Current Research Projects
Completed Research and Development Projects
- Strategies for Financing Harvest Shares in Community-Supported Agriculture for Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Households in Austria
Client:Internal/FERNFH
Objective:The objective of this internally funded research project was to examine the potential of Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA) in Austria and Germany among people with lower incomes and to identify national differences. In addition, the study sought to determine which pricing models and subsidy schemes are most attractive and acceptable to this target group. The research aimed to assess willingness to participate in a CSA program, the acceptable price for harvest shares, and the preferred forms of subsidies (e.g., public funding, member donations, income-based pricing). The research aims to understand the specific barriers and motivations for participating in CSAs among economically disadvantaged population groups and, ultimately, to develop strategies that enable broader participation in this sustainable system and offer both environmental and health benefits.
Duration:October 2023 through March 2025
Project Manager:Birgit Teufer
Project Contributor: VivienMarx
- Evaluation of the Project “Implementation of the Priority Area: Collective Patient Participation Through Self-Help Organizations”
Client: FondsGesundes Österreich, a division of Gesundheit Österreich GmbH
Objective: Internalquality assurance of the work of the Austrian Competence and Service Center for Self-Help (ÖKUSS)
Duration:November 2021–April 2023
Project Manager:Karin Waldherr
Project Team:Ursula Prinz; Martina Nitsch (through April 2022)
Project partners:
- ÖKUSS– Austrian Center of Expertise and Services for Self-Help
- Healthy Austria Fund
- Immersive Learning | 360° – Augmented and Virtual Reality in Online Teaching
Funded by: Stateof Lower Austria (K3-F-834/001-2018)
Objective: To develop, test, and further refine the use of immersive technologies in degree programs and continuing education courses at FERNFH; to investigate how their optimal integration into a pedagogical framework can ensure that they promote learning.
Duration:November 2018–November 2021
Project Manager:Barbara Wimmer
Project Team Members:Katharina Pichler, Markus Millendorfer
Accompanying Research/Evaluation:Ingrid Wahl, Stefanie Kuso, Martina Nitsch, Anahid Aghamanoukjan
Publications and Conference Papers:
Wahl, Ingrid, Kuso, Stefanie & Wimmer, Barbara(2022). An Assessment of Learners’ Needs Regarding Learning Videos and Immersive Learning Environments.Digital Psychology,3(2), 27–35. [online]Wimmer, Barbara, Lukács, Bence, Kuso, Stefanie & Wahl, Ingrid (2019). Closing the Distance: A Project on Creating Immersive Environments for Remote Learning.18thEuropean Conference on e-Learning, Copenhagen, Denmark, November 7–8, 2019. [Poster]
Aghamanoukjan, Anahid, Nitsch, Martina, Millendorfer, Markus, Pichler, Katharina & Wimmer, Barbara(2020). QUALITORIAL – A Guide to Social Research. 19th E-Learning Day 2020, Graz, Austria, September 23, 2020. [online]
Kuso, Stefanie & Wahl, Ingrid(2020). Evaluation of the Development Process for Immersive Learning Environments. 19th E-Learning Day 2020, Graz, Austria, September 23, 2020. [online]
Millendorfer, Markus, Wimmer, Barbara, Pichler, Kathrin(2020). What WebXR Means for eLearning. ECEL 2020 – 19th European Conference on eLearning, Oct. 29–30, 2020, Berlin (online meeting).
- Evaluation of the “Health Literacy and Quality of Communication (GuG)” Project
Client: WienerGesundheitsförderung GmbH – WiG
Objective: Evaluationof the WiG project “Health Literacy and Quality of Communication”
Duration:September 2018–July 2021
Project Manager:Karin Waldherr
Project Team:Martina Nitsch, Anahid Aghamanoukjan, Stefanie Kuso, Marion Mitter, Corinna Vollert, Larissa Breitenegger, Natalie Waldherr, Sandra Vögl
Project partners:
- Vienna Alliance for Health Promotion in Healthcare Facilities (6 partner organizations with 10 pilot departments)
- BDO Health Care Consultancy GmbH (Process Support)
- Vienna Care and Patient Advocacy Office (WPPA)
- Communication Trainers & Actors
- @Migration Spotlight – Support for Migrants and Refugees to Foster Intercultural Competencies
Funded by:Erasmus+ (Grant No. 2018-1-BG01-KA204-047941)
Objective:To promote intercultural competence among people who work with refugees and individuals with a migrant background by developing and applying innovative and creative teaching and learning activities and materials; to develop and implement a train-the-trainer program that utilizes innovative teaching and learning materials.
