D.O.T. - DIE OFFENE TÜR (THE OPEN DOOR)

THE TEAM

DOT | Team
DOT | Beate Schrank

Beate Schrank

D.O.T. Co-Lead
Consultant Psychiatrist

About Me

My work closely combines clinical and research activities. I am a consultant psychiatrist and trained psychotherapist, with a clinical position the Department of Psychiatry at the University Clinic Tulln. My habilitation at the Medical University of Vienna was on psychological outcome parameters in people with psychosis. At the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience at King’s College London, I studied Mental Health Service Research and did my PhD on positive psychology interventions. Overall, my research focuses on the interface between psychology and (social) psychiatry, as well as on the development and evaluation of complex interventions.

My Role

Besides contributing my methodological expertise and knowledge on psychological interventions, I am managing the D.O.T. project on the local level.

DOT | João Dias

João Dias

D.O.T. Co-Lead
Computer Scientist

About Me

I am a computer scientist and Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Science and Technology at the University of Algarve, Portugal. My research focuses in combining the areas of Artificial Intelligence and Human-Computer Interaction to design and create Intelligent Interactive Systems – usually in the form of Serious Games or Intelligent Learning Environments – that can help address societal and educational issues.

My Role

Being the technical coordinator in the project, I contribute my knowledge of computer science, game design and software engineering to all digital elements of the D.O.T programme. I’m particularly focused on the design and development of a personalization mechanism (using machine learning techniques) that is able to best match peers according to their interests, relations, and social skills.

DOT | Kate Woodcock

Kate Woodcock

D.O.T. Co-Lead
Research Psychologist

About Me

I am a Senior Lecturer at the Centre for Applied Psychology in the School of Psychology at the University of Birmingham, UK. My research focuses on young people who face difficulties. It examines the many factors which come together to influence a young person’s thoughts, feelings and behaviours. We use this knowledge to develop and test intervention strategies that will benefit young people and their families.  

My Role

I contribute my knowledge of psychology and cognitive neuroscience to all elements of the D.O.T programme. Particularly important aspects of my role are linked to the design of our collaborative work with stakeholders, the incorporation of psychological theory into our interventions, and the design of the evaluations of our interventions.

DOT | Maria Mitic

Marija Mitic

D.O.T. Co-Lead
Medical Doctor

About Me

During and after my medical studies at the University of Nis in Serbia, I have worked in psychiatric clinical research and in the youth NGO sector. As a part of the LBI-HTA, I have gained experience in systematic evaluation of properties, effects and impacts of health technology. In my off-job training, I mainly focus on creative and bodily-oriented therapeutic approaches. Currently, I am in a Dance Movement Psychotherapy training programme and in an interdisciplinary PhD programme at the Medical University of Vienna.

My Role

I am supporting multiple aspects of the project, with a specific focus on development of the social wellbeing model, its translation into our intervention components and involvement of experts by experience in the research process.

DOT | Adam Bernard

Adam Barnard

D.O.T. Co-Lead
THEATRE DIRECTOR & PLAYWRIGHT

About Me

After studying at Cambridge University, my career has spanned several fields: directing for theatre (UK and internationally); playwriting (including nomination for 2016 Deutschen Kindertheaterpreis); newspaper journalism (The Times; The Guardian); audio drama and filmmaking. I was previously joint director of Company of Angels, a UK theatre company which specialised in pan-European projects for, with and about young people. In 2014 I received the Leverhulme Arts Scholarship.

My Role

My primary areas in the project are creative direction and artistic production, especially for our smartphone game / immersive theatre experience, LINA. I also give advice with respect to working in innovative ways with young people and schools, and on communicating the project to non-academic audiences.

DOT | Raphaela Kaisler

Raphaela Kaisler

Research Group and Relationship Manager LBG

About Me
My multidisciplinary background as a psychologist includes molecular biology and science communication. Before my focus shifted to project management in research organizations, I worked as a scientist in basic research in the field of cancer research, neuroscience and social psychology. Additional trainings in the psychosocial field, as well as my work with children and adolescents form the basis for my function as facilitator at the Ludwig Boltzmann Society.
My Role
As a Research Group and Relationship Manager, I facilitate between the Ludwig Boltzmann Society and support the research group in establishing a partner network and bridging science and society in research processes. The focus of this is to engage the public, experts-by-experience in the field of mental health and other key stakeholders in research activities.
DOT | Anna-Lena Mägde

Anna-Lena Mädge

Project
Management

About Me

As a social worker, I have extensive practical experience in psychosocial care and I`m a certified group trainer for social skills. My bachelor thesis addresses the voluntary commitment of the unemployed. My MSc is obtained in the study of interdisciplinary therapy in psychosocial care in Magdeburg. The MA thesis presents the framework data and motivational aspects of volunteering in Germany and Austria.

