Information

EducationProf.Thurner obtained a PhD in theoretical physics from the Technical University of Vienna and a PhD in economics from the University of Vienna. He held PostDoc positions at Humboldt University of Berlin and Boston University before joining the faculty of the University of Vienna and later Medical University.

Academic AppointmentsProf. Thurner is full professor for Science of Complex Systems at the Medical University of Vienna, where he chairs the Section for Science of Complex Systems. He is external professor at the Santa Fe Institute and President of the Complexity Science Hub Vienna.

Recognition & AwardsProf. Thurner’s work has been covered extensively by international media such as the New York Times, BBC world, Nature, New Scientist, Physics World, and is featured in more than 500 newspaper, radio and television reports. In 2018, he was elected as Austrian Scientist of the Year. In 2021, he received the Paul Watzlawick Ring of Honor.

Research Field

Prof. Thurner’s habilitation is in theoretical physics. He started his career with contributions to theoretical particle physics and gradually shifted his focus to the understanding of complex systems. He has published more than 250 scientific articles ranging from fundamental physics, applied mathematics, network theory, evolutionary dynamics, life sciences, economics and finance and lately in social sciences. He holds two patents.