Duration:November 2018–July 2021
Project Manager:Daniela Wolf; Maternity Leave Replacement: Karin Waldherr
Project Team:Martina Nitsch, Marion Mitter
Project partners:
- ALEF– Center for Jewish-Bulgarian Cooperation (Bulgaria)
- Chamber of Chalkidiki (Greece)
- University of Nicosia(Cyprus)
- University Colleges Leuven-Limburg(Belgium)
- ICare – Integrating Technology into Mental Health Care Delivery in Europe
Funded by: the EuropeanUnion through the Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Program
Goal: Toestablish a comprehensive care model for promoting mental health in the form of an online platform offering interventions for the prevention, early detection, and treatment of common mental health disorders.
Period: September 2015–August 2019
Website:www.icare-online.eu
Coordination: Univ.-Prof. Dr. Corinna Jacobi (TU Dresden)
Project Manager at FERNFH: KarinWaldherr
Project Team Members: TanjaAdamcik, Stefanie Kuso, Martina Nitsch
Project partners:Dresden University of Technology,University of Valencia,London School of Economics and Political Science,University of Bern,Jaume I University of Castellón,Stichting VU-VUMC, Friedrich-Alexander University ofErlangen-Nuremberg,Medical University of Vienna,University of Zurich,King’s College London,Minddistrict Development,University of Münster
Publications (as of July 15, 2021):
- Jacobi, Corinna;Waldherr, Karin; Klesges, Lisa M.; Dorner, Thomas E.; Taylor, C. Barr, on behalf of the ICare consortium. Introduction to the EJPH Supplement “E-Mental-Health: exploring the evidence base and stakeholders’ perspectives on Internet-based interventions for the prevention of mental health conditions.”Eur J Public Health 2021;31(Suppl.1):i1–i2.https://academic.oup.com/eurpub/issue/31/Supplement_1
- Barbara Nacke, Michael Zeiler,Stefanie Kuso, Lisa M. Klesges, Corinna Jacobi, &Karin Waldherr. A systematic review of reach, adoption, implementation, and maintenance of internet-based interventions to prevent eating disorders in adults.Eur J Public Health 2021;31(Suppl. 1):i29–i37.https://academic.oup.com/eurpub/issue/31/Supplement_1
- Nitsch, Martina; Waldherr, Karin; Zeiler, Michael; Klesges, Lisa; Jacobi, Corinna. Stakeholder consultation to facilitate the implementation of interventions for prevention and promotion in mental health in Europe: introducing the ICare Stakeholder Survey. Eur J Public Health 2021; 31(Suppl. 1):i48–i54.https://academic.oup.com/eurpub/issue/31/Supplement_1
- Stefanie Kuso, Martina Nitsch, Michael Zeiler, Monika Simek,Tanja Adamcik, Michelle Dey, Thomas Berger, Tobias Krieger, Kiona K. Weisel, Anna-Carlotta Zarski, David D. Ebert, Michael P. Schaub, Moser Christian T., Botella Christina, Baños Rosa, Herrero Rocio, Etchemendy Ernestina, Nacke Barbara, Beintner Ina, Vollert Bianka, Schmidt-Hantke Juliane, Hütter Kristian, Jacobi Corinna, &Karin Waldherr. Stakeholders’ views on online interventions to prevent common mental health disorders in adults implemented into existing healthcare systems in Europe. Eur J Public Health 2021;31(Suppl. 1):i55–i63.https://academic.oup.com/eurpub/issue/31/Supplement_1
- Michael Zeiler,Stefanie Kuso, Martina Nitsch, Monika Simek,Tanja Adamcik, Rocio Herrero, Ernestina Etchemendy, Adriana Mira, Elia Oliver, Megan Jones Bell, Andreas Karwautz, Gudrun Wagner, Rosa Maria Baños Rivera, Cristina Botella, &Karin Waldherr. Online interventions to prevent mental health problems implemented in school settings: the perspectives of key stakeholders in Austria and Spain.Eur J Public Health 2021;31(Suppl. 1):i71–i79.https://academic.oup.com/eurpub/issue/31/Supplement_1
