Department of Social Work Interviews Moritz Reisberger

Focus on Social Work: An interview with Moritz Reisberger about his studies, inspiration, and his work at MCI

Moritz Reisberger has been a research associate at the Department of Social Work at MCI | The Entrepreneurial School® since 2020.

In an interview on the theme "Social Work and You", he answers a number of intriguing questions from the Department of Social Work and invites you to get to know him and his perspective on social work more closely.

Social Work and you – how did you start?

Looking back, I have to say that I have (warning: cliché) “always been” interested in social issues. I spent a large part of my youth volunteering at a self-managed youth center. Sociopolitical issues, critical thinking, thinking a lot in general, doubting and being on a “search” for big answers... but also living, partying, learning, organizing... It was a great time that still shapes me today and during which I learned a lot personally. At first, I wanted to satisfy this curiosity by studying sociology. During my undergraduate studies, however, I realized that I found it more meaningful to link social science knowledge more directly to potential Social Work practice. This aspect has somehow stayed with me, and I have been preoccupied with the interactions between theory and practice in Social Work ever since. For this reason, I am continuing to pursue my interests in the areas and focus areas of Social Work.

You studied at MCI yourself. What was the highlight of your studies?

That was definitely the courses taught by luminaries such as Silvia Staub-Bernasconi, Werner Obrecht, and Kaspar Geiser. During my undergraduate studies, I repeatedly clashed with a sociology professor who was a strong proponent of Luhmann's systems theory. I never really got into this theory, but at the same time, Luhmann is pretty prominent in the social sciences. Using the conceptual coordinate system of the Zurich School and the systems theory paradigm of Social Work, I found a metatheory that was more “suitable” for me as an alternative and am now prepared for any discussion on systems theories. For me, a central, essential difference between the two theories is that Staub-Bernasconi et al. focus on people and their rights and needs, and not just on their “communication.”

What advice would you give students to help them succeed in their studies?

Phew, that's a difficult question: Perhaps... Accept the challenges that arise. In my courses, I like to use the metaphor of a “gym for the mind.” Developing fitness always requires periods of effort, but also periods of regeneration and breaks. But that might be too “trite.” Perhaps something more general... Be critical, but at the same time open to new and different, perhaps even divergent opinions: read, reread, stay curious, think for yourself, think together with others, and question intelligently. But in the midst of all this, take a deep breath, let your thoughts develop freely, and look beyond your own horizons. Many things only become clearer with the passage of time, and some things always remain open—but that's a good thing... and don't forget to take breaks.

Who or what inspires you and why?

That's a lot of people, regardless of whether they're famous or not. I think they're generally people who are authentic and don't pretend to be something they're not. People who are open, convey that openness, and still represent clear values. People who take a clear stand and advocate for social change. People who do their own thing and are creative. People who inspire others. People who help other people. People who try to work on themselves and question themselves. People who fight and have fought for human rights. People who don't take themselves too seriously and who think about things in context and are not satisfied with “simple” answers. But also people who just “do” and try things out.

What made you decide to teach and work at the MCI?

During my studies, I realized how much I enjoy research and scientific debate. For my master's degree, I took on a relatively large project. At some point, I became completely overwhelmed by the whole situation and, as a result, changed my supervisor. This brought my attention to a vacancy in a research project at the Center for Social & Health Innovation (CSHI) at MCI. With a bit of luck, I got the job, and since then I have been convinced that I want to make a small contribution to the further development of the profession and discipline through professional activities in Social Work research and academic Social Work. For this reason, I am pursuing a doctorate and would like to continue researching in the future. MCI provides me with the right conditions for these plans!

What is your research focus?

In general, I am interested in fundamental phenomena in the fields of Social Work. In practice, many things seem “clear” to professionals and institutions, but there is a lack of reliable data and evidence to support these assumptions as a basis for discourse with social policy makers, financiers, and the public sector or society. All in all, the aim is to close these empirical gaps through basic research in Social Work, in constant interaction and cooperation with practical institutions, professionals, and target groups.

My thoughts and interests revolve around many questions, including: What are the current developments in different areas of Social Work? How does Social Work generally operate in challenging times? How is the profession developing in this country? Where are the opportunities, where are the challenges, where are the limits in relation to one's own professional standards and practical realities? What characterizes decisions and reasoning in Social Work? What are the central concerns of social workers, managers, and users of Social Work in connection with support processes in practice? What insights can be gained from this for the study of Social Work?

These are all big questions, and it will never be possible to answer them alone. That is why I value teamwork and the scientific credo of cooperation and mutual complementarity, (self-)criticism, and appreciation. If I can contribute even a tiny piece of the puzzle to the further development of Social Work, then I am happy.

What is a fun fact about you that people might not know/expect?

Perhaps not such a big secret: I shaped Innsbruck's nightlife for 10 years with my own series of events and spent several years as a booker, putting together the program for a club in the Bögen.

Today, I prefer to spend my free time cycling on lonely mountain pass roads or running along the Inn River. I like to get up early in the morning and, when time allows, go cycling on routes with wild elevation profiles.

Academic timeline:

03/2022 - present

Dissertation | PhD

HAW Hessen - Promotionszentrum der Sozialen Arbeit

01/2016 - 12/2020

Social Work, Social Policy & Social Management | Master of Arts in Social Sciences

MCI | The Entrepreneurial School®

01/2013 - 12/2016

Sociology | Bachelor of Arts

Leopold-Franzens-University Innsbruck