E³UDRES² Voices:

Andrea Pilgerstorfer

May 2026 | #staff

Introducing Andrea Pilgerstorfer, Lecturer and International Coordinator for the Department of Social Sciences at USTP – University of Applied Sciences St. Pölten. As a committed contributor to E³UDRES², she supports international collaboration in Social Work and creates opportunities for exchange across Europe. Most recently, Andrea initiated a network meeting for Academic Directors in Social Work and welcomed the first gathering of the “Social ConnectEUrs” at USTP, strengthening connections between colleagues and institutions across the alliance.

What added value does the E³UDRES² Alliance offer for Social Work?

E³UDRES² gives us a strong network of partner universities all over Europe – and this exchange is of central importance for Social Work. Social issues can never be viewed only from a local or regional angle, as they are always international in nature. Looking beyond national borders broadens your horizon and creates valuable impulses for teaching and practice.

What more do you have planned for the future?

We want to deepen the collaboration with the “Social ConnectEUrs” and get to know our partner universities better in terms of content as well. A concrete next step is a Blended Intensive Program (BIP) that will take place at our partner institution Saxion in the autumn. Further topic-specific BIPs are to follow. In the long term, we are also planning to increasingly extend our networking activities to research, too.

What does E³UDRES² mean to you personally?

More than anything, E³UDRES² is a chance for me to think outside the box and discover new development opportunities. The alliance creates room for collaboration and innovation. However, it takes time, resources, a creative spaces for this added value to reach the students more. At the same time, it is important to further improve people's awareness of the benefits of such European collaborations – on the part of regional practice partners, for example.

How are we living Europeanness at USTP?

In my opinion, Europeanness manifests itself in the mobilities we cultivate and in our various partnerships throughout Europe. Our students complete internships all over Europe, gain international experience, and are thus very well connected in the specialist community. Exchange at the European level is particularly valuable in Social Work because social questions are always embedded in bigger contexts. To me, Europeanness means seeing the bigger picture when it comes to social issues and to develop European solutions to them together.​

Interview by: Marketing Department, USTP – University of Applied Sciences St. Pölten

🠐 Back to E³UDRES² Voices

ANY QUESTIONS?

Get in touch with us through our contact form or write to your local E³UDRES² team.

The message has been sent successfully.

Unfortunately, an error has occurred. Please check the entered values.

Some required fields are not filled yet, please fill them in order to continue.