Sascha Gell, BA MA

International Research Funding Coordinator +43 512 2070 - 7423 sascha.gell@mci.edu

Sascha Gell studied Sociology and International Health & Social Management with a special interest in the phenomenon of non-take-up of social (services). This topic was taken up in cooperation with the Institute for Social Services (ifs) for a status analysis in the Vorarlberg area during his Master's thesis. Currently working at the Center for Social & Health Innovation as a project staff member, he accompanied research projects with public health (nutritional environments at schools, health literacy among children and adolescents, COVID19 Social Indicator Survey) and social policy topics (social space analysis and inclusion of people with disabilities).

Professional work experience

09/2019 - present
Project Assistant - Center for Social & Health Innovation
Project assistance in research activities, administrative activities, communication with external partners, participation in the preparation of project reports and publications, data management.

Education

11/2023 - present
PhD - University of Vienna
Health Communication
10/2022 - 11/2023
PhD - Katholieke Universiteit Leuven
Health Communication
09/2017 - 09/2019
MA - Management Center Innsbruck
International Health & Social Management
09/2016 - 12/2016
BA - University College Cork, Ireland
Sociology - ERASMUS+
10/2014 - 07/2017
BA - Leopold-Franzens University Innsbruck
Sociology

Practice related research and developmental project

03/2021 - present
Project Assistant - Center for Social & Health Innovation / unicum:mensch
Experiences of poverty and the working poor in Tyrol
04/2020 - 03/2021
Project Assistant - Center for Social & Health Innovation / Diakonisches Werk Rosenheim e.V.
Social space-oriented and inclusive participation of people with disabilities in the border region Bavaria - Tyrol
03/2020 - 06/2021
Project Assistant - Center for Social & Health Innovation
FoodExplorer: A citizen science project to improve school food environments
09/2019 - 04/2021
Project Assistant - Center for Social & Health Innovation / Österreichische Gesundheitskasse / Gesundheit Österreich GmbH
Health Literacy in Childhood
09/2019 - 04/2021
Project Assistant - Center for Social & Health Innovation / Österreichische Gesundheitskasse
Evaluation of the "Healthy School Tyrol" programme

Peer reviewed journal article

Gell, S., Dave, S., Willis, E., Vitale, E. J., Woloshin, S., & Heiss, R. (in press). Prescription drug promotion by social media influencers: A systematic scoping review. JAMA Network Open, 9(3), e262738. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2026.2738
Heiss, R., Woloshin, S., Dave, S., Engel, E., Gell, S., & Willis, E. (2025). Responding to public health challenges of medical advice from social media influencers. The BMJ, 391. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj-2025-086061
Engel, E., Gell, S., Karsay, K., Heiss, R. (2025). Engagement with Influencers as Sources of Health Information and Product Promotions: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Austrian Youth Aged 15–25. Journal of Adolescent Health. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2025.09.001
Heiss, R., Leuprecht, E., Zoller, C., Schütze, D., Sahling, F., Schamberger, L., Überall, M., Gell, S., & Griebler, R. (2025). Does school education enhance children’s health literacy? Zeitschrift für Bildungsforschung. https://doi.org/10.1007/s35834-025-00477-6
Engel, E., Gell, S., Heiss, R., & Karsay, K. (2023). Social media influencers and adolescents’ health: A scoping review of the research field. Social Science & Medicine. 116387. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2023.116387
Gell, S., Pejkovic, E., Heiss, R. (2023). How (Un-)Healthy are Austrian School Food Environments? Evidence from Focus Groups and Citizen Science. Appetite, 188. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2023.106636
Kerschbaumer, L., Gell, S., & Boost, M. (2023). Die Einbindung von Menschen mit Behinderungen in qualitative Sozialforschung. Qual.Met, 1(1), 1–20. https://doi.org/10.53205/qualmet.v1i1.9 (https://qualmet.org/journal/issue/view/1)
Kerschbaumer, L., Gell, S., Nesimovic, A. & Weinkogl, Ph. (2022). The inclusive, social space-oriented participation of people with disabilities in the Bavaria–Tyrol border region during the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Comparative Social Work 17(1). https://doi.org/10.31265/jcsw.v17.i1.391
Heiss, R., Gell, S., Röthlingshöfer, E., Zoller, C. (2021). How Threat Perceptions Relate to Learning and Conspiracy Beliefs About COVID-19: Evidence From a Panel Study. Personality and Individual Differences, 175. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2021.110672
Kerschbaumer, L., Gell, S., Nesimovic, A., Röthlingshofer, E., Heiss, R. and Zoller, C. (2020). Integrating child's health promotion in schools - local mechanisms and strategies. European Journal of Public Health, 30(Supplement_5). https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckaa165.1135

