TU Wien is further developing its research profile, opens an external URL in a new window: the research structure, which has evolved over many years, is giving rise to six overarching themes, known as Knowledge Spheres. These bring together the university’s expertise in fields that are particularly relevant to tackling key societal challenges – from resilient infrastructure and sustainable energy systems to quantum technologies and digital transformation. The Knowledge Spheres embody the mission “Technology for People” and underline TU Wien’s commitment to combining scientific excellence with societal relevance.

Why a new competence landscape?

Research is characterised by dynamics, diversity and impressive achievements. What makes these achievements particularly noteworthy is not only the depth of individual disciplines, but above all the strength of collaboration across disciplinary boundaries, as well as the combination with innovation and teaching. It is precisely this inter- and transdisciplinary networking that the Knowledge Spheres aim to highlight more strongly.

The new structure replaces the research matrix, which has been in place for almost twenty years, with a dynamic, interconnected representation of research and teaching activities. It illustrates how different disciplines interact to address complex questions – and highlights the contribution TU Wien.

How did the Knowledge Spheres come about?

The development of the Knowledge Spheres is based on a data-driven, AI-supported analysis of expertise at TU Wien. Data spanning several years on research projects, publications, qualifications and teaching activities were analysed to identify existing connections and uncover new potential.

This new structure emerged through close collaboration between researchers and the administration (the Data Science and Knowledge Graph Lab research teams, the units Research Coordination and Research Information Systems, and Campus IT). The process was supported by feedback loops involving researchers and the Rector’s Office.

Six thematic areas of societal relevance

Each of the six Knowledge Spheres combines an overarching mission-oriented theme area with objectives of societal relevance:

• Bioengineering and Medical Technologies for One Health – Biotechnology and medical technology for the health of humans, animals and the environment
• Data and Intelligent Systems for Digital Transformation – Intelligent systems and data analysis for the digital future
• Future Energy and Advanced Manufacturing for Industrial Leadership – Sustainable energy and production systems for a competitive industry
• Quantum and Nano Systems for Deep Tech Leadership – Quantum and nanotechnologies as drivers of future innovation
• Safety and Security for Resilient Societies – Safe infrastructures and resilient societies
• Urban Systems Design for Sustainable Transformation – Sustainable urban development through integrated planning and technology

Each Knowledge Sphere comprises several interdisciplinary clusters of expertise (Fields of Competences) as well as thematically focused research areas (Nodes of Expertise). Six cross-cutting themes – AI, Materials, Modelling, Sensing, Sustainability, and Formal Methods – connect all spheres as cross-cutting strands.

A dynamic process

The definition of the Knowledge Spheres marks an important milestone – yet the process continues. The new competence landscape is being gradually refined and further developed in collaboration with researchers. The aim is to sharpen the focus on these themes even further and to build interdisciplinary communities that will collaborate in the long term.

The Knowledge Spheres are intended not only to highlight existing strengths but also to create space for new developments. Of particular importance here is the identification of so-called ‘emerging fields’ – upcoming research topics with great future potential.

What does this mean for TU Wien?

The restructuring of the competence landscape supports the objectives of TU Wien defined in the fuTUre fit strategy process, opens an external URL in a new window: it enhances the university’s scientific visibility, promotes collaboration across disciplinary boundaries and helps to communicate research findings more effectively to the outside world. For partners from industry, public administration and society, this makes it even clearer where TU Wien’s strengths lie and what solutions it is developing to address societal challenges.

In future, the Knowledge Spheres will be integrated into TU Wien’s systems and will form the basis for the university’s further development of its profile.