Academic Degrees
2017 Doctor of Philosophy in Political Science at University of Vienna
Dissertation: Conflict at the Interface: Inter-Group Divisions and Hegemonic Forces in Northern Ireland. (info)
2003 Master of Social and Economic Sciences at Vienna University of Economics & Business
Diploma thesis: Economic, Social, and Political Justice and Stability for Northern Ireland? – Examining the Good Friday Agreement from the Perspective of John Rawls’s Social Contract Theory. (info)

Current Positions
since October 2006 Senior Lecturer in Peace and Conflict Studies, International Politics, East European Studies and Research Methods at the Department of Political Science, University of Vienna;
since October 2019 Associated Researcher and Lecturer in Interdisciplinary Research Methods and Peace and Conflict Studies at the Centre for Southeast European Studies, University of Graz;
since September 2014 Associated Researcher at the Department of Southeast European History and Anthropology (SEEHA)

Previous Positions
June 2018 - October 2018 researcher at the European Training and Research Centre for Human Rights and Democracy of the University of Graz (UNI-ETC) September 2016 - February 2017 researcher at the Institute of Legal Foundations, University of Graz; June 2015 - December 2015 researcher at the Department of Educational Science, University of Graz; March 2014 - September 2014 researcher at SEEHA, University of Graz; October 2011 - September 2013 lecturer at the European Peace University (EPU), and May 2011 - June 2013 researcher at the Austrian Study Centre for Peace and Conflict Resolution (ASPR), Schlaining Castle; May 2009 - August 2009 field research in Northern Ireland (host: Institute for Conflict Research, Belfast); January 2009 - April 2009 field research in Kosovo (hosts: Spark Prishtina and Human Rights Center of the University of Pristina); October 2007 - September 2010 Ph.D. research assistant at the Vienna School of Governance, University of Vienna; August 2004 - December 2005 Ph.D. research and teaching assistant at the School of Politics and International Relations (SPIRE), the Institute of British-Irish Studies (IBIS) and the Institute for the Study of Social Change, University College Dublin; 1998 research visit at Trinity College Dublin and Queen's University Belfast.

Main Research Interests
Peace-building and conflict transformation, local flashpoints, divided societies, hegemony, power relations, governance, nationalism, social justice, youth activism and participation, social media, international politics, globalisation, alternative economics, climate change and system change;
Regional focus: Northern Ireland, Kosovo, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Western Balkans, Basque Country, EU, Middle East, South Africa.

Publications
Preiss, Bert: "Der nordirische Friedensprozess in Zeiten von Corona und nach dem Brexit: Neue politische Einheit oder weitere Machtkämpfe unter dem Deckmantel der Pandemie?" In: Schmidinger, Thomas/Weidenholzer, Josef (Ed.) Virenregime. Wie die Coronakrise unsere Welt verändert. Befunde, Analyse, Anregungen. Vienna: bahoe books: 2020, pp. 165-175. (info) (order)

Preiss, Bert: Conflict at the Interface: Local Community Divisions and Hegemonic Forces in Northern Ireland. Zurich/Vienna/Berlin: LIT 2020. (info & order)

Promitzer, Christian/Preiss, Bert: Das Wahre im Falschen oder Linkspopulismus als Herausforderungen für eine klassenorientierte fortschrittliche Politik. Track #3: Wir und die Anderen: Klasse und Identität. Momentum Kongress 2018. Online. (pdf)

Preiss, Bert/Brunner, Claudia (Eds.): Democracy in Crisis: The Dynamics of Civil Protest and Civil Resistance. Peace Report 2012. Dialogue 64. Series-ed.: Austrian Study Centre for Peace and Conflict Resolution. Vienna/Berlin: LIT 2013. (info & order)

Preiss, Bert/Brunner, Claudia: "Setting the Scene: On the Crisis of Democracy and the Potential for Civil Protest and Resistance", in: Democracy in Crisis: The Dynamics of Civil Protest and Civil Resistance. Peace Report 2012. Vienna/Berlin: LIT 2013, pp. 9-32.

