Our institute is located in the rural area of Austria and we analyse human-nature systems in rural areas from an socioeconomic point of view. Our research focuses on the economic valuation of environmental services and regional economic cycles, decision-making behavior on farms, the evaluation of agricultural support measures, the acceptance and economic impact of innovative practices in rural areas and transformative changes in rural areas. Our range of methods is diverse: statistical data analysis and modelling at farm and regional level, regional economic assessments, qualitative and quantitative surveys as well as participation processes using approaches from design thinking, art of hosting and other creativity and moderation techniques.

Economics
Livestock Production
Sociology of the Environment

Nature-based solutions for biodiversity, human well-being and transformative change

human-nature systems, agricultural economic modelling on regional and farm level, spatial modelling, participatory processes, land use, resilient rural areas, alternative food systems

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