Shaping change effectively – for more sustainability.

Eine lächelnde Frau mit kurzen, lockigen Haaren trägt eine gelbe Sweatshirt und schwarze Hosen, steht vor weißer Wand.

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I am convinced that a good life for all on this planet is possible. The knowledge to achieve this already exists—now we need to make this knowledge visible, consolidate it, and bring it into practice - together. This is exactly what I stand for with my social-ecological transformation research, event moderation, facilitation of participatory processes, and training and mentoring.

SUSTAINABILITY RESEARCHER

Diagramm mit vier Pfeilen, die auf einen Punkt in der Mitte zeigen, auf schwarzem Hintergrund.

Conducting transdisciplinary research — transformative at the interface of
science, policy, and society

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Das Bild ist ein Diagramm mit Concentric Circles und Linien, die Planeten und deren Umlaufbahn darstellen.

MODERATION

Guiding events competently
and appreciatively

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PROCESS Facilitation

Confidently and enthusiastically facilitating
and supporting co-creative processes

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TRAINER & MENTOR

Ein Koordinatensystem mit drei Vektoren, die vom Ursprung ausgehen, einer nach oben, einer nach links unten und einer nach rechts oben.

Sharing knowledge and long-standing experience regarding content and methods

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Building bridges –
from knowledge to action

Sustainability research

Das Bild zeigt einen schwarzen Hintergrund mit einem Quadrat in der Mitte und mehreren Pfeilen, die auf das Quadrat zeigen.

Over 25 years of experience in sustainability, climate, and transformation research — as a senior researcher and head of transdisciplinary projects (including Horizon Europe, ACRP Climate Fund, Joint Programming Initiative).

Drawing on this expertise, I am able to connect topics such as people from a holistic perspective. My strength lies in weaving together sound research with the experiences and ideas of people from the worlds of policy, civil society and business – and, working together, developing concrete steps that really make a difference. This work comes to life for me particularly in interdisciplinary and international teams.

I am currently working, amongst other things, on the topic of ‘Just Transition’ within the EU project AdJUST, and in the SCALE project, funded by the Climate and Energy Fund, we are developing recommendations for scaling climate niche initiatives.

My funding bodies include the European Commission (DG Research, from FP5 to Horizon Europe), the Climate and Energy Fund (ACRP, direct awards), the FFG and JPI Urban Europe.

Information on further projects and a list of publications can be found here.

Moderation

Diagramm mit konzentrischen Kreisen und einer Markierung auf einem schwarzen Hintergrund.

Opening up spaces for meaningful conversations — for a sustainable world. With this goal in mind, I design, moderate, and harvest (document the results) events ranging from compact workshops to conferences lasting several days.

My approach combines a diverse set of methods with the sensitivity to encourage people to step outside their usual patterns of thought without overwhelming them. Thorough preparation, crystal-clear facilitation and the courage to trust my intuition create the framework for encounters that inspire and provide new impulses.

Examples from this year include moderation of panel discussions focussing on alternative economic policies or the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive and the meeting of the Interdisciplinary Forum on Combating Energy Poverty.

My clients in this field are very diverse. To give you an idea, here are a few: Climate Change Centre Austria, Gesundheit Österreich GmbH – Centre of Excellence for Climate and Health, Coordination Office for Combating Energy Poverty, BMLUK, the City of Villach, Climate Alliance, the provinces of Carinthia and Vorarlberg, the Vienna University of Economics and Business (WU), the University of Art and Design Linz, and Villach University of Applied Sciences.

You can find further examples of my facilitation work here.

process Facilitation

Diagramm mit drei Pfeilen, die unterschiedliche Phasen oder Bewegungsrichtungen darstellen.

I accompany transformation processes from the initial idea to implementation on topics that shape our times: from the energy transition and climate policy to sustainable lifestyles and economic practices. These challenges are complex and often emotionally charged. That is why processes need to be accompanied in a structured, empathetic, and solution-oriented manner.

My approach is characterised by cooperation on an equal footing, inclusion and transparency. It is important to me to involve as many people as possible – from experts and decision-makers to civil society and members of the public. This is because the transformative power of diverse groups is enormous: it generates innovative and surprising solutions that would not be possible on their own. In doing so, I draw on my extensive network, which adds significant value to every collaboration.

Examples of processes I have had the privilege of facilitating include citizens’ assembiles such as the Austrian Climate Assembly, the Vorarlberg Citizens’ Assembly on Care Work, and the stakeholder process for drafting the 2nd Austrian National Assessment Report on Climate Change. Clients in this context include ministries (e.g. BMK), universities (e.g. BOKU), research institutes (e.g. IIASA), the CCCA, as well as local authorities and regions.

Training & Mentoring

Diagramm mit einem Mittelpunkt und acht Pfeilen, die in verschiedene Richtungen zeigen.