My Role

My responsibilities include the integration of the research project in various networks as well as public relations and the coordination of the administrative aspects.

DOT | Sylvia Dörfler

Sylvia Dörfler

Researcher LBG and deputy project management

About Me

As a psychologist with the focus on clinical and health psychology and a nutritionist, my research interests include the development of preventive measures and interventions to promote health and well-being. At the University of Vienna I conducted research on the topics of quality of life, emotion regulation and the influence of positive emotions on the subjective well-being of persons with ill health.

My Role

Within the research group, my areas of responsibility include contributing to systematic reviews and publications as well as the administrative aspects of the project.

DOT | Markus Böckle

Markus Böckle

Researcher Karl Landsteiner University

About Me

Currently, I am a psychotherapist in training with a focus on Integrative Therapy. My multidisciplinary background includes training as asystemic coach, cognitive biologist and philosopher.

My Role

In the project, I am involved in the development of O.P.E.N. – Online Peer Encouragement Network.

DOT | Tamara Rumpold

Tamara Diendorfer

Research associate
LBG

About Me

Following my degree in psychology at the University of Vienna, I gained experience as a research associate in several projects in oncology and psychiatry. My work at the Medical University of Vienna investigates the decision-making and communication of the decision-making process of oncology patients and doctors. In addition to my research activities, I am involved in the education of medical students.

My Role

My tasks in the D.O.T. project include qualitative and quantitative research assistance.

Diogo_Martins

Diogo Martins

Researcher
INESC-ID

About Me

Having majored in Games and IT Systems Technologies, I graduated in Information Systems and Computer Engineering from Instituto Superior Técnico, in Lisbon. My MSc thesis consisted on the development of the concept behind LINA and its technical implementation. Virtual and Augmented Reality, especially in the context of serious games and applications, are my main areas of interest.

My Role

My function within the team is technical consultant and developer of LINA. This includes the development of gameplay, the implementation and the exploration of technological boundaries.

Gloria Mittmann

Researcher
LBG

About Me
My focus as a psychologist is on neuroscience. In my last project, I studied the effects of videogames on different (neuro-) psychological concepts like empathy and prosocial behaviour. Further, I have gained experience in different social psychology projects such as the evaluation of inclusion classes. Being a passionate gamer myself, I combine expertise and practical relevance and aim to inspire children with both.
My Role
In the current project, I am responsible for the development of the roleplay-game that teaches interpersonal emotion regulation strategies to young people.
DOT | Michael Mühlegger

Michael Mühlegger

Researcher
LBG

About Me
My interest as a psychologist and software developer focuses on researching new technologies and their utilization. During my studies, I focused on psychological diagnostics and differential psychology. After my graduation, I gained experience as a developer of virtual reality applications and serious games.
My Role
My responsibilities are the work as a programmer and interface between psychology and IT.
DOT | Isabella Pollak

Isabella Pollak

Researcher
LBG

About Me
My master degree as psychologist is in Developmental Cognitive Science at the University of Edinburgh. For my master thesis, I developed a digital game for training metacognition of emotion regulation in 9 to 11 year-olds. My research interests are in educational psychology, specifically the development of training programmes and the usage of digital technology for educational purposes.
My Role
My responsibility is the development of our Social Wellbeing Engagement Package (SWEP) for school lessons and youth groups.
DOT | Justyna Rauch

Justyna Rauch

Researcher
LBG

About Me
My training focuses on information management and information technology, which I have extended through a diploma in psychology at the University of Vienna. My work experiences include research assistant in inter- / national and interdisciplinary research projects in the field of aging (e.g., technology acceptance, ambient assisted living). My personal interest in video games helps me to connect with the target group and to encourage social connectedness.
My Role
DOT | Sally Reynard

Sally Reynard

researcher University of Birmingham, UK

About Me

In 2015 I graduated from Aston University, UK, with an MSc in Cognitive Neuroscience. I have previously worked in electrophysiological research, occupational psychological health, neuro-rehabilitation and in-patient psychiatric rehabilitation settings.

