The research project “The concept of vulnerability in the context of human rights”, which was funded by the Austrian Science Funds (FWF, P32130-G31) and implemented by the senior researchers Monika Mayrhofer, Margit Ammer and Katrin Wladasch from the programme line “(In-)Equalities and Non-Discrimination” since April 2019, was successfully concluded on 15. October 2023.

The starting point for the research project was the observation that the concept of vulnerability is increasingly used in the field of human rights. However, a comprehensive and comparative exploration of the concept as well as the analysis of the relationship, ambiguities, delimitations or even inconsistencies of vulnerability with the concepts of inequality and non-discrimination based on empirical research was missing. The research project aimed at closing this gap by doing theoretical analysis as well as empirical research on the application of the concept on the basis of three case studies in the areas of asylum law and policies, climate change including climate change-related mobility, and equality and anti-discrimination.

The research project showed that, compared to the concepts of equality and non-discrimination, the concept of vulnerability is neither included in human rights instruments nor is there a precise and unambiguous legal understanding and definition of the concept. Furthermore, the objectives, motivations and added value for using the concept of vulnerability are not clear and the concept is often attached to certain groups (e.g. women, children, persons with disabilities). It was also ascertained, that the application of the concept of vulnerability mobilizes problematic and stereotypical narratives, which is problematic for achieving substantive equality and abolishing structural discrimination. Individuals and groups labelled as vulnerable are often stereotypically presented as those with special needs requiring particular protection or priority attention.

Based on the research findings, the research team has drafted and submitted several academic articles for peer-review and already published some articles in international academic journals. Furthermore, a policy brief was drafted containing recommendations to policy makers, legal practitioners, academics and a wider public was published as part of the research blog of the project.