Sociology is a field of study that I am extremely passionate about. I received my Masters in Sociology and Social Policy from the University of Sydney (Australia) while I was working as a research assistant at the Department of Sociology and Social Policy. Since then, I have been involved in various projects and had the opportunity to build strong skills and knowledge in both, qualitative and quantitative disciplines. After moving back to Austria, I started as a PhD candidate at the University of Graz to continue my studies and to further concentrate on my research interests. On this site, you find some of the projects and publications I’ve worked on –- if you are interested in a full expertise of experience, please contact me.

On the following pages you also find information about my primarily research interests, including a list of publications and a general overview of my qualifications and experiences. Besides my academic activities, my interest and involvement in the field of sociological and economic questions is an essential part my everyday life.

Don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions about me or my work – you can either use the contact form or send me an e-mail.

My name is Philipp Babcicky, I was born and raised in Graz -  a small but charming town in the southern part of Austria. After moving to Australia, I received my Masters in Sociology and Social Policy from the University of Sydney where I had the opportunity to work as a research assistant, to gain experience in teaching and tutoring and to work on my first publications. Subsequently, I moved back to Austria to continue my studies as a PhD candidate at the University of Graz.

My research interests focus on comparative Sociology and include issues such as social inequality, environmental degradation, lifestyles and social policies. I’m particularly interested in the relationship between post-modern consumption patterns and environmental outcomes. A relationship that will be crucial to our future, since production and consumption patterns in the developed and developing world are inevitably converging – which will eventually lead to an increase in social, economic and environmental pressures. Examining these relationships will help us to make sense of the mechanism behind production, consumption and the environment as a common good. Which changes in production are necessary? How can society be based on a sustainable consumption? How do individuals need to adapt their lifestyles and habits? Which role do common goods actually play in a post-modern society and to which extent is our quality of life affected by a limited availability of natural resources? How does the gradual shift to a post-materialist society affect the scarcity of resources and which effects can we observe?

How do we conceive the social world? Sociology tries to answer this question and bears an enormous potential to understand social inequality, patterns of behaviour, forces for social change and the working of social systems as a whole.

Why Sociology?

We are mistaken, if we assume that our experiences are a full and true reflection of our overall society. I believe that only a systematic approach coupled with the utilisation of a “sociological lens” can help us to make sense of society as a whole. The exploration of hidden, regular patterns of the social life is probably the most exciting and challenging aspect in the field of Sociology. The relevance of these patterns for policy making and for a better understanding of the overall human behaviour is out of question. If we are to tackle challenges such as social stratification and inequality, the ongoing and increasing exploitation of our environment and the consequences of global change, the contribution of the social sciences is essential and indispensable.

Personal

When I’m not busy with sociology, I devote time to my other major life passions: friends, travelling, reading, sports and the arts. In my spare time, I love playing volleyball and basketball as well as mountain-biking, surfing and climbing. My other passions are listening to music and playing instruments (drums and guitar), taking photos and spend as much time as possible with my friends and family.