Research
We divide the research of our Working Group Knowledge Systems and Innovation (AGWI) in two thematic areas: i) Local and traditional knowledge systems, and ii) innovation processes.
In both thematic areas, we examine certified and non-certified (“organic by default”) organic farming systems in a multitude of socio-ecological contexts, spanning from rural to urban and from Austria to other European and non-European countries.
Local and traditional knowledge systems
In our research, we are interested in the holders of knowledge in local and traditional knowledge systems and in knowledge itself, its development and transmission. We put our focus on ethnobotanical research – hence the interactions between humans and plants –, whereas we also contribute to research in other ethnosciences and local and traditional knowledge systems in larger contexts.
Selected projects
Ethnobotany:
- Fibre and dye plants: Asian Blues, Hallstatt-Textiles, Wiener Blau
- Homegarden research: Homegrown
- Seed diversity: PuKuVi, BioColAlp
- Wild plant gathering: UrbanWildFoods, BioWildsammlung, Biocultural Diversity Monitoring, Dadobat
Ethnoclimatologie and -meteorology: LICCI
Ethnopedology: Boden:Kultur
Ethnoveterinary medicine: Ethnovet
Local and traditional knowledge systems: Oxapampa, Combioserve, Dynamics of local knowledge, Ways of knowing
Selected publications
Ethnobotany
- Fibre and dye plants: (Hartl et al., 2015; Li et al., 2022; Vogl, Mölleken, et al., 2004; Vogl & Hartl, 2003)
- Homegarden research: (Neulinger et al., 2013; Vogl-Lukasser et al., 2010; Vogl-Lukasser & Vogl, 2018)
- Wild plant gathering: (Daum et al., 2022; Papageorgiou et al., 2020; Schunko et al., 2022; Schunko & Vogl, 2020)
Ethnoclimatology and -meteorology: (Reyes-García et al., 2024a; Reyes-García et al., 2024b; Reyes-García et al., 2024c; Ogalleh et al., 2012)
Ethnoecology: (Hollaus et al., 2022a, 2022b)
Ethnopedology: (Wahlhütter et al., 2016)
Ethnoveterinary medicine: (Mayer et al., 2014; Stucki et al., 2019)
Methodological research: (Caruso et al., 2016; Grasser et al., 2016; Vogl et al., 2004)
Local and traditional knowledge systems: (Molnár et al. 2023, Haselmair et al., 2014)
Innovation processes
We investigate innovation processes in organic farming and their significance for smallholder farms and rural development. We put our focus on innovations and experiments, which are initiated by farmers themselves, and innovations in the organic control and certification system.
Selected projects
Control and certification system: Participatory guarantee systems
Educational innovations: McKioto
Farmers’ innovations: Organic Farmers‘ Experiments
Selected publications
Control and certification system: (Hruschka et al., 2022; Kaufmann et al., 2023; Leitner & Vogl, 2020; López Cifuentes et al., 2018)
Farmers' innovations: (Kummer et al., 2012; Leitgeb et al., 2014, 2016; Vogl et al., 2015)