My Role

My tasks encompass the scientific collaboration and development of a Serious Game for personal emotion regulation called BRAINZ.

Pedro_fin

Pedro Rodrigues

Researcher
INESC-ID

About Me

With a degree as  Computer Engineering graduate I majored in Intelligent Systems at the Instituto Superior Técnico in Lisbon, Portugal.My Master’s thesis consisted of using machine learning to assist teaching concepts of emotion regulation in a Serious Game.

My Role
Within the project, I am the technical assistant. My responsibilities include the development of the digital hub, as well as the development and implementation of one of the digital experiences, with the aim of that fostering emotion regulation and social skills.
DOT | Katharina Stiehl

Katharina Stiehl

Researcher
LBG

About Me
My focus as psychologist is on clinical and health psychology. At the institute for Clinical Psychology at the University of Vienna, I worked in a research group, which assessed the health care situation of people with Intellectual Disability (ID). As part of the EU-Life Long Learning Program (Leonardo da Vinci Program), I supported the development of a training program for caregivers. For the Austrian Platform for Interdisciplinary Age Issues (ÖPIA) I collected data on health, living conditions and support systems.
My Role
My role includes scientific data collection, analysis and interpretation, and the development of a digital interactive graphic novel.
DOT | Susanne Schmalwieser

Susanne Schmalwieser

Scientific Associate
LBG

About Me
Currently I´m studying German philology at the University of Vienna. As a student I became aware of the DOT project and initially worked as a volunteer. My circumstances, coming from a family of which one member has mental health issues, provide me with daily insights into the topic of mental illness and family. My work aims to lessen stigmatisation of mental illness and start an open exchange about the needs of relatives and those affected.
My Role
My areas of responsibility include mainly qualitative data analysis and participation in the development of the social connectedness model.
DOT | Ina Stacher

Ina Stacher

Researcher
LBG

About Me

As psychologist and sports coach for children, youths and adults, I´m focussed in the fields of research in psychology and sport. At the Institute of Developmental Psychology of the University of Vienna, I worked as a research assistant. My clinical-psychological experience gained at the AKH Vienna and a nursing home. As a psychological assistant, I supported autistic children and collaborated with special educational needs teachers at a nursery school.

My Role

My tasks in the project are the co-development workshops with school classes, the development of our Serious Game LINA and scientific data analyses. 

 

 

Lina Kröncke

STUDENT ASSISTANT LBG

About Me

I am currently completing my master’s degree in sociology at the University of Vienna and am also working as a research assistant on several projects at the Institute of Sociology that focus on children and their experiences with online hatred. This previous experience has already shown me how exciting and diverse working with children is and how important I think it is that children are actively involved in the research process.

My Role

I my work here I get to support DOT in its various research projects. This makes the work very diverse and ranges from testing our numerous games to working as a workshop leader in schools.

Vanessa Zehetner

STUDENT ASSISTANT LBG

About Me

I am studying psychology in the Master’s programme at the University of Vienna with a focus on clinical psychology and health psychology. As part of my Master’s thesis, I have been working with children as co-researchers on the development of a questionnaire that surveys video game satisfaction. In addition, I am involved in a pilot project as a counselling and support person for unemployed people.

My Role

My tasks include assisting in various research projects. As part of this, I am involved in the recruitment, preparation, follow-up and implementation of workshops at schools.

Beate Schrank

LEITERIN DER FORSCHUNGSGRUPPE

Rund um die Zeit des Schulwechsels kann soziale Verbundenheit leicht verloren gehen, es ist Anstrengung nötig, um sich in der neuen Klasse wieder gut sozial zu integrieren. Manchen Kindern fällt das leicht, andere werden zu Außenseitern oder sogar zur Zielscheibe von Mobbing. Dieses Projekt richtet sich an alle SchülerInnen der vierten bis sechsten Schulstufe mit dem Ziel, soziale Fertigkeiten, sozialen Zusammenhalt und damit das soziale Wohlbefinden von Kindern und Jugendlichen zu stärken.

Meine Rolle
Ich leite das D.O.T Projekt und bin dabei für die Supervision aller wissenschaftlichen Arbeiten verantwortlich.