I consider learning from and with others to be a gift. As a sparring partner and trainer at universities and research institutions, I enjoy opening up learning spaces and sharing my knowledge: How can transdisciplinary research be successful? How do research results have an impact? How does successful stakeholder involvement work?

The practice of the Art of Hosting and Harvesting has been a part of my life for many years – both as a mindset and a repertoire of methods. Time and again, I am inspired by how it succeeds in unlocking potential. I have been able to pass on this experience through training sessions for organisations and groups, ranging from the Vienna University of Economics and Business (WU) to Lebensraum Ötztal, and I am delighted to continue offering this.

I am particularly passionate about young people who are committed to a future worth living. As a mentor, I support them in finding their own fulfilling path – for themselves and for future generations.

A new project is currently taking shape: Flourishing Society (an organisation that aims to highlight the many opportunities for a fulfilling life that exist and make them accessible).

For me, Ines Omann is a "high-level process facilitator" and I can highly recommend working with her. If I had to describe her in just a few words, I would say that Ines is "sparkling energy" for the cooperative and co-creative future that we need as a society.

Mag. Barbara Ruhsmann (ÖGUT, Vienna)
Working with Ines is characterized by appreciation, competence, reliability, and professionalism. Among other things, I value her in-depth methodological knowledge and many years of experience. She always contributes her extensive expertise in the areas of sustainability, energy transition, and climate change.

Dr. Maria Balas (Climate change adaptation expert)
Ines was responsible for the overall coordination of the Austrian Climate Assembly on behalf of the BMK. Her systematic and clearly structured approach to planning and her lively, committed, and above all goal-oriented moderation made her an invaluable asset. In Austria, there are few experts as experienced as Ines, when it comes to supporting and moderating sustainability processes.

Franz Zlanabitnig MA BA (Co-coordinator of the Carinthia State Climate Advisory Council)
Our workshop brought together stakeholders from academia, practice, and institutional contexts to jointly address key issues in a research project. Ines took on the role of moderator and provided continuous process support. She works in a precise and structured manner and coordinates the necessary steps reliably and transparently. She responds to unexpected requirements in a prudent and solution-oriented manner, which made for a focused and pleasant collaboration.

Univ. Prof. Jutta Strohmeier (Linz University of Art)
Working with you is characterized by great reliability, trust and valuable professional input, allowing me to concentrate fully on my content and rely on your competent, efficient, and reliable process support at all times. From the very beginning, we engage in a dialogue on equal terms, developing ideas together and structuring processes in a meaningful way. I really appreciate how efficiently you work without losing any openness or creativity.

Mag. Claudia Michl (Head of the CCCA Secretariat)
For almost 20 years I have collaborated with Ines. During that time, we have designed and run a multitude of diverse stakeholder engagement processes, which gave me the unique opportunity to learn new approaches from her. I particularly appreciate her attention to detail in the preparation phase and the care that she takes to ensure that the process is inclusive, truly interactive and achieves the predetermined goals. I would recommend Ines to anyone who wants a stakeholder engagement process that is prepared and run with care, enjoyable for all involved and provides meaningful results.

Dr. Jill Jäger (Climate Scientist)

Consolidating insights, creating solutions.
With knowledge, heart, and method.

It is very important to me to contribute to the change I want to see in this world. A change that allows everyone to live a dignified, good life within the planetary boundaries. Whether in workshops, conferences, longer processes, or research projects — with expertise, reliability, clarity, and vitality.

Lächelnde Frau mit Kurzhaarfrisur, Brille, rotem Lippenstift und weißem Oberteil, steht vor weißer Wand neben Laptop.

Breaking new ground has been a recurring theme throughout my life. At the age of ten, I decided to go to the Gymnasium (high school) — one of the first from my village in Carinthia to do so. After graduating, I couldn't find a degree program that suited my interests, so I co-founded Environmental Systems Science in Graz and was the first to graduate with a major in economics in 1997. This was followed by a semester abroad in Lund, Sweden, just as Austria and Sweden joined the EU. In 2004, I was one of the first in Austria to earn a doctorate in ecological economics after studying in Leeds and Graz.

From 1998 to 2013, I worked as a research assistant at research institutes in Austria and Germany, as well as a university assistant in Graz. In the early 2000s, I co-founded the Sustainable Europe Research Institute with colleagues – another pioneering project – and, as group leader, played a key role in shaping its development until 2013.

Since 2014, I have been working as an independent researcher and moderator and work part-time at the Austrian Research Foundation for International Development (ÖFSE) on European and national projects as a senior researcher.

For more than 15 years, I have been facilitating and supporting events and processes centred on transformation and sustainability. My training in methods such as the Art of Hosting, dialogue, The Circle Way, Non-Violent Communication and Dynamic Facilitation forms the basis for this.

I find it easy to connect with people and bring them together – no doubt thanks to the large family I was born into, my curiosity, and the many wonderful people who enrich my life. I recharge my batteries in nature through sport (ski mountaneering, hiking, kitesurfing) as well as in peace and quiet through yoga, reading and meditation.