Marina Fischer-Kowalski was the founder and director of the Institute of Social Ecology in Vienna. She was professor of social ecology at Alpen Adria University and a senior lecturer at the University of Vienna. She promoted interdisciplinary cooperation in approaching social science questions, and maintained an abiding interest in developing a sustainable society. Her research interests included sustainable transitions, theories of social change and environmental sociology. Fischer-Kowalski held a PhD in sociology.

Fischer-Kowalski discusses her inderdisciplinary background