Work focus
Wolfgang´s focus areas include Social Innovation, Transformative Innovation Policy, and Innovation Ecosystems, with particular attention to how regional and place-based dynamics shape experimentation, scaling, and long-term institutional change. He also specialises in Societal Readiness, Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI), and mission-oriented approaches that strengthen legitimacy, inclusion, and accountability in research and innovation. Across these themes, he develops and applies frameworks and methods that translate evidence into actionable strategies, helping partners navigate complexity and deliver impacts in society.
Professional overview
- Since Jan 2026: Deputy Head of Department (Research Policy & Development) – operational support to R&D projects; internal coordination and knowledge-sharing; interface between thematic labs and clusters; cross-departmental proposal development and quality assurance; strategic trend monitoring and departmental profile
- Since Oct 2015: Project Coordinator and Senior Researcher – management and coordination across EU and international programmes (incl. FP7, Horizon 2020, Interreg, ESF, EuropeAid); design and implementation of action-oriented research frameworks; training, evaluation, and impact assessment activities.
- Since 2023: Coordination of ZSI´s Social Innovation Hub – strengthening scientific quality and supporting the operationalisation of state-of-the-art social innovation knowledge across projects.
Selected project portfolio (coordination / senior research): Social Innovation Mission Facility (Horizon Europe, 2025–2029); Crete Valley (Horizon Europe, 2024–2029); UrbEnPro (ACRP, 2023–2026); RIPEET (H2020, 2021–2024); CERUSI (Interreg Central Europe, 2020–2022).
Academic and additional experience
- PhD programme (ongoing since 2021): Utrecht University, Copernicus Institute for Sustainable Development — research on transformative governance, policy experimentation, and social innovation in multi-level transitions.
- MA International Development Studies; BA Political Science; BA International Development Studies: University of Vienna (incl. teaching assistant role, 2015–2016).
