Innovation in the COVID-19 Crisis

22.06.2020

WIFO Deputy Director Ulrike Famira-Mühlberger at "innovation.network.talk"

On 18 June 2020, high-ranking decision-makers and experts such as Climate Protection Minister Leonore Gewessler, Economics Minister Margarete Schramböck, the Rector of the Vienna University of Technology Sabine Seidler and the Deputy Director of WIFO Ulrike Famira-Mühlberger discussed the effects of COVID-19 on the world of work, innovation activity, the economy and education.

WIFO economist Famira-Mühlberger talked about the economic consequences of the COVID-19 crisis: "The latest WIFO-Konjunkturtest reveals massive problems for investment activities. This is a vicious circle because investment activities drive innovation, improve productivity and ultimately have a significant impact on economic growth. Many, especially larger companies, have postponed or cancelled investment projects."

In the panel discussions, the experts agreed that in order to cope with the current and future crises, investments in research and development, especially in basic research, Health In All Policies, flexibility and digitisation are needed. In the education sector, there was a need for stronger links between professional competence and 21st century skills.

As a result of the COVID-19 crisis, the third "innovation.network.talk" took place for the first time digitally via livestream in cooperation with Brutkasten and 4Gamechangers. It is the finale of the third cycle of the "innovation.talks" discussion series, in which high-ranking women from business, science and politics exchange views on innovative topics. The Female-Only format was jointly launched in 2017 by the pharmaceutical company Sanofi and the former Minister of Health and Women's Affairs and now President of Club alpha, Maria Rauch-Kallat.

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Priv.-Doz. Dr. Ulrike Famira-Mühlberger, PhD

Function: Senior Economist
Research groups: Labour Economics, Income and Social Security
Daniela Haluza, Patricia Neumann, Wolfgang Kaps, Doris Schmidauer, Corinna Milborn, Bettina Resl, Maria Rauch-Kallat, Janice Goodenough, Ulrike Famira-Mühlberger, Iris Rauskala and Michaela Fritz (from left to right) © Peter Lechner
Daniela Haluza, Patricia Neumann, Wolfgang Kaps, Doris Schmidauer, Corinna Milborn, Bettina Resl, Maria Rauch-Kallat, Janice Goodenough, Ulrike Famira-Mühlberger, Iris Rauskala and Michaela Fritz (from left to right) © Peter Lechner