Today, Vienna University of Economics and Business (WU) is the EU's largest educational institution for business administration, economics, business law and social sciences. More than 21,000 students and 2,800 staff from over 100 countries study, teach, work and conduct research at WU. WU's spirit of diversity and open-mindedness has a positive impact on research and teaching. Through a wide range of knowledge transfer activities, WU also has a strong impact on business, the economy and society.  Since 2020, WU has been a member of the European University ENGAGE.EU. 

As part of the Vienna University of Economics and Business, the Centre for Social Entrepreneurship and Social Innovation provides academic and applied research with a special focus on social innovation, capacity building programmes, vocational and educational training and consultancy to its members, stakeholders, students and the public. Research activities include quantitative and qualitative empirical studies as well as conceptual work. Through capacity building and training programmes, the Centre targets individual practitioners in the third sector, providing them with the practical skills and knowledge needed to develop their organisations.

KEY STAFF

Dr. Paul Rameder, MSc studied sports science and business administration and holds a doctorate in social sciences. He works as a senior researcher at the Centre for Social Entrepreneurship and Social Innovation (WU Vienna) and as a post-doctoral researcher at the Institute for Nonprofit Management and Governance. He has outstanding teaching and research experience in the field of experiential learning (outdoor learning, service learning, community service programs), campus-community partnerships, and in the field of management and leadership programs at undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate levels (e.g. Professional Master in Social Innovation Management, Academic Outdoor Trainer for Experiential Learning in Human Resource, Team and Organizational Development). He is a board member of the Association for Integrative Outdoor Activities (ioa.at).

Mag.a. Julia Rappich, MSc works as a lecturer at the Private University College of Teacher Education Burgenland, the Post Graduate Centre, the University of Vienna and at the Vienna University of Economics and Business. She has an excellent track record in teaching and training in the field of outdoor learning and group dynamics, VET and leadership training, and is a member of the team of trainers for the training of alpine outdoor guides within the Association of Alpine Clubs in Austria (vavoe.at). Her research interests include the impact of outdoor activities on stress and well-being. She is the chairperson of the Association for Integrative Outdoor Activities (ioa.at).