Research Project | Precarious Participation in Socio-Ecological Transformation Processes

On Subjective Perspectives on Sustainable Change Against the Backdrop of Social Inequalities

The current eco-social crises require a fundamental transformation of prevailing lifestyles. Structural changes affect subjective experiences, but are themselves dependent on subjective changes: in this respect, structural and subjective transformations are intertwined. For transformation to succeed, a deeper understanding of this intertwining is needed, taking into account the socio-political conditions.

Because social justice is both a goal and a necessity, ecological and social crises must be considered and addressed together. This project therefore places particular emphasis on the significance of social inequality for participation in socio-ecological transformation processes.

Within the framework of socio-ecological transformation processes, the project addresses various areas and dimensions:

  • Fields of action: transformation of modes of mobility, transformation of urban and rural spaces (processes of redesign), transformation of dietary habits, etc.
  • Forms of affective positioning: advocates of transformation, activists, critics of transformation processes, climate change sceptics/deniers, etc.
  • Forms of privilege and precarity: inclusion of different socio-economic and education-related milieus, experiences of migration, etc.
  • Sphere of the ‘good life’: quality of life and wellbeing, mental/physical health, care and caring relations, reproduction, etc.

Project Team

Project lead:

  • Katharina Hametner (katharina.hametner@sfu.ac.at), Ivo Ponocny, Markus Wrbouschek, Emelie Rack, Monika Gritsch, Isabel von Hansemann (SFU Vienna)
  • Julia Riegler (Vienna University)

Student research assistants:

  • Theresa Athina Geyer

Method(s)

The project is being implemented in teaching on a project basis within the framework of qualitative methodology (at SFU Vienna and the University of Vienna). Specifically, the courses PS Qualitative Methods I & II (Psy BSc German and IPP) and UE Qualitative Methods I & II (Psy MSc German) are involved at SFU.

As part of the courses, students conduct narrative interviews, semi-structured interviews and group discussions with different groups of people about their subjective experiences of socio-ecological transformations in their living environments.

The qualitative data are analysed using the documentary method, reflexive thematic analysis and grounded theory.

Research Questions and Hypotheses
  1. How do different socio-economic milieus experience and live through socio-ecological transformation processes?
  2. What subjective constellations of success and failure in socio-ecological transformation processes can be identified?
  3. What role do subjective perspectives of a ‘good life’ play in this?

Project Duration

1 Sept. 2025 – 30 Sept. 2027

Sub-Projects (per academic year)

In each academic year, at least one specific focus is chosen within the broad field of socio-ecological transformations.

Focus for the 2025/26 academic year: ‘(Non-)Places: Subjective Experiences of Sustainable Urban Transformation’

In this sub-project, we work with students to investigate the subjective experience of urban planning redesign processes in urban space. We focus on urban areas that have been, are being or are to be made ‘climate-fit’ through sustainable urban planning. That is, we look at places that have been, are being or are to be redesigned with sustainability as the goal, at least at the planning level. We ask under what conditions, and for which groups of people, such redesigns succeed to a greater or lesser extent. Success is conceived here as a continuum. Depending on the conditions for success, new places of experience and everyday practice emerge (or places of experience and everyday practice may be lost).

Research questions:

  • What subjective perspectives do different groups of the urban population have on these changing places?
  • How do experiences of transformed or transforming places change, and what remains?
  • How do everyday practices change, and to what extent do they persist?
  • How do people deal with these changes, particularly on an affective level?

The students investigated the following urban areas:

  • Naschmarkt/Naschpark
  • Reumannplatz
  • Universitätsstraße
  • Museumsquartier goes Green
  • Kühle Zonen Neubau
  • Westbahnhof
  • WU Campus
  • AUVA-Neubau
  • Yppenplatz

Talks / Events / Publications

Wrbouschek, M. & students (2026, 19 March), Panel Discussion ‘Westbahnpark’, 15th district, Vienna

Hametner, K. &Wrbouschek, M. (2026, Mai) Not my place (anymore)! – Resisting place-making and the implicit normativity of urban life, Vortrag auf der 20th Conference of the International Society for Theoretical Psychology (ISTP), New York

Sustainability Dialogues III: Precarious Participation in Socio-Ecological Transformation Processes
Thursday, June 11, 2026, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

If you are interested in the research project, please contact katharina.hametner@sfu.ac.at

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