Topics for Theses

Bachelor's degree, master's degree or dissertation:

• Predicting transitions in dynamic systems with Early Warning Signals
• Empirical, theoretical and model-based analysis of equilibria/resilience/transitions in dynamic systems
• Empirical, theoretical and model-based analysis of complex systems (e.g. cooperation, collaboration, trade, production, predator-prey, pollination, etc.)
• Empirical and model-based analysis of diffusion in networks (e.g. diffusion of ecological relevant innovation, rumors, viruses …)
• In general: model-based investigations – in case of non-systems-scientific research field, with co-supervision
• Applied analyses with machine learning or text mining methods - in case of non-systems-scientific research field, with co-supervision
• Social, economic or ecological dynamics of labor and labor markets (digitalization, crowd-working, future of work and income …)

Bachelor's or Master's degree:

• Agent Based Modelling
• Machine Learning
• Complex Networks
• Sustainable Mobility

• No topics at the moment

Master's degree:

• From traditional Wood to Bioeconomy: Identification of clusters by means of social network analysis (in Kooperation mit dem Holzcluster Steiermark)
• Cascading use of wood: Comparing business models of European companies
• Elasticity based allocation of costs and environmental impacts in multi-product processes

Bachelor's degree:

Ecological evaluation of the production of wood-based components for the automotive industry
This thesis is linked to an ongoing research project (https://www.carpentier.at/).
Research questions:

• How can a process for manufacturing wood-based components in the automotive industry be described?
• What environmental impacts are caused by the manufacturing of wood-based components?
• What factors influence these environmental impacts?

Master's degree:

• Social Risks/Inequalities in the Wood Processing Industries in Austria

• Wood utilization in the automotive industry - A sustainability assessment on a macro level. Potential research question: Which environmental and socioeconomic consequences can be expected from a broad utilization of wood in the European automotive sector?

and

Process evaluation and optimization of wood-based products for automotive applications from a sustainability perspective
This thesis is linked to an ongoing research project (https://www.carpentier.at/).
Research questions

• How can manufacturing processes of wood-based products for automotive applications be designed
• What are potential negative sustainability impacts of manufacturing wood-based products for automotive applications?
• Which factors/parameters influence the sustainability impacts of manufacturing wood-based products?
• How can manufacturing processes of wood-based products for automotive applications be optimized with respect to sustainability impacts?

Master's degree:

• In the area of sustainability and digitalization in the KMU-sector

Bachelor's degree:

Energy transition: Possible research questions:

• How do individuals evaluate different scenarios of a decarbonized energy system? What knowledge is prevalent? What misconceptions?
• Smart energy technologies allow – together with other technologies, such as photovoltaic power plants, electric vehicles – to explore new possibilities to redesign a sustainable energy system.
  • How does the adoption process of different technologies (smart energy technologies, photovoltaic power plants, electric vehicles, etc.) look like amongst private households? Are there specific technologies, which have an “enabling potential”, i.e., foster the adoption of other technologies for a sustainable energy transition?
  • Do drivers and barriers for adopting different smart energy technologies vary, depending on the technology in question?

Low-carbon transport: Possible research questions:

• How do individuals evaluate different scenarios of low-carbon transport options? What knowledge is prevalent? What misconceptions?
• Does specific context information of a transport policies (e.g., providing more or less detailed information about consequences of transport measures) foster or hinder the support of these policy measures for low-carbon transport?

Master's degree:

• Topics related to his courses “Environmental Decision Making” and “Human Factors in Transitions”, but also
• Acceptance of ambitious climate policies in specific target groups (e.g. farmers, workers in carbon-intense industries, …)
• Discourse analyses related to sustainability and climate change in Austria

If you are interested, you can find more information at https://homepage.uni-graz.at/de/thomas.brudermann/thomas.brudermann-teaching-and-thesis-supervision/ .