Burgenland high school graduates honoured

Eisenstadt, 26 June 2025 - The Pannonia Research Award 2025 for young researchers in Burgenland is strongly in the hands of women and at a high scientific level. For seven years now, the University of Applied Sciences Burgenland has been awarding this prize to high school graduates from schools in Burgenland who submitted their project, diploma, theses or final papers (formerly pre-scientific papers) graded "very good". Eight students from a total of four schools stood out among the 18 entries submitted. The topicality of the topics and their academic treatment was impressive.

Focus on domestic violence

The students Johanna Leeb (from Eisenstadt), Johanna Presich (from Oslip), Elisa Strodl(from Marz) and Annika Tiwald (from Stotzing) from the HLW Theresianum, Eisenstadt, focussed on an urgent topic, namely the factors influencing domestic violence on women and children. They were supervised by their teachers Ulrike Filka and Jasmin Schachtner. Prize money of €150 went to each student. The aim of the work was to create a comprehensive understanding of the problem through various thematic focuses, to highlight the consequences for those affected and to point out possible prevention and support measures. The pupils also learnt more about the Fühl-dich-wohl-WG Marz and were able to get involved with a fundraising campaign, among other things. Reviewer Sabrina Luimpöck, lecturer at the Burgenland University of Applied Sciences and reviewer of this work, was impressed by the pupils' performance.

Nutrition: sustainable, climate-friendly and healthy

The second prize in the Health & Social Affairs category went to Lena Pichlhöfer (from Dechantskirchen) and Marie Unger (from Lockenhaus) from HLW Oberwart. They worked on today's challenges in nutrition: "sustainable, climate-friendly and healthy". They were supervised by teacher Sibylle Rudolf. These two also received €150 each. In their final project, they asked themselves, among other things, how sustainable nutrition can be organised in the future. They addressed the concept of the Planetary Health Diet and the "Plate of the Future". Reviewer Barbara Szabo, lecturer in the Department of Health & Social Affairs at Burgenland University of Applied Sciences, praised the high level of topicality and the scientific approach of the two students.

Manipulation in advertising

In the field of economics, the prize went to the final paper on "Manipulative advertising strategies and their effects on consumer behaviour" by Charlotte Leitenstorfer (from Parndorf) from Neusiedl Grammar School. Her work was supervised by Cornelia Pokorny. The aim of the work was to analyse and critically reflect on the psychological background to the purchasing process and the manipulative strategies used in advertising. According to Bettina König, a marketing lecturer and assessor from the Burgenland University of Applied Sciences, the student succeeded in doing this successfully. Charlotte Leitenstorfer was awarded € 300 in prize money for her work.

Special prize awarded

The Youth Research Prize was open to entries that could be categorised under one of the four departments at Burgenland University of Applied Sciences, namely Health & Social Affairs, Energy & Environment, Information Technology and Business. A special prize of € 100 was awarded in the "Other" category. It was won by Fiona Halper (from Oberdorf) from the bilingual Bundesgymnasium Oberwart. She wrote her work on the subject of "The tuba: a synthesis of breathing and music", supervised by Márton Ilyés and assessed by Burgenland music teacher, composer and choir director Thomas Landl. In her research, the student focussed on optimal breathing and articulation techniques for tuba players.

The award ceremony took place on 25 June 2025 at the Eisenstadt campus of Burgenland University of Applied Sciences in the presence of the teachers and families of the award winners.

Information on the degree programmes at Burgenland University of Applied Sciences can be found at www.hochschule-burgenland.at. It is still possible to register for a remaining place on some degree programmes!

Enquiry notes:

Mag.a Christiane Staab │ Marketing and Communication │ University of Applied Sciences Burgenland GmbH │ Tel: +43 (0)5 7705 3537 │ E-Mail: christiane.staab(at)hochschule-burgenland.at