Preiss, Bert: "The State of Peace Conference 2012: Reflections, Impressions and Feedback", in: Democracy in Crisis: The Dynamics of Civil Protest and Civil Resistance. Peace Report 2012. Vienna/Berlin: LIT 2013, pp. 421-443.

Sereghy, Zsolt/Bunk, Sarah/Preiss, Bert (Eds.): The Arab Revolutions: Reflections on the Role of Civil Society, Human Rights and New Media in the Transformation Processes. SAFRAN – Schlaining Working Papers for Peace Research, Disarmament, and Sustainable Development, Paper No. 09. Series-Ed.: Austrian Study Centre for Peace and Conflict Resolution (ASPR). Stadtschlaining, March 2012. (pdf)

Sereghy, Zsolt/Bunk, Sarah/Preiss, Bert: "Introduction", in: The Arab Revolutions: Reflections on the Role of Civil Society, Human Rights and New Media in the Transformation Processes. SAFRAN Paper No. 09. Stadtschlaining, March 2012, pp. 7-10.

Preiss, Bert/Tuschl, Ronald H. (Eds.): Die State-of-Peace-Konferenz: Ein Rückblick auf 25 Jahre Friedens- und Konfliktforschung, Friedensbericht 2011, Dialog 62. Series-Ed.: Österreichisches Studienzentrum für Frieden und Konfliktlösung (ÖSFK). Vienna/ Berlin: LIT 2012. (info & order)

Tuschl, Ronald H./Preiss, Bert: "Die State-of-Peace-Konferenz – ein Rückblick auf 25 Jahre österreichische Friedens- und Konfliktforschung", in: Die State-of-Peace-Konferenz: Ein Rückblick auf 25 Jahre Friedens- und Konfliktforschung, Friedensbericht 2011. Vienna/Berlin: LIT 2012. pp. 9-12.

Preiss, Bert (Ed.): Zeitenwende in der arabischen Welt – Welche Antwort findet Europa? Dialog 61. Series-Ed.: Österreichisches Studienzentrum für Frieden und Konfliktlösung (ÖSFK). Vienna/Berlin: LIT 2012. (info & order)

Preiss, Bert: "Zeitenwende in der arabischen Welt: Ein Vorwort zu den arabischen Revolutionen und ihren Bedeutungen für Europa und die internationale Gemeinschaft", in: Zeitenwende in der arabischen Welt – Welche Antwort findet Europa? Vienna/Berlin: LIT 2012, pp. 9-14.

Preiss, Bert/Sereghy, Zsolt: "Migration und Cyber-Sicherheit in der neuen österreichischen Sicherheitsstrategie – eine friedenspolitische Bewertung aus diskursanalytischer Sicht". In: Wiener Blätter zur Friedensforschung 4/2011, pp. 1-16.

Preiss, Bert/Buder, Elisabeth: "Zeitenwende in der arabischen Welt und die mögliche Antwort Europas, Nachlese Internationale Sommerakademie 2011". In: Friedensforum 5-6/2011, pp. 5-13. (pdf)

Lambi, Julius/Preiss, Herbert: The Vienna Science Shuttle: A Busload of Passion. Travel Report. July 2010, Vienna Science Shuttle Website (offline). (pdf)

Tödtling Schönhofer, Herta/Wimmer, Hannes/Camus, Xavier/Preiss, Herbert/Kinsella, Tony: Governance and Partnership in Regional Policy. Ad-hoc Note for the European Parliament. IP/B/REGI/FWC/2006-Lot05-C02-SC02. PE 397.245 EN. January 2008. Luxembourg: EU Publications Office.

Eurocities Arbeitsgruppe: Die Strategien der Städte zur Bekämpfung der Obdachlosigkeit – Erster Bericht der Eurocities Arbeitsgruppe (Cities’ strategies against homelessness - First report of a Eurocities working group). Revised and translated from English by Bert Preiss. June 2006. Vienna: Vienna Social Fund.