Editorial-reviewed journal

Kerschbaumer, L., Gell, S., & Reichmann, P. (46). Vulnerable Gruppen in der Krise. WISO-Wirtschafts- Und Sozialpolitische Zeitschrift, 2023(1), 116–130. https://www.zeitschriftwiso.at/ausgaben/alle-bisherigen-hefte/magazine-detail/12023

Chapters in books

Kerschbaumer, L., Gell, S., Reichmann, P. & Meindlhumer, M. (2022). Die sozialen Auswirkungen der Corona-Pandemie auf vulnerable Personengruppen. In A. Exenberger (Hrsg.), Armutsbetroffenheit in der Krise: Eine Studie des Tiroler Armutsforschungsforums 2020–22 (S. 65–146).
Kerschbaumer, L., Gell, S. & Reichmann, P. (2022). Kinderarmut und Schule in der Pandemie: Delphi Konzeption. In A. Exenberger (Hrsg.), Armutsbetroffenheit in der Krise: Eine Studie des Tiroler Armutsforschungsforums 2020–22 (S. 291–310).

Peer reviewed academic/professional meeting proceedings

Engel, E., Gell, S., Heiss, R., Karsay, K., & Schmidhofer, J. (2024). „Influencer-Monitor“ – Eine Citizen Science Studie mit Jugendlichen zu Gesundheitsinhalten in sozialen Medien [“Influencer-Monitor” – A Citizen Science Study with Adolescents on Health Content in Social Media]. transfer, 10, 212–216. https://doi.org/10.35468/

