Welcome!

 

The Vienna Media Change and Innovation (VMCI) Lab, as part of the Department of Communication of the University of Vienna, deals with changes in the media environment due to the presence of digital technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) and their consequences on the individual, social relationships, and society as a whole.

The research focus of our group includes areas like media socialization, political engagement, bias and stereotypes, as well as digital media literacy with a particular focus on media use and effects across the life-span. Integrating theoretical perspectives from communication science, social and developmental psychology, sociology and political science, we study these pressing questions using quantitative, qualitative and computational methods. In doing so, we strive to generate knowledge that both advances the scholarly debate and is relevant for society and practice.

 News

30.06.2026
 

At the end of this month, Darian Harff will be leaving the VMCI Lab. Thank you, Darian!

23.06.2026
 

A new article by Alexandra Wölfle and Desirée Schmuck is now out in the International Journal of Human–Computer Interaction.

16.06.2026
 

A new paper by Alexandra Wölfle and Desirée Schmuck is now out in Computers in Human Behavior Reports.

15.06.2026
 

Christine Liebenwein joins the VMCI Lab once again, this time as a Prae Doc researcher.

28.05.2026
 

Together with other experts, Desiree Schmuck discussed the opportunities and risks of social media use among children and adolescents.

22.05.2026
 

A new article by Maximilian Klesl, Darian Harff and Desirée Schmuck is now out in Journalism and Media.