Scientific Conferences and Other Events (with own contribution)
International Virtual Conference "Divided Societies: Negotiating the Past, Present and Future", Panel "Negotiating the Present: Overcoming Social Conflict - Local Lessons from South Africa", Institute for Global Negotiation & University of Zurich, 01/2022 (discussant). (info)

MA Seminar "International Relations, History and Current Issues", Prof. Settimio Stallone, Guest lecture on "Conflict and Peace in Deeply Divided Societies", Department of Political Science University of Napoli Frederico II, 12/2021 (lecturer).

IPW Lecture, "'And the Walls Remain the Same?' Local conflict in Northern Ireland in light of Brexit, the Irish border issue and disruptive power sharing", Department of Political Science, University of Vienna, 05/2020 (lecturer & organizer). (info & video)

Book presentation "'Und die Friedensmauern bleiben?' Lokaler Konflikt in Nordirland im Kontext von Brexit und der irischen Grenzfrage", Karl-Drews-Club, Graz, 01/2020 (presenter & organizer). (info)

Book presentation "'And the Walls Remain the Same?' Local Conflict in Northern Ireland in Light of Brexit and the Irish Border Issue", International Institute for Peace, Vienna, 01/2020 (presenter). (event report & video)

Book presentation "'And the Walls Remain the Same?' Local Conflict in Northern Ireland in Light of Brexit and the Irish Border Issue", Irish Business Network, Expat Lounge, Vienna, 11/2019 (presenter). (info)

Seminar "Brown Bag: 'The Power of Youth: Exploring Young People’s Engagement in Local Conflict Transformation in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kosovo'", Centre for Southeast European Studies, University of Graz, 04/2019 (presenter). (info)

3rd Network Meeting of Peace and Conflict Research in Austria, Peace Centre, Schlaining Castle, 12/2018 (discussant).

International Conference “The Generation of Transition in Eastern Europe: A Generation of Uncertainty – a Generation of Distrust?”, German Russian Exchange (DRA) & Sofia Platform, Sofia, 11/2018 (discussant); (info)
Preparatory Workshop, Berlin, 09/2018 (presenter & discussant). (info)

Congress, "Momentum 18: Klasse", Hallstatt, 10/2018 (presenter). (info)

Open Workshop, “Atlantic to Adriatic: Contact Points and Historical Parallels between Ireland and Southeast Europe”, University of Rijeka, 04/2018 (presenter). (programme) (info)

Lecture on "Interfaces and Intercommunal Conflict in Belfast as a Contested City" within the course "Multiethnic Cities in European Contemporary History" by Prof. Vanni D'Alessio, Department of History, University of Rijeka, 01/2018 (lecturer).

International Conference "Children of Transition, Children of War: The 'Generation of Transformation' from a European Perspective", University of Vienna, 11/2016 (presenter). (info)

Plenary Meeting & Conference "ARAB-TRANS: 'Political and Social Transformations in the Arab World", The Duke Hotel Rome, 12/2015 (presenter & discussant).

Workshop "Generation On The Move: Children Of The 90s in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo and Serbia", Center for Advanced Studies of Southeastern Europe (CAS SEE), University of Rijeka, 10/2015 (presenter). (info)

Seminar "Brown Bag: 'Conflict at the Interface: Inter-Group Divisions and Hegemonic Struggles in Kosovo and Northern Ireland'", Centre for Southeast European Studies, University of Graz, 09/ 2014 (presenter).

"Tag des SoWi-Doktorats", Faculty for Social Sciences, University of Vienna, 11/2013. (presenter).

Junior Researcher Conference “Perspektiven der (Post-) Demokratie in Theorie und Praxis – Wissenschaft in Bewegung“, Distance Learning University Hagen – Regional Centre Berlin, 01-02/2013. (discussant).

26th State of Peace Conference 2012, "Democracy in Crisis: The Dynamics of Civic Protest and Civic Resistance“, Austrian Study Centre for Peace and Conflict Resolution (ASPR), Schlaining Castle, 09/2012. (organizer, scientific coordinator, moderator & discussant). (info)

International Ph.D. Colloquium “Ost- und westeuropäische Perspektiven auf politische und gesellschaftliche Transformationen“, (Distance Learning University Hagen, Karls-University of Prague, University of Vienna), Austrian Cultural Forum Prague, 03/2012 (presenter & discussant).

