Research Contributes to Sustainability
Research projects at Salzburg University of Applied Sciences should always aim to contribute to at least one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Sustainability-oriented research is consistently and permanently strengthened as part of the strategy.
Topics such as climate protection, the use of regional resources, circular economy and secure energy systems have become key areas of expertise over the three decades since FH Salzburg was founded. In the field of research, FH Salzburg can therefore build on many achievements within its sustainability strategy and further develop flagship initiatives – such as the two recently opened Research and Transfer Centres (RTCs) “Green Engineering” and “Cyber Security”.
Six Focus Areas
FH Salzburg has defined six priorities in its research and innovation strategy:
Applied Health Innovation (Health Sciences)
Future Service Industries (Business and Tourism)
Human-Centred Technologies & Design (Creative Technologies)
Industrial Informatics (Information Technologies and Digitalisation)
Social Innovation (Applied Social Sciences)
Sustainable Materials and Technologies (Design and Green Engineering)
In planning and implementing its RTI projects, FH Salzburg is committed to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). An overview of FH Salzburg’s research and development projects on sustainability (clustered by SDGs) can be found in the university’s research portal. This overview demonstrates that research for sustainable future solutions is present and actively promoted at FH Salzburg.
Creating Something New Together
Interdisciplinary research is strengthened as part of the sustainability strategy. The potential of collaboration is illustrated by the NETTLE project, where Health Sciences and the Department of Design and Green Engineering work together to develop innovative applications for the active ingredients of alpine plants.
Transferring Knowledge into Practice
Sustainability competencies are firmly embedded in research training, and the transfer of results into society, business and politics is further intensified through events such as the Long Night of Research, Girls’ Day, STEM Days and Coding Club. The goal is to implement two pilot projects per year that test sustainable solutions under real conditions in cooperation with business, society or public administration. A prime example of this strong networking is the project “Liveable Alpine Region”, which explored ways to involve local residents and their needs in future tourism development in the Salzkammergut, Chiemgau and Salzburg regions, thereby establishing a new relationship between tourism, local communities and politics.
