, Kirstin Mertlitsch and Arno Bammé deals with current transformation processes: Global events such as climate change, the Covid-19 pandemic, economic and social change and changes in traditional gender relations raise questions as to how these change processes can be understood and constructively shaped. The complexity of this problem required an interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary approach, as implemented in the proposed volume.
The authors use concrete examples to discuss central challenges of current transformation processes and, taken together, provide a basis for reflection with which the observed change can be countered.

28. October 2022

From now on you will find us at our new address: Data House, Sandgasse 36/III, 8010 Graz.

27 Septemer 2022

As part of the 2022 ring lecture of the nine Styrian universities (five universities, two teacher training colleges and two technical colleges), whose cooperation is based on the idea of ​​a common university awareness, we invite you to a ring lecture in WS 2022/23 under the leadership of Sustainability4U, the sustainability platform of the four Grazers universities. Under the title "FUTURE - The contribution of universities to solving social crises", the speakers will consider from the perspective of various disciplines how they can contribute to a sustainable future. Afterwards there will be a discussion with the audience.

CANCELLED
On the 14 December 2022 our colleague Christian Dayé will give a lecture:
What kind of knowledge is future knowledge? Outlines of a university research into the future
Location: HS II (Rechbauerstraße 12, 1st basement), 6:00 p.m

New Appointment: January 25, 2023, Aula, Alte Technik, Rechbauerstraße 12, 6 p.m.

20 September 2022

We invite you to submit a session proposal for the upcoming STS Conference in Graz, held from May 8–10, 2023.   
We suggest a number of thematic fields as a guideline to address contemporary challenges of the interplay between science, technology and society.  Submit Session

22 July 2022

In the GAIA magazin (02/2022) Günter Getzinger and colleagues provided information about the efforts of the alliance universities to become climate neutral. More and more members of the Alliance for Sustainable Universities in Austria Roadmaps designed to ensure climate neutrality in the years between 2030 and by 2040 (at the latest). Intending to be a role model and pioneer, they are entering into a very ambitious, steep decarbonization process.

read more

7 July 2022

The Energy Globe STYRIA AWARD honors outstanding Styrian lighthouse projects.  52 projects took part in the competition this year and impressed the expert jury with the variety of ideas and regional know-how.
In the categorie "Adaption" the award goes to TU Graz Project: Climata Neutral TU Graz 2030.
As first University in Austria, TU Graz decided to become climate-neutral by 2030 and has adopted an ambitious roadmap to do so.
he measures range from saving energy, increasing efficiency and in-house production of green energy to buildings, procurement and mobility. The basis for the documentation of progress is a comprehensive and precise greenhouse gas balance, which includes the entire university infrastructure and is updated annually.

We very much congratulate Günter Getzinger (Project Lead) and Franziska Häller, who are in charge in this ambitious project.

23 June 2022

After two years the STS Unit finally made an STS retreat. We enjoyed this time together with our enthusiastic young researchers in an awesam landscape. 

10 May 2022

Thanks to all participants and speakers, who made this year´s conference a special event. We look forward to seeing you again at the STS Conference Gaz 2023 in early May.

May 6, 2022

This information platform offeres interested citizens graphically prepared information on key environmental issues. This platform was developed as part of a master´s thesis at TU Graz (D. Wolf), which was supervised by Günter Getzinger, Head of the STS Unit, together with the Graz Environment Agency.

Key figures from the areas of climate, energy, air, noise, waste, mobility and nature provide an overview of the environmental situation in Graz and are updated and expanded depending on the data available.

more information

April 29, 2022

Thrilled about this year´s program and keynote speakers of the STS Conference Graz 2022: Andreas Bogner, Sabina Leonelli and Naomi Oreskes

24 March 2022

The war in Ukraine exposed the weaknesses in Austria's energy supply. Against the background of the crisis, experts as Günter Getzinger are calling for an immediate rethink to achieve the climate goals. 
More information at orf.at (online: March 23)

28 February 2022

27 January 2022

On February the 3rd, Michael Kriechbaum is co-organising a session on the next phase of the energy transition. The session is part of the Final Workshop CLIMATTERS of the DK Climate Change (DKCC) and deals with the challenges of integrating renewable electricity and the prospects of hydrogen. Keynotes by research engineer Marta Victoria and transition researcher Nuno Bento as well as short presentations by the organizers will set the stage for an open discussion. Interested person are  very much welcome!

Join the session: February 3rd, 15:00-17:00 
https://bit.ly/3IvMYE8

17 January 2022

Congratulations to Anna Napetschnig for the Mind_the Gap Diversity Award 2021 for her Master thesis “Frauen@TUG – Do IT! Successful approaches to improve the qualitative and quantitative situation of female students of computer science at Graz University of Technology”.

Anna Napetschnig currently works on her Master Thesis in Advanced Material Sciences at TU Graz.

Christine Wächter from the STS Unit was supervisor of her Master thesis in Interdisciplinary Gender Studies.

In her Master thesis “Frauen@TUG – Do IT” Anna Napetschnig has developed a catalog of measures for the qualitative and quantitative improvement of the situation of female computer science students at the TU Graz. The first part of the thesis is an inventory of projects for the promotion of young female computer science students at Graz University of Technology and at comparable universities. The second part consists of qualitative and quantitative surveys of female TU Graz students on these measures. This results in a catalog of measures with individual recommendations for the TU Graz, which have the potential to increase the proportion of female computer science students and to reduce the drop out.

You can watch her presentation here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9zaHfpPAbU

December 13, 2021

In addition to the lecture series "CLIMATE CRISIS AND CONSCIOUSNESS CHANGE",
a poster exhibition of the same name was developed. Design and Content Development by David Steinwender.Employees and students of the Technical University of Graz are invited to join the exibition.

17.12.2021 - 28.1.2022: Alte Technik, Rechbauerstraße 12, Tiefparterre, Foyer Hörsaal

28.01.2022 - 11.3.2022: Physikgebäude, Petersgasse 16, Erdgeschoß, Foyer Hörsaal P2

11.03.2022 - 22.4.2022: Foyer Inffeldgasse 25 D, Erdgeschoß.

22 November 2021

On November 8, 2021 the last workshop of the project "ClimCalc 2.0" was held with 40 participants from 24 different universities and universities of applied sciences (5 of them from Germany). Also 3 private institutions were interested in the process of greenhouse gas balancing and how the tool "ClimCalc" works.

After a short introduction for newcomers, the greenhouse gas balances of the Danube University Krems and University of Music and Performing Arts, Vienna were presented and discussed. The progress reports of the participants indicate that some more greenhouse gas balances will be published in the upcoming months.

The workshop gave us the opportunity to explain the so-called "road-mapping": using the example of the Graz University of Technology and the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences in Vienna. It was presented how and through which measures a university can become climate neutral by 2030.
At the end, there was another opportunity to share experiences and ask questions in small groups. Thanks to all participants for the lively exchange.

18 November 2021

As part of the lecture series "Climate Crisis and Change in Awareness" we cordially invite you to the lecture by Michael Kriechbaum (TU Graz/ University of Graz) "Climate Awareness and Hypes: Renewable Energies in Public Discourse".

Based on empirical research, Mr. Kriechbaum will explain the role of expectations in the development and proliferation of new technologies, as well as that of technological hype cycles and the associated dynamics of collective expectations.

15 December 2021, 6 p.m

lecture recording