
Outreach
I care about the practical implications of research. The idea that “nothing is as useful as a good theory” (Kurt Lewin) resonates with me.
In my research, I often conduct longitudinal randomised-controlled field experiments, connecting precise theory and rigorous experimental tests with practically meaningful outcomes.
I also regularly give workshops, keynotes, and presentations for organizations – NGOs (e.g., the Bertelsmann Foundation), governmental organizations (e.g., Austria's Bundeskanzleramt), and companies (e.g., McKinsey) - that are interested in my research and how to use it to promote equality in their settings. Please feel free to reach out to me, if you would like to connect with me on this.
Public media is a great way to get in touch with the larger public. I hope the public-media articles I co-create can help inform the public about recent research findings, raise awareness, and shape narratives around people in disadvantaged positions in adaptive ways. Below, you can find recent media reports on my work.
Own writing and podcasts
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Blog I wrote for the Society of Personality and Social Psychology’s Chataracter & Context Blog on the depression-reframing approach: https://spsp.org/news/character-and-context-blog/bauer-strength-in-mental-illness
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“The last show with David Cooper” podcast on my work with depression: https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/reframe-your-depression-as-strength-in-minutes/id1168275879?i=1000751610839
Descriptions of my work in popular science books
Walton, G. M. (2025). Ordinary Magic: The Science of How We Can Achieve Big Change With Small Acts. Penguin Random House: New York. https://books.google.at/books/about/Ordinary_Magic.html?id=KM0WEQAAQBAJ&redir_esc=y
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Pages 181-208 describe my work, including a reframing-exercise for readers at the end of the book.
Cohen Booth, R (anticipated publication 2027). You’re Not Powerless: The Crisis of Agency and How We Reclaim It Together. https://rachelcohenbooth.com/book/
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Based on an interview with Vox journalist Rachel Cohen Booth, my work is featured several times throughout the book.
English media reports:
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MSN news (reach: 100 million people), 2026: https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/psychologists-developed-a-20-minute-tool-to-help-people-reframe-their-depression-as-a-source-of-strength/ar-AA1WA8Mh
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MSN news (reach: 122 million people), 2024: https://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/mind-and-soul/recognizing-the-strengths-of-socioeconomically-disadvantaged-students-could-lead-to-better-grades/ar-AA1sFxoS
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“The Last Show” podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/the-last-show-with-david-cooper/id1168275879?i=1000751610839
German Media Reports:
On my work on first-generation students:
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Sueddeutsche Zeitung (second biggest German newspaper, 2023): https://www.sueddeutsche.de/wissen/studie-fleiss-talent-bildungsaufsteiger-1.5947673
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Deutschlandfunk Nova (2023): https://www.deutschlandfunknova.de/nachrichten/selbstwertgefuehl-zaehlt-talent-mehr-als-fleiss
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Der Standard (2024):
https://www.derstandard.at/consent/tcf/story/3000000201662/sozial-benachteiligte-frauen-trauen-sich-trotz-guter-noten-wenig-zu?ref=rss -
ORF (2024):
https://science.orf.at/stories/3222935/ -
Die Presse (2023):
https://www.diepresse.com/13434223/wer-wenig-hat-unterschaetzt-seine-talente
On the strengths of individuals in disadvantaged positions:
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ORF (biggest public Austrian TV channel, reach: 7.6 million people), 2024: https://science.orf.at/stories/3227234/
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Die Presse (second biggest Austrian newspaper, 2022):
https://www.diepresse.com/6091711/die-flucht-kann-stark-machen -
Kurier (major Austrian newspaper; reach: 4.4 million), 2026:
https://kurier.at/wissen/gesundheit/staerke-depressionen-selbstvertrauen-studie/403128882