Lecturers

Mag. Dr. Georg Cavallar
Department of Philosophy, University of Vienna

"I am a trained historian with a strong interest in philosophy, especially in philosophical aspects of international legal theory, the European Enlightenment, and modernity. I sometimes teach courses (master level) at the department of philosophy, usually for future teachers (e.g. „Fachdidaktische Begleitung der Praxisphase“). In my course "Plans for European Unification and their Historical Contexts before 1945" you can expect an emphasis on cultural, intellectual, and political history as it relates to plans for European unification. I look forward to teaching in the master program because I notice that grad students often lack a basic knowledge of European history. It is my firm conviction, however, that this knowledge is essential to understand the present.”

ao. Univ.-Prof. Mag. Dr. Siegfried Fina
Department of Commercial and Business Law, University of Vienna

"I am a Jean Monnet Professor of European Union Law and Associate Professor of European Union Law and Technology Law at the University of Vienna and a permanent Visiting Professor of Law at Stanford Law School, California. In the European Studies master program, I will teach the course "Introduction to EU Law". In this course, I will introduce you to the internationally unique legal system of the European Union and its relationship to the national law of the Member States as well as to the legal framework of the European Internal Market, which is based on four fundamental economic freedoms for goods, services, persons, and capital."

Mag.iur. Dr.iur. Maria Lee
CMS-Reich-Rohrwig-Heinz Rechtsanwälte GmbH

"My academic/ professional background is in Law. Having studied law in Austria and England, I trained with a magic circle firm in London, qualified as an English solicitor, worked several years as a corporate in-house lawyer and in academia. I am currently a freelance consultant, lecturer on equality and anti-discrimination. I teach EU Anti-Discrimination law at the master program. In my course you can expect an introduction into EU anti-discrimination law. It aims at giving you an understanding of the basic concepts of antidiscrimination law and the ability to spot potential discrimination issues when you encounter them in real life. The course focuses on the protected grounds of sex and ethnic origin, covering equal treatment in the area of employment and in the access to goods and services. I look forward to teaching in the master program because I enjoy the lively discussions in class with highly motivated and talented students from different academic backgrounds. In current discussions/ analyses about Europe it is important to understand that the EU has evolved beyond being a mere economic union, but is now a union that needs to be reckoned with when discussing social and fundamental rights issues."

ao.Univ.-Prof. i.R. Dr. Christoph Reinprecht
Department of Sociology, University of Vienna

"I am a professor of Sociology at the University of Vienna. My academic research interests focus on transformations of the social, in particular related to urban issues, migration and integration processes, social inequalities, and political sociology. In the master program I hold the courses "Structure and Change of European Societies" and "Research and Academic Methods". My teaching is driven by my understanding of academia: interdisciplinaire and multi-perspective, self-reflexive and critical. The sessions run interactive, based on common readings and the research results participants bring in on topics that had been developed collaboratively. As the scientific director of the program for more than 15 years now, I witness the lived interdisciplinary of the master program - in participants as well as lecturers - as one of our strengths in the program. The knowledge gained in our postgraduate program about the historic, economic, legal, political, and socio-cultural dimensions of European integration are in demand, now more than ever."

MMag. Dr. Peter Slominski, Privatdoz.
Department of Political Science, University of Vienna

"My academic background is political science and law and I teach the course ‘Governance in the EU’ in the master program. Students can expect an overview of how EU and national institutions interact in the various policy-making modes and how these decisions are implemented. Knowledge of the inner workings of the EU’s political system are essential to work in a European environment. I love teaching in the master program because it provides the opportunity to discuss these important issues with students of diverse backgrounds.My academic background is political science and law and I teach the course ‘Governance in the EU’ in the master program. Students can expect an overview of how EU and national institutions interact in the various policy-making modes and how these decisions are implemented. Knowledge of the inner workings of the EU’s political system are essential to work in a European environment. I love teaching in the master program because it provides the opportunity to discuss these important issues with students of diverse backgrounds."

Mag. Daniel Spichtinger, M.A.
previously European Commission / self-employed

"From 2012 to 2018 I was a member of the unit dealing with open science in the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Research and Innovation. Since then I have returned to Austria where I am working as an independent expert on EU research policy. I am also employed as Programme Manager Grants & Policy at the Ludwig Boltzmann Gesellschaft. I teach EU project development and EU careers at the master program. In my courses you can expect to learn why EU projects are important and how to develop them, and to get an overview of EU career possibilities. I look forward to teaching in the master program because EU projects are not a “Geheimwissenschaft“ – everyone can participate! In current discussions/ analyses about Europe it is important not to forge the many EU activities that are invisible to the public but provide concrete added value and impact.”

DI Rainer Svacinka
i.a. sumo Technologies GmbH

"My academic/ professional background is Biotechnology, Research Project Management and Entrepreneurship. I teach Research Project Management at the master program. In my course you can expect practical insights on how to structure a research project from idea to a structured project plan and application and to controlled and successful project implementation. I look forward to teaching in the master program because in our professional daily life, we work with dedicated researchers and experts in interesting projects and we are looking forward to preparing the next generation of motivated experts for national and international strategic projects. In current discussions/ analyses about Europe it is important to strengthen our position in terms of values and expertise to being able to continue our importance and role in the future of an ever-(fast)-changing world."

Univ.-Doz. DDr. Heinz Vetschera 
previously National Defence Academy/Institute for Strategy & Security Policy / now self-employed

"My academic and professional background is with security studies at the Austrian National Defense Academy, but also with practical experience in international organizations and the Austrian Foreign Ministry. At the master program I teach European Security Policy – not just the security policy of the EU but the wider framework of security in Europe. In my course you can expect basics of security policy, challenges to European security and the responses by various security organizations – the Council of Europe, NATO, the EU and the OSCE. I look forward to teaching the topic because it has for too long been neglected and knowledge even of basics is generally minimal to non-existent, while the war in Ukraine has suddenly raised demand for knowledge. In current discussions on European security it is important to apply a broad, knowledge-based and fact-based approach and it is my intention to contribute to this aim with my lecture."

Mag. (FH) Andreas Wiesinger

"I have an economic and technical background. For the last 10 years I work in research and innovation aviation, first for the European Commission in Belgium and since 2020 in Austria. Our vision is to make aviation sustainable and climate friendly. Together with my colleagues Daniel Spichtinger and Rainer Svacinka, we teach EU funding possibilities and EU projects at the master program. In our course you can expect to learn everything you need to become able to draft EU proposals. Firstly, you will gain an overview of the European funding landscape and thus deepen your understanding of the different EU instruments. In order to become acquainted to EU proposals, you will evaluate a previously submitted proposal. Finally, after choosing a topic, you will, in a group with your fellow students, draft an EU proposal. In the end you will receive a thorough feedback. I look forward to teaching in the master program because I do enjoy bringing my experience in European research closer to students. In current discussions about the EU, it is important to emphasise the collaboration of different sectors and Member States to strengthen our position in a changing world as we remain united in diversity."