Presse Releases 2020

A broad-based European consortium of renowned scientists call for resolutely working toward low COVID-19 case rates with clearly formulated common European goals, coordinated efforts and regionally adapted strategies. (Press release in German - for English version, see here).

On 7 October 2020, IHS director Martin Kocher, together with Christoph Badelt from the Austrian Institute of Economic Research (WIFO), presented principles of scientific integrity in commissioned research studies. The principles were developed and jointly adopted by the two institutes, with the involvement of the Austrian Agency for Scientific Integrity (ÖAWI). Nicole Föger, director of the ÖAWI, was also speaking at the presentation. The presentation took place in a digital media chat with representatives from Austrian media outlets.

The timely availability of indicators for assessing the current economic situation is essential for a foresighted, rapid and appropriate response by economic policymakers. IHS therefore launched an Economic High-Frequency Monitor to provide a rapidly available, high-frequency set of indicators to enable the timely analysis and assessment of the economic activity of the Austrian economy.

Austrian students spend an average of 440 € per month on housing - student housing subsidy is intended to counteract the rise in costs.

Open Science is the focus of attention at the Institute for Advanced Studies (IHS) this September. The exhibition Open UP! shows the interconnection of digitization and science. On September 15, the opening event will take place at the Institute, which will focus on the Open Science Strategy in Austria.

A recent article published in Science Magazine shows that while the EU promotes social and ethical values in research and innovation, such values are not well integrated in research policy or practice. Responsible research and innovation principles have been designed to enhance an inclusive and democratic approach to enabling research and innovation (R&I) to reflect values, needs and aspirations of society. The article co-authored by Erich Griessler and Robert Braun, IHS, suggests a lack of integration of ethics and public engagement in European research projects. As new disruptive technologies emerge, they are accompanied with persistent and growing societal concerns about their social and ethical impacts, failing to take the social and ethical values in research and innovation into consideration systematically may increase distrust in science and its advances.

“The stranglehold of the corona pandemic is beginning to loosen in the second half of the year. Recent declines in short-time work and (an albeit weak) reduction in unemployment figures show that the economy is slowly picking up speed again." explains Martin Kocher, Director of the Institute for Advanced Studies (IHS). Overview of the current figures: Over the whole of 2020, IHS expects economic output to decline by 7.25%. In the Euro Area, this decline is even more pronounced at 8.5%. The current climate of uncertainty is harming private consumption in the short to medium term. The Institute expects a decrease of 4.4% in 2020 compared to the previous year. An increase in the savings rate from 8.3% to 10.9% emphasizes this uncertainty.

The Covid-19 pandemic and the policies implemented to contain the spread of the virus have led to a global economic downturn. The Institute for Advanced Studies (IHS) forecasts a recession in Austria, where economic output will decline by at least 2% in 2020. This forecast is based on the assumption that the policies implemented to contain the spread of the virus will be lifted by mid-April. Therefore, these predictions of the economic downturn should be viewed with the understanding that they are dependent on the development of the pandemic and the accompanying economic, political and health policies.

The rise of China in the world economy and its growing importance as international investor raises concerns of policy makers in some countries. The US government raised tariffs on imports from China to tackle the large trade deficit of the US vis-à-vis China. Trade between the euro area and China is almost balanced, with a small deficit in trade with goods and a small surplus in the services balance of the euro area.Thus, European policy makers are well advice to advocate free market access, but reciprocity is important.