Research Initiatives

Projects

Funded research projects and leadership initiatives across media governance, culture, and democratic communication.

Official Project Portfolio

Current and Recent Funded Projects

Ongoing · 2024-2026

European Videogame Ecosystem Research

GameHearts.eu

GAMEHEARTS investigates the economic, social, and cultural value of the European videogame ecosystem and its links to heritage, arts, and sport. The project maps how games contribute to innovation, inclusion, and wellbeing, while also identifying governance pathways for sustainable growth across creative and cultural industries. Through interdisciplinary research and stakeholder collaboration, it develops evidence-based recommendations for policy and practice, with particular attention to children and youth, socially responsible design, and cross-sector co-creation.

Role

Project Coordinator: Katharine Sarikakis.

Funding

European Union, Horizon Europe.

Duration

2024-2026

Key Focus Areas

European videogame ecosystem mapping
Policy recommendations for growth and inclusion
Cross-sector links with heritage, arts, and sport
Research on youth, wellbeing, and participation

VideogamesCultural PolicyInnovationInclusion

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Ongoing · 2025-2028

Sustainable Climate Transition in VOD

StreamSCAPES

StreamSCAPES examines how video-on-demand platforms can support climate transition across the cultural and creative industries. The project combines governance research, stakeholder hubs, and pilot tools to improve sustainability practices in production, consumption, and decision-making. It develops practical instruments such as carbon-footprint measurement approaches, a public dashboard, and advisory clinics for platform transformation. The work also foregrounds children and youth as stakeholders in imagining and shaping future-oriented sustainable media ecosystems.

Role

Principal Investigator at University of Vienna sub-project.

Funding

European Union, Horizon Europe (coordinated by Universite de Liege).

Duration

2025-2028

Key Focus Areas

Sustainability pathways for VOD ecosystems
Carbon footprint tools and dashboard development
Business clinics for greener platform models
Youth-inclusive innovation hubs

SustainabilityVOD PlatformsClimate TransitionMedia Industries

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Ongoing · 2025-2028

European Animation Ecosystem and Discoverability

ANIMA MUNDI

ANIMA MUNDI addresses the international visibility and competitiveness of European animation by researching intellectual property, discoverability, and international partnerships. The project maps structural strengths and gaps in the animation ecosystem and pilots tools that support access to and circulation of European works. It combines academic and stakeholder expertise to produce actionable resources for professionals and policymakers, while emphasizing children and youth as strategic audiences and participants in Europe’s cultural future.

Role

Principal Investigator for the University of Vienna sub-project.

Funding

European Union, Horizon Europe (coordinated by Universite de Liege).

Duration

2025-2028

Key Focus Areas

Mapping the European animation value chain
Tools for discoverability and international promotion
IP and partnership models for CCIs
Focus on children and youth audiences

AnimationDiscoverabilityIPCultural Policy

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Ongoing · 2024-2026

European Identity and Citizenship Education

EuroCivic Lab

EuroCivic strengthens teacher training and school-level practices around European identity, citizenship, and values through innovative educational methods. The project links EU citizenship education with social activism and Living Lab methodology, providing practical resources and learning frameworks for school communities. Its objective is to build resilient civic cultures that respond to current European challenges while improving inclusive teaching capacity across partner contexts.

Role

Principal Investigator for University of Vienna.

Funding

European Union, Erasmus+ Programme.

Duration

2024-2026

Key Focus Areas

Teacher training in European citizenship education
Living Lab and social activism methodologies
School-community engagement on EU values
Practical resources for classroom integration

EU CitizenshipTeacher TrainingSDGsEducation

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Completed · 2023-2026

European Film Competitiveness

REBOOT

REBOOT examined how to strengthen the competitiveness of the European film industry while sustaining cultural diversity and long-term public value. The project connected policy, industry practices, and audience research, including large-scale youth engagement, to reassess competitiveness beyond narrow market indicators. It generated comparative analysis, indicators, and policy-relevant outputs for stakeholders across Europe. The University of Vienna coordinated the consortium and led the project’s strategic and research direction.

Role

Project Coordinator: Katharine Sarikakis.

Funding

European Union, Horizon Europe.

Duration

2023-2026

Key Focus Areas

Policy and institutional analysis across Europe
Youth audience research and engagement
Competitiveness indicators and dashboard outputs
Recommendations for film governance and diversity

Film IndustryCompetitivenessPolicyYouth Audiences

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Completed · 2016-2021

Higher Education Access for Refugees

Refugee Education Initiatives (OLIve)

The Refugee Education Initiatives (OLIve and related tracks) provided higher-education oriented learning pathways for people with refugee and asylum-seeking status. Across multiple programme phases, the initiative offered structured courses, preparatory support, and targeted streams, including OLIve Women and OLIve Youth. It developed practical educational inclusion models at the University of Vienna and contributed to evidence-informed approaches for equitable access to university opportunities in Europe.

Role

Academic lead and project contact (project phases listed by the Lab).

Funding

European Union, Erasmus+ Programme.

Duration

2016-2021

Key Focus Areas

Open learning and preparatory tracks
Women-focused and youth-focused programme streams
University access support for refugees
Practice-based educational inclusion model

Refugee EducationInclusionHigher EducationOLIve

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Completed · 2017-2019

Presumption of Innocence and Media Representation

SIR: The Importance of Appearances

SIR investigated how suspects and accused persons are presented in courtrooms, public settings, and media across Europe, with a focus on the presumption of innocence. Through comparative reports, toolkits, and transnational collaboration, the project built evidence and practical guidance for legal and media professionals. It contributed to rights-based communication standards and public awareness around fair treatment and non-prejudicial representation.

Role

Project leader at University of Vienna.

Funding

European Union's Justice Programme (2014-2020).

Duration

2017-2019

Key Focus Areas

Comparative media reports across partner countries
Toolkit for journalists reporting on suspects
Rights-centered analysis of public representation
Cross-sector collaboration among legal and media actors

Human RightsMedia EthicsJusticePresumption of Innocence

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Completed · 2017

Preservation and Accessibility in Europe

Governance of Cultural Memory through Broadcast Archives

This project examined governance issues around preservation and accessibility of audiovisual broadcast archives across four European countries. It explored how institutional and policy arrangements influence cultural memory and public access to media heritage. The study contributed evidence for debates on democratic access, archival accountability, and long-term stewardship of audiovisual records.

Role

Project contact listed for Univ.-Prof. Dr. Katharine Sarikakis.

Funding

FIAT / IFTA.

Duration

2017

Key Focus Areas

Comparative European archive governance analysis
Preservation and access policy assessment
Focus on audiovisual cultural heritage
Implications for public memory and citizenship

ArchivesCultural MemoryGovernanceMedia Heritage

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History

Research Leadership and Initiatives

Completed

2019-2023

Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence FREuDe

Director

Led a comprehensive research centre focused on European media governance and integration studies.

Completed

2016-2019

Jean Monnet Chair of European Media Governance

Chair Holder

Advanced research and teaching in European media governance and integration policies.

Active

2011-Present

Media Governance and Industries Research Lab

Director

Ongoing research laboratory investigating media governance frameworks and industry dynamics.

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