International Conference “Wars in Yugoslavia - 20 years later: Challenges for a European culture of peace", Centre for Peace Research and Peace Education, Alps-Adriatic University of Klagenfurt, 11-12/2011 (presenter).

Workshop, “Die österreichische Sicherheitsstrategie aus friedenspolitischer Sicht“, Austrian Study Centre for Peace and Conflict Resolution (ASPR), Schlaining Castle, 11/2011 (discussant).

28th International Summer Academy 2011, “Zeitenwende in der arabischen Welt: welche Antwort findet Europe?“, Austrian Study Centre for Peace and Conflict Resolution (ASPR), Schlaining Castle, 07/2011. (co-organizer, scientific coordinator, moderator & discussant). (info)

International Conference “Managing Diversity in the Post-Conflict Western Balkans: Multiculturalism, Multiethnicity, and Europeanization”, Kosovo Public Policy Center, Pristina, 06/2011 (presenter).

EuroScience Open Forum (ESOF), "Vienna Science Shuttle", Torino, 07/2010 (delegate).

Annual Conference, Regional Research Promotion Programme Western Balkans (RRPP), "Social, Political and Economic Change in the Western Balkans", Durrës, 06/2010 (presenter).

Interdisciplinary Colloquium "Vienna Eastern Europe Forum: Kosovo", University of Vienna, 04/2010 (moderator).

Course "Divided Societies (XII): Building Up Polities in the Balkans and Beyond", Inter-University Centre Dubrovnik, 04/2009 (presenter).

Qualitative Data Analysis for Ph.D. Students within Political Science, Public Administration and International Relations, Polforsk, University of Copenhagen, 11/2008 (participant & discussant).

6th Pavia Graduate Conference in Political Philosophy, Institute for Advanced Study (IUSS), Pavia, 09/2008 (presenter).

2nd Graduate Conference, European Consortium for Political Research (ECPR), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08/2008 (presenter).

Workshop, Konstanzer Meisterklasse "Construction and Boundaries", University of Constance, 07/2008. (presenter & discussant).

31st Annual Scientific Meeting, International Society of Political Psychology (ISPP), Sciences Po Paris, 07/2008 (presenter).

Seminar, European Graduate School for Social Sciences (EUSOC), Telĉ, 05/2008 (presenter).

Course "Divided Societies (XI) in South Eastern Europe and the Balkans, 1998-2008: Transitions and Governance", Inter-University Centre Dubrovnik, 04/2008. (presenter).

6th Graduate Conference in Political Theory, University of Essex, 05/2005 (presenter).

International Summer School, Institute of Human Sciences (IWM), Summer School in Politics and Philosopy, Cortona/Italy, 07/2004 (participant & discussant).

Redbull Music Academy, Dublin/Ireland, July 2000 (participant, discussant & performer).

University Courses Taught
“Introduction to Scientific Work", Proseminar, Department of Political Science, University of Vienna, Summer Semester 2020, 2018, 2017 & 2015, Winter Semester 2021/22, 2020/21 & 2016/17.

"Internationale Politik - Der internationale Beitrag zur Friedenskonsolidierung in Zeiten multipler Krisen", Proseminar, Department of Political Science, University of Vienna, Summer Semester 2021

"Democratization and State-Building in Post-Conflict Societies", Seminar, Centre for Southeast European Studies, University of Graz, Summer Semester 2020. (concluding discussion with international experts: video)

“Internationale Politik: Die Rolle von EU-Akteuren bei der Friedenskonsolidierung in Post-Konflikt-Gesellschaften“, Proseminar, Department of Political Science, University of Vienna, Summer Semester 2020.

"Introduction to the Interdisciplinary Approach", Seminar, Centre for Southeast European Studies, University of Graz, Winter Semester 2019/20.

"Introduction to the Interdisciplinary Approach", Lecture, with Prof. Florian Bieber, Centre for Southeast European Studies, University of Graz, Winter Semester 2019/20.

