The Universities of Alberta and of Innsbruck look back on a long tradition of being partners. Already in 1998, the two institutions signed the first bilateral agreement, making both student and staff mobility available for both sides. Since then, 18 professors from each institution have participated in the agreement as visiting scholars.

In May of 2023 Reza Hasmath will be the 19th guest professor to visit Innsbruck through the agreement. The renowned political scientist has an MA from the University of New South Wales in Policy Studies and another from the School of Oriental and African Studies of the University of London in International Studies and Diplomacy. He wrote his dissertation “The Management of Ethnic Difference in Mixed Communities. Case Study: Beijing and Toronto.” at the University of Cambridge and was awarded a Doctor of Philosophy in Social and Political Sciences in 2009. Prof. Hasmath works as a tenured Professor at the Department of Political Science of the University of Alberta since 2019.

Prof. Hasmath's research, teaching and supervision interest include: Authoritarian Regimes, NGO Governance and Management, Civic Participation, Philanthropy and Volunteerism, Norms in International Affairs, Contemporary China (politics, economics and sociology), Organizational Behaviour, Political Philosophy, Environmental, social and corporate governance, Political Sociology, Ethics (individual, community and state), Public Policy Formation and Innovation, Ethnic Minorities in Global Contexts (life course experiences and integration models), Social and Welfare Policy, Social Theory (classical and contemporary), Immigration and Migration, State’s Role in the Economy, Institutional Diversity (corporate and non-profit), Work and the Labour Market, International Development Theory and Practice.

On May 23rd, 6.30–8 pm Professor Reza Hasmath will hold a guest-lecture at the Department of Political Science in Innsbruck.