- Irish Madeleine,Kuso Stefanie, Simek Monika, Zeiler Michael, Potterton Rachel, Musiat Peter, Martina Nitsch, Gudrun Wagner, Andreas Karwautz, Felix Bolinski, Eirini Karyotaki, Carla Soler Rovira, Ernestina Etchemendy, Rocio Herrero, Adriana Mira, Giulia Cormo, Rosa Baños, Azucena Garcia-Palacios, David D. Ebert, Marvin Franke, Anna-Carlotta Zarski, Kiona Weisel, Thomas Berger, Michelle Dey, Michael P. Schaub, Corinna Jacobi, Cristina Botella, Elia Oliver, Gemma Gordon, Lucy Spencer,Karin Waldherr, & Ulrike Schmidt. Online prevention programs for university students: stakeholder perspectives from six European countries.Eur J Public Health 2021;31(Suppl. 1):i64–i70.https://academic.oup.com/eurpub/issue/31/Supplement_1
- Schmidt-Hantke, Juliane; Vollert, Bianka; Hagner, Franziska; Beintner, Ina; Hütter, Kristian;Nitsch, Martina; Jacobi, Corinna; &Waldherr, Karin. Stakeholders’ perspectives on online interventions to improve mental health in patients with eating disorders and their caregivers in Germany. Eur J Public Health 2021; 31(Suppl. 1):i80–i87.https://academic.oup.com/eurpub/issue/31/Supplement_1
- Irish Madeleine, Zeiler Michael,Kuso Stefanie, Musiat Peter, Potterton Rachel, Wagner Gudrun, Karwautz Andreas,Waldherr Karin, & Schmidt Ulrike (2020). Students’ perceptions of an online mental health intervention: a qualitative interview study.Neuropsychiatrie(published online first December 28, 2020).https://doi.org/10.1007/s40211-020-00383-5
- Taylor C. Barr, Graham Andrea K., Flatt Rachel A.,Waldherr Karin,& Fitzsimmons-Craft, Ellen E. (2020) Current state of scientific evidence on Internet-based interventions for the treatment of depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and substance abuse: An overview of systematic reviews and meta-analyses. European Journal of Public Health,ckz208. (published online September 11, 2020).https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckz208
- Zeiler, Michael;Kuso, Stefanie; Nacke, Barbara; Klesges, Lisa M.; &Waldherr, Karin(2019). Evaluating reach, adoption, implementation, and maintenance of Internet-based interventions to prevent eating disorders in adolescents: a systematic review.European Journal of Public Health, ckz130,https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckz130(published online August 13, 2019)
- Nitsch, Martina; Adamcik, Tanja; Kuso, Stefanie;Zeiler, Michael; &Waldherr, Karin(2019). Usability and Engagement Evaluation of an Unguided Online Program for Promoting a Healthy Lifestyle and Reducing the Risk of Eating Disorders and Obesity in the School Setting.Nutrients, 11(4),713,https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11040713(published online March 27, 2019).
- Beecham, Jenny; Bonin, Eva-Maria; Görlich, Dennis; Baños, Rosa; Beintner, Ina; Buntrock, Claudia; Bolinski, Felix; Botella, Cristina; Ebert, David D.; Herrero, Rocio; Potterton, Rachel; Schmidt, Ulrike;Waldherr, Karin; Weisel, Kiona; Zarski, Anna-Carlotta; Zeiler, Michael; & Jacobi, Corinna (2019). Assessing the costs and cost-effectiveness of ICare internet-based interventions (protocol).Internet Interventions, 19, 12–19. doi: 10.1016/j.invent.2018.02.009 (available online February 27, 2018).
- Beintner, Ina; Görlich, Dennis; Berger, Thomas; Ebert, David D.; Zeiler, Michael; Herrero Camarano, Rocio;Waldherr, Karin;Jacobi, Corinna; & ICare Consortium (2019). Interrelations between participant and intervention characteristics, process variables, and outcomes in online interventions: A protocol for overarching analyses within and across seven trials in ICare.Internet Interventions, 16, 86–97. doi:10.1016/j.invent.2018.05.001(available online June 1, 2018).