“Theorie und Empirie Internationale Politik: Friedenskonsolidierung in Post-Konflikt-Gesellschaften und die Rolle internationaler Akteure“, with Prof. Dieter Segert, Proseminar, Department of Political Science, University of Vienna, Summer Semester 2016.

“Theorie und Empirie Internationale Politik: Innerstaatliche Konflikte, Konflikttransformation und internationale Akteure“, Proseminar, Department of Political Science, University of Vienna, Summer Semester 2015 & 2014.

“Theorie und Empirie Internationale Politik: Die internationale Dimension innerstaatlicher Konflikte“, Proseminar, Department of Political Science, University of Vienna, Summer Semester 2013.

“Einführung in das wissenschaftliche Arbeiten”, Proseminar, Department of Political Science, University of Vienna, Summer Semester 2013.

“Ethno-Religiöse Konflikte”, Seminar, University Programme for Migration Management, Danube University Krems, 11/2012.

“Forms of Conflict, Conflict Analysis and Working with Conflict”, Seminar, European Peace University (EPU), 10-11/2012 & 2011.

“Theorie und Empirie Internationale Politik: Hegemonie und die internationale Dimension innerstaatlicher Konflikte“, Reading course/Proseminar, Department of Political Science, University of Vienna, Summer Semester 2012.

“Theorie und Empirie Internationale Politik: Die internationale Dimension innerstaatlicher Konflikte“, with Benjamin Opratko, Proseminar, Department of Political Science, University of Vienna, Summer Semester 2011.

“Justice, Equality and Governance Transformation in Conflict Societies: Kosovo and Northern Ireland“, with Kurt Gritsch, Seminar, Department of Political Science, University of Vienna, Winter Semester 2010.

“Political Economy of Conflicts in Divided Societies“, Proseminar, Department of Political Science, University of Vienna, Winter Semester 2008.

“Justice, Equality and Political Transformation in Conflict Societies“, Proseminar, Department of Political Science, University of Vienna, Summer Semester 2008 and 2007.

“Perspectives for Conflict Resolution and Just Settlement in Northern Ireland and Other Divided Societies“, Proseminar, Department of Political Science, University of Vienna, Winter Semester 2006/07.

“The Politics of the Northern Ireland Conflict“, Tutorials, School of Politics and International Relations, University College Dublin, Summer Semester 2005.

“Political Research Methods“, Tutorials, School of Politics and International Relations, University College Dublin, Winter Semester 2004/05.

“Political Theory“, Tutorials, School of Politics and International Relations, University College Dublin, Winter Semester 2004/05.

Peace Pedagogical Courses for Children and Youth
“Am Runden Tisch: Partizipation und Frieden", Workshop with children and youth and politicians, KinderUni Steyr, 09/2015.

Workshop “Warum ist Frieden so schwierig? Friedensforschung: wie Konflikte friedlich gelöst werden können”, KinderUni Vienna, 07/2015, 2014, 2013, 2012 & 2011.

Workshops (out- and indoor) “Vielfalt – Gemeinschaft – Frieden“, UniClub-Sciencecamp 2014, 05/2014.

Lecture & Workshop "Warum ist Frieden so schwierig? Friedensforschung: wie Konflikte friedlich gelöst werden können”, KinderUni Steyr, 08/2014 & 2013.

Children's lecture “Warum ist Frieden so schwierig?”, Zoom Children's Museum, 01/2012.

Scientific Memberships
European Consortium for Political Research (ECPR), Standing Group on Democratic Innovations (ecpr profile)
International Society of Political Psychology (ISPP)
Institute for Global Negotiation (IGN)
Austrian Political Science Association (ÖGPW)
Network for Peace & Conflict Research and Science-Based Peace Work in Austria (NeFKÖ)
Research Group East European Studies, Department of Political Science, University of Vienna
Scientists For Future Austria

Contact
Email
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"It is senseless to speak of optimism or pessimism. The only important thing to remember is that if one works well in a potato field, the potatoes will grow. If one works well among people, they will grow. That's reality. The rest is smoke." (Danilo Dolci)