Petra Eggenhofer-Rehart: a scientist with a passion for equal opportunities and career research

Research focus on career paths, equal opportunities and fair working conditions

Petra Eggenhofer-Rehart is passionate about researching career orientations and paths of different professional and socio-demographic groups. She is particularly interested in the career paths of women compared to men and those of refugees. She also analyses the language used in job ads to find out how wording can have a potentially discriminatory effect and unintentionally exclude women, young professionals, older job seekers, or people with a migration background.
“My enthusiasm for this topic stems from my desire to contribute to identifying structural inequalities as a scientist. It is important to me to develop effective measures based on scientific findings that lead to more equal opportunities in the world of work,” explains Eggenhofer-Rehart.

Current research projects: fair working conditions and women in the patent system

Petra Eggenhofer-Rehart is currently involved in the OMAHA research project, which focuses on the working conditions of specialist home nursing staff. The aim is to examine their co-determination rights within the company and to identify potential for improvement.
Another exciting project she recently submitted deals with the career development of women in the patent system. Together with an interdisciplinary team, she wants to analyse why women are severely underrepresented as inventors and what alternative career paths they pursue in this field. “It is essential to understand the barriers that make it difficult for women to enter this field in order to develop targeted countermeasures,” she emphasises.

Science as a calling: the path to research

Her academic career began with a degree in psychology at the University of Vienna, followed by a career in management consultancy with a focus on human resources and organisational development. However, her passion for research and teaching never left her, which is why she returned to academia. She worked in the field of industrial and organisational psychology at the German University of the Federal Armed Forces and contributed her expertise to international NATO research projects dealing with interstate cooperation and peacekeeping in the context of military missions.
After returning to Austria, she specialised in career research at the Vienna University of Economics and Business and examined the potentially discriminatory effect of job ad texts at the University of Innsbruck.
“I am fascinated by how science contributes to gaining ever deeper insights and questioning social and technological developments. I am particularly interested in how this knowledge can be used in practice to positively change people’s lives.”

Women in science: a call for more self-confidence and networking

Eggenhofer-Rehart is convinced that every child is born with curiosity and enthusiasm for a particular topic. “It is important to recognise this curiosity and encourage it at an early stage – it is never too early.”
She recommends that young women not be deterred by challenges: “Be enthusiastic about your field of research, because science requires stamina and the ability to tolerate frustration. Believe in yourselves and your abilities! Women are just as competent as men – unfortunately, they often have less self-confidence.”

Research as a trailblazer for equal opportunities

Petra Eggenhofer-Rehart combines her scientific curiosity with a strong social commitment: she wants to highlight where structural barriers exist and how they can be dismantled. Her commitment to equal opportunities and career research makes her an inspiring pioneer – for women in science and beyond.
“For me, research is asking critical questions and the never-ending search for new answers.”

Three questions – three answers:

• Why did you choose a career in science? 

  Because I am curious and never want to stop asking critical questions.

• What do women in science need to succeed?

  A calling and enthusiasm for the field of research, stamina and frustration tolerance, plus a good network.

• Do you have any advice for young women and aspiring scientists? 

  Find a topic that really excites you, be prepared for strong competition and the need to tightly organise the interplay between work and private life.