The task of VieCER is the coordination and the realisation of research on elections (in particular general elections), taking into account the 'supply side' (parties and candidates), the 'demand side' (voters) and the relevant communication in traditional as well as new media. In a time of increased polarisation and structural change of politics, the Center can make an important contribution to a better understanding of the functioning of Austrian democracy and position it internationally.

VieCER views itself as:

  • an innovative competence center for electoral research across social scientific disciplines and for quantitative methodology in the Social Sciences;
  • an academic research network, which is reflected in research output with a strong international orientation;
  • a research initiative that establishes the combination of research and teaching in many forms (through specific thematic courses, through disciplinary and interdisciplinary methodology, and through provision of data for students thesis and dissertations);
  • a cooperation partner for national and international research partners;
  • a communicator for the visualisation of international competitive social science research;
  • a partner for communicating research achievements of the university and as a central center of competence for scientific inputs to societal debates (through contributions to debates, an own blog and regular workshops).

The following aims should be implemented within VieCER:

  • preparation of data from the research projects of the research center and forwarding for archiving to AUSSDA (Austrian Social Science Data Archive), with the aim to provide the data for to the general public for free (open access);
  • planning and conducting research on methodological questions in quantitative social research;
  • maintaining and developing the data collection tools developed within the Austrian National Election Study (AUTNES);
  • raising third-party funds for research;
  • establishment of an academic research network, which is reflected in research output with a strong international orientation;
  • combination of research and teaching (through specific thematic courses, through disciplinary and interdisciplinary methodology, and through the provision of data for student thesies and dissertations);
  • participation in national and international research cooperations (e.g. CSES);
  • communication of internationally competitive social science research;
  • invitation of guest researchers in cooperation with the Department of Government for Seminar Series talks. Further information can be found under 'News'.