In our research, we investigate the occurrence, distribution and determinants of health and disease and the improvement of the health of different population groups in various settings. In accordance with socio-ecological approaches our work is based on a holistic understanding of health that distinguishes between factors at the level of individuals (e.g. individual lifestyle), social networks (e.g. family, friends), living and working conditions (e.g. education, workplace, housing conditions) and socio-economic, cultural and environmental conditions (i.e. macro level factors). We conduct research that is characterized by a broad range of methods and an interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary approach. We not only want to research about people, but above all with people to create a healthy future.

We are currently working on the following topics:

• Cross-sectional and longitudinal studies on the health of children, adolescents, emerging adults and school staff (i.e. teachers, school principals, and non-teaching school staff)
• Systematic research and analysis of evidence on the effectiveness of health promotion and prevention interventions in setting (especially schools), the relationship between implementation and effectiveness, and between health and education
• Development, implementation and evaluation of health promotion and prevention interventions for different population groups and in different settings (especially schools), using e.g. entertainment education strategies (e.g. gamification, serious games)
• Development and psychometric testing of instruments, e.g. for domain-specific health literacy or for monitoring school health promotion, as well as development and piloting of methods for digital-based participation