- Jones Bell, Megan; Zeiler, Michael; Herrero, Rocio; Kuso, Stefanie; Nitsch, Martina;Etchemendy, Ernestina; Fonseca-Baeza, Sara; Oliver, Elia;Adamcik, Tanja;Karwautz, Andreas; Wagner, Gudrun; Baños, Rosa; Botella, Cristina; Görlich, Dennis; Jacobi, Corinna; &Waldherr, Karin(2019). Healthy Teens @ School: Evaluating and disseminating transdiagnostic preventive interventions for eating disorders and obesity among adolescents in school settings.Internet Interventions, 16, 69–75. doi: 10.1016/j.invent.2018.02.007 (available online February 27, 2018).
- Musiat Peter, Potterton Rachel, Gordon Gemma, Spencer Lucy, Zeiler Michael,Waldherr Karin,Kuso Stefanie, Nitsch Martina, Adamcik Tanja, Gudrun Wagner, Andreas Karwautz, David D. Ebert, Alyson Dodd, Barbara Dooley, Amy Harrison, Emma Whitt, Mark Haselgrove, Helen Sharpe, Jo Smith, Rosie Tressler, Nicholas Troop, Chantal Vinyard, Dennis Görlich, Jenny Beecham, Eva Bonin, Corinna Jacobi, & Ulrike Schmidt (2019). Web-based indicated prevention of common mental disorders in university students in four European countries – Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.Internet Interventions, 16, 35–42. doi: 10.1016/j.invent.2018.02.004 (available online March 15, 2018).
- Evaluation of the “Vienna School Fruit Program”
Client: WienerGesundheitsförderung GmbH – WiG
Objective: To evaluatethe Vienna School Fruit Program, which taught Viennese children about the importance of healthy and locally grown foods in order to foster a love of fruits and vegetables and shape their eating habits for the long term.
Period:September 2018–September 2019
Project Leaders at FERNFH:Karin Waldherr, Martina Nitsch
Collaborating Partners:Gesundheit Österreich GmbH,Medical University of Vienna, Institute for Outcomes Research
More information:Vienna School Fruit Program
- Evaluation of the “Generations in Motion” Project
Client: WienerGesundheitsförderung GmbH – WiG
Objective:To conduct a formative evaluation of the “Generations in Motion” project. Initiated by the Vienna Health Promotion Agency, the project focused on “intergenerationality”—an innovative approach that brings preschoolers and seniors together to engage in physical activity.
Period: September 2014–December 2016
Project Manager at FERNFH:Karin Waldherr
Collaborating Partners: MedicalUniversity of Vienna, Institute for Outcomes Research; FH Campus Wien, Health Assisting Engineering program
Further information: Graduation Brochure
Publications:
Erika Mosor,Karin Waldherr, Ingvild Kjeken, Maissa Omara, Valentin Ritschl, Veronika Pinter-Theiss, Josef Smolen, Ursula Hübel, & Tanja Stamm. (2019). An intergenerational program based on psychomotor activity promotes well-being and interaction between preschool children and older adults: results of a process and outcome evaluation study in Austria.BMC Public Health, 19:254.DOI:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-019-6572-0
Veronika Pinter-Theiss, Zak Thesi, Ursula Hübel, Erika Mosor, Tanja Stamm,Karin Waldherr (2017). Bringing Generations Together: Health Promotion Through Psychomotor Developmental Support for Young and Old. A Project Report.*motorik*, 40, 167–172. DOI: 10.2378/motorik2017.art270
Hübel, Ursula; Oehlinger, Martina; Pinter-Theiss, Veronika; Zak, Thesi;Waldherr, Karin; Mosor, Erika; Stamm, Tanja (2016). Moving Generations – Building bridges between children and older adults through psychomotor activities.European Journal of Public Health, 26, suppl. 1 (EUPHA 2016 abstract supplement). DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckw175.019. First published online: November 4, 2016.
- Compilation of data, facts, and evaluation results on the FGÖ’s project funding and capacity building since 1998, with a focus on 2015–2017
Client: FondsGesundes Österreich (FGÖ)
Objective: To markits 20th anniversary, the FGÖ wanted to take stock of its progress to date and commissioned a systematic compilation of data and facts on project funding and capacity building since 1998, with a focus on the years 2015 through 2017.
Period: March 2018–August 2018
Project Manager: KarinWaldherr
Project Team: JudithHofmarcher, Marion Mitter, Ursula Pfeiffer, Natalie Waldherr