Presentation of a paper at a conference, workshop or seminar

Gell, S., Pillei, M., Messner, B., Senfter, T., Ebner, C., Gronauer, A., PAR-TY-CO (Particle Technology Cooperation): Development of an online platform for institutions dealing with particle based systems, Ecomondo, Rimini ITA, 2025.
Gell, S., Engel, E., Heiss, R., & Karsay, K. (2024, November). Uncovering Social Media Influencers’ Health Content: A Citizen Youth Science Study. Presentation at the DGPuK Health Communication Conference - Translating Health Communication Research into Policy and Action. Lucerne, Switzerland.
Gell, S., Heiss, R., & Karsay, K., (2024, November). Do Social Media Influencers’ Messages about Mental Issues Affect Young People’s Self-Labeling? An Experimental Study. Presentation at the DGPuK Health Communication Conference - Translating Health Communication Research into Policy and Action. Lucerne, Switzerland.
Engel, E., Gell, S., Heiss, R., & Karsay, K. (2024, November). Engaging with Social Media Influencers' Health Content: Insights from a Cross-Sectional Study with Austrian Youth. Presentation at the DGPuK Health Communication Conference - Insight to Impact: Translating Health Communication Research into Policy and Action. Lucerne, Switzerland.
Gell, S., Engel, E., Heiss, R., Karsay, K., & Schmidhofer, J. (2024, November). Marketing or health promotion? A citizen science study of social media influencers’ health content. Presentation at the 17th European Public Health Conference, November 13-15, Lisbon, Portugal.
Engel, E., Gell, S., Heiss, R., Karsay, K., & Schmidhofer, J. (2024, November). Influencers as a new source of health information: Insights from an Austrian youth survey . Presentation at the 17th European Public Health Conference, November 13-15, Lisbon, Portugal.
Gell, S., Engel, E., Heiss, R., & Karsay, K. (2024, October). Werbung oder Gesundheitsaufklärung? Eine Citizen Science Studie zu den Gesundheitsinhalten von Social Media Influencern. Presentation at the 27th ÖGPH Annual Conference, October 17-18, Innsbruck, Austria.
Gell, S. (2024, March). Mapping Food Environments with Citizen Science. Presentation at the Open Food Conference, March 11-13, Leuven.
Gell, S., Pejcovic, E., Heiss, R. (2023, November). How School Food Environments Influence Food Choices: Evidence from Citizen Science and Focus Groups. Presentation at the 16th European Public Health Conference, November 9-11, Dublin.
Gell, S., Engel, E., Heiss, R., Karsay, K. (2023, November). Challenges and Benefits of Social Media Influencers for Adolescent Health – A Scoping Review. Presentation at the 16th European Public Health Conference, November 9-11, Dublin.
Heiss, R., Bode, L., Bradshaw, S. R., MacCarthy, M., Porter, E., Engel E., & Gell, S. (2023). Countering Misinformation on Social Media: A Socio-Ecological Response Model. Presentation to the Information Technology, & Politics Division at the Annual Meeting of the American Political Science Association (APSA), August 31 – September 3, Los Angeles, USA.
Kerschbaumer, L., Reichmann, P. & Gell, S. (2023). Unlocking access: Overcoming barriers to social services. 29TH ANNUAL Foundation for international Studies of Social Security CONFERENCE, Sigtunahöjden, Sweden June 12th, 2023.
Engel, E., Gell, S., Heiss, R., & Karsay, K. (2023). Social Media Influencers and Adolescents’ Health: A Scoping Review. Presentation to the Health Communication Division at the 73rd annual conference of the International Communication Association (ICA), May 25-29, Toronto, Canada.
Gell, S., Engel, E., Heiss, R., Karsay, K. (2023). Social Media Influencers and Adolescents’ Health: A Scoping Review. Presentation at the Etmaal 2023, 25th Edition, February 25-26, Twente, Netherlands.
Kerschbaumer, L., Sascha, G. & Reichmann, P. (2022). Non-Take-Up in Tirol. Josefikreis Zwischentreffen (27.6.2022), Seehof AK Tirol
Reichmann, P., Kerschbaumer, L. & Gell, S. (2022). Working Poor – Prekäre Lebensrealitäten im Fokus. Tiroler Armutsforschungsforum in Kooperation mit der Universität Innsbruck und FH Gesundheit. FHG (09.06.2022).
Gell, S. & Kerschbaumer, L. (2022). Armutsdynamik in der Covid-19 Pandemie – Prekarisierung und Resilienz. IDEENREICHTUM Vor!-Konferenz für junge Armutsforscher*innen, 23-25 Mai, St. Virgil, Salzburg.
Kerschbaumer, L. & Gell, S. (2022). Sozialraumorientierte und inklusive Teilhabe von Menschen mit Behinderungen. FFH Open Access Repository. 15. Forschungsforum der österreichischen Fachhochschulen. http://ffhoarep.fh-ooe.at/handle/123456789/1528
Gell, S., Kerschbaumer, L. (2022, April). Case Study on the Inclusion of People with Disabilities in Research – Combining and Triangulating Face-to-face, Phone, and Digital Interviews with a Qualitative Online Survey. Methodological Innovations. BSA Virtual Annual Conference 2022: Building Equality and Justice Now, 20.-22. April 2022.
Kerschbaumer, L., Gell, S.(2022, April). Sozialraumorientierte & Inklusive Teilhabe von Menschen mit Behinderungen in der Grenzregion Bayern-Tirol. D2-Track2-Teil3: Cross-border Cooperations - Vorsprung durch grenzüberschreitende Forschung. 15. Forschungsforum der österreichischen Fachhochschulen, 20.- 21. April 2022, Villach, Kärnten.
Kerschbaumer, L., Gell, S., Reichmann, P. (2022, März). Armutsdynamiken und soziale Resilienz – Perspektiven aus Tirol. „Armut und Armutsgefährdung heute – ein Blick in unsere Region und die Auswirkungen der Covid 19 Pandemie“. Regionalmanagement KUUSK, Kufstein, Tirol.
Heiss, R., Gell, S., Röthlingshöfer, E., Zoller, C. (2021, July). How Threat Perceptions Relate to Learning and Conspiracy Beliefs About COVID-19: Evidence From a Panel Study. Personality and Individual Differences. Presentation at the (virtual) annual meeting of the International Society of Political Psychology (ISPP), July 11-13.
Gell, S., Kerschbaumer, L., Nesimovic, A. (2021, June). The inclusive, social space-oriented participation of people with disabilities in the Bavaria-Tyrol border region during the COVID-19 pandemic. 5th Transforming Care Conference - Time in Care: The Temporality of Care Policy and Practices, June 24. - 26., Venice, Italy.
Kerschbaumer, L., Gell, S., Nesimovic, A., Röthlingshofer, E., Heiss, R., Zoller, C. (2020, October). Integrating health promotion in schools - local mechanisms and strategies. Presentation at the (virtual) 16th World Congress on Public Health, October 12-16, Rome, Italy.
Gell, S. (March, 2020). Enabling and restricting factors for the utilization of social services. Vor!-Konferenz "Ideenreichtum", 12th Austrian Poverty Conference-Voices against poverty, Salzburg.
Gell, S., & Heiss, R. (2020, February). FoodExplorer - A Citizen Science Project to Improve School Food Environments. Invited presentation at the workshop "Health and Wellbeing: Addressing today's Global Paradox", Department of Sport Science, Leopold-Franzens University of Innsbruck, February 6, Innsbruck, Austria.

Other intellectual contributions

Keschbaumer, L.; Gell, S. (2023). Sozialraumorientierte & Inklusive Teilhabe von Menschen mit Behinderungen in Bildungseinrichtungen in der Grenzregion Bayern-Tirol. Multiplier Event Mob4All (Ulysseus – MCI). Inklusion & Hochschule, 26. April 2023, MCI Innsbruck, Tirol
Heiss, R., Kerschbaumer, L., Zoller, C., Gell, S., Walch, S., Röthlingshöfer, E., & Nesimovic, A. (2021). COVID-19 Social Indicator Survey (SUF edition, V1), AUSSDA Dataverse, https://doi.org/10.11587/F7CD4D