Current Fellows' research
- On the Spirit of Europe: A Philosophical and Economic Quest for Europe’s SoulTomáš Sedláček will be applying the final touches to his new book, The Spirit of Europe. What is the enduring “spirit” of Europe, and how can its rediscovery guide the continent through its current challenges and toward a more meaningful future?
- Escaping the Doom Spiral: How to Reclaim the Future for Liberal DemocracyAmid interlinking crises and deep-running transformations—from the energy transition and trade wars to the return of great power politics and the fight to counter disinformation and regulate Big Tech—liberal democracies have struggled to formulate compelling narratives.
- Faith and Flag: Religious Nationalism in the Age of PopulismThe gods are once again afoot in the public square. Across the globe, a toxic mixture of religion and nationalism is upending liberal conventions. In the United States, Christian nationalists have reshaped both the Republican Party and American politics.
- Global Relations over the Next DecadeJames C. O’Brien will ask what kind of possibilities for international cooperation will emerge after the current period of instability. It is clear that there will be no restoration of the old “normal” (which never was normal).
- Staging the Border: The Symbolic Creation of the Danube Monarchy in Southeastern Europe before 1791Borders and border regions have attracted intensified scholarly interest, shaped by historiographical developments and 20th-century conflicts. This project examines how the European–Ottoman frontier in the early modern Balkans was perceived, visualized, and staged.
- Tariffs, Technology, and Transfer Unions: The Historical Origins of European Economic (Dis)UnityDespite the European Union’s best efforts at forging greater economic, cultural, and political unity among member states, Europe’s “usable past” in economic history remains a patchwork of national stories, rather than a unified narrative.
Jobs and Open Calls
IWM Rector
The Institute for Human Sciences (IWM) in Vienna, Austria invites outstanding candidates to apply for the position of Rector.
News
- A New Fellowship Honoring the Legacy of Karel SchwarzenbergThe Institute for Human Sciences (IWM) is pleased to announce the inauguration of the Karel Schwarzenberg Fellowship, established in memory of the eminent Czech-Austrian statesman and politician. We are delighted to…
- The IWM Invites Applications for the Position of RectorThe Institute for Human Sciences (IWM) in Vienna, Austria, invites outstanding candidates to apply for the position of Rector. This is an exceptional opportunity to lead a renowned institution dedicated to the…
- We Welcome the First Fellows of 2026The six visiting fellows listed below will be joining the Institute in January. Learn more about their fellowships and research projects by clicking on their names. For interview requests or media inquiries, please…
Upcoming events
- Fellows' Colloquium with Paolo NovakSeminars and Colloquia
- Ivan Krastev and Yongle Zhang in ConversationPanels and Discussions
- Fellows' Colloquium with Martin MalekSeminars and Colloquia
- Monthly Lecture with Nils GilmanLecture
Recent Media
Upcoming events
- Fellows' Colloquium with Paolo NovakSeminars and Colloquia
- Ivan Krastev and Yongle Zhang in ConversationPanels and Discussions
- Fellows' Colloquium with Martin MalekSeminars and Colloquia
- Monthly Lecture with Nils GilmanLecture
News
- A New Fellowship Honoring the Legacy of Karel SchwarzenbergThe Institute for Human Sciences (IWM) is pleased to announce the inauguration of the Karel Schwarzenberg Fellowship, established in memory of the eminent Czech-Austrian statesman and politician. We are delighted to…
- The IWM Invites Applications for the Position of RectorThe Institute for Human Sciences (IWM) in Vienna, Austria, invites outstanding candidates to apply for the position of Rector. This is an exceptional opportunity to lead a renowned institution dedicated to the…
- We Welcome the First Fellows of 2026The six visiting fellows listed below will be joining the Institute in January. Learn more about their fellowships and research projects by clicking on their names. For interview requests or media inquiries, please…
Current Fellows' research
- On the Spirit of Europe: A Philosophical and Economic Quest for Europe’s SoulTomáš Sedláček will be applying the final touches to his new book, The Spirit of Europe. What is the enduring “spirit” of Europe, and how can its rediscovery guide the continent through its current challenges and toward a more meaningful future?
- Escaping the Doom Spiral: How to Reclaim the Future for Liberal DemocracyAmid interlinking crises and deep-running transformations—from the energy transition and trade wars to the return of great power politics and the fight to counter disinformation and regulate Big Tech—liberal democracies have struggled to formulate compelling narratives.
- Faith and Flag: Religious Nationalism in the Age of PopulismThe gods are once again afoot in the public square. Across the globe, a toxic mixture of religion and nationalism is upending liberal conventions. In the United States, Christian nationalists have reshaped both the Republican Party and American politics.
- Global Relations over the Next DecadeJames C. O’Brien will ask what kind of possibilities for international cooperation will emerge after the current period of instability. It is clear that there will be no restoration of the old “normal” (which never was normal).
- Staging the Border: The Symbolic Creation of the Danube Monarchy in Southeastern Europe before 1791Borders and border regions have attracted intensified scholarly interest, shaped by historiographical developments and 20th-century conflicts. This project examines how the European–Ottoman frontier in the early modern Balkans was perceived, visualized, and staged.
- Tariffs, Technology, and Transfer Unions: The Historical Origins of European Economic (Dis)UnityDespite the European Union’s best efforts at forging greater economic, cultural, and political unity among member states, Europe’s “usable past” in economic history remains a patchwork of national stories, rather than a unified narrative.
Recent Media
The IWM is a community of scholars pursuing advanced research in the humanities and social sciences.
For four decades, the Institute has promoted intellectual exchange across disciplines, between academia and society, and among regions of the world. It hosts more than a hundred fellows each year, organizes public exchanges, and publishes books, articles, and digital fora.