Department of Communication

Welcome to our department!

Our Department is one of the largest and most research-active institutions in its field. Our four main research areas are Democracy & Society, Crisis & Uncertainty, Digital Technology & AI, and Health & Well-Being.

Barbara Mair

Vision - Mission Research Studies Staff Open Positions

Fantastic Bystanders: Emotional sensitization and action in the face of online LGBTQIA+ hostility

15.10.2026 Research

This picture shows an AI-generated illustration of the role of bystanders on social media.

A recent study by communication researchers Melanie Saumer, Kevin Koban, and Jörg Matthes examines the factors that shape digital bystanders' emotional responses and intervention behaviors when…

Inaugural Lecture: Desirée Schmuck

13.10.2026 Events

On November 12 from 17:00 (5pm), Desirée Schmuck will hold her inaugural lecture at the University of Vienna.

Fabienne Lind appointed Full Professor at Paris Lodron University Salzburg

02.10.2026 Staff

Our colleague Fabienne has recently taken up a new position as Full Professor in Salzburg.

Research Talks: Winter Semester 2026/2027

29.09.2026 Research

Once again, renowned international scholars as well as colleagues of our department will present their research agenda.

Start of research project "From Novelty to Norm: Internalizing Footnote Journalism"

22.09.2026 Projects

From October 1, the Austrian Science Fund (FWF) is funding a new project led by Bernadette Uth.

Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship for Hannah Greber

18.09.2026 Staff

Since September 1, Hannah Greber is a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Oxford (UK).

Media Coverage

Wie widerstandsfähig ist die Werbung?
Interview with Jörg Matthes

Horizont
25.09.2026
Social media regulation: Press statement Science Media Centre Germany
Interview with Kathrin Karsay, also featured in/by dpa, Welt, SZ, Zeit, Tagesspiegel

Science Media Centre Germany
18.09.2026
EU-Kommission konkretisiert Pläne zu Social-Media-Verbot
Interview with Kathrin Karsay

ORF III Aktuell
17.09.2026
Instagram und Facebook. Diese neuen Features sollen Minderjährige schützen
Interview with Kathrin Karsay

Süddeutsche Zeitung (SZ)
27.08.2026

115
Staff Members

More than 110 staff members work at the Department in research, teaching, and administration. Every day, they contribute to ensuring academic excellence, high-quality education, and reliable administration. Job openings can be found here or in the University’s Job Center.
22
Third-Party Funded Research Projects

The department successfully attracts competitive research funding. Supported by EU programs, national funds, and international institutions, 23 third-party funded projects are currently underway, with a total volume of around 9.4 million euros.
3,800
Students

Around 3,800 students are currently enrolled at our Department. They study Communication Science in the Bachelor’s programme, in two Master’s programmes – offered in German and English – as well as in the research-oriented Doctoral Programme in Social Sciences.
90
Lecturers

Around 90 lecturers enrich teaching at the Department every semester. They contribute their diverse expertise from academia, media, and professional practice, forming together with the core staff the foundation of a high-quality education.

Our Locations

Währinger Straße 29
1090 Vienna

Opening hours:
Monday to Friday: 6:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Saturday: 7:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Journalism, Communications and Informatics Library

Studies Service Unit

Gebhard Sengmüller
Kolingasse 14–16
1090 Vienna

Opening hours:
Monday to Friday: 6:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Saturday: 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Rober Polster Versand

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