Leadership Needs Diversity
With the pilot programme “Leading Women”, TU Graz supports female academics and scientists looking to get ahead in their careers. The programme actively promotes equal opportunities and contributes to achieving Austria’s goal of a forty-percent quota for women in university collegial bodies.
“Leading Women” is specifically targeted at female academics and scientists at TU Graz who wish to assume leadership responsibilities or actively participate in university committees by offering practical professional development, personal coaching and networking opportunities.
Three successful cohorts already clearly demonstrate the programme’s effectiveness. The bespoke support and guidance participants receive is intended to empower and help them as effectively as possible on their path to assuming positions of responsibility.
In each cohort, 12 female members of the academic staff at TU Graz prepare for future leadership positions such as Vice Rector, Dean or Dean of Studies. Suitable candidates for this three-year programme are nominated by the Rector.
Leading Women of TU Graz, 2019-2022
This programme is a great mix of analyses, workshops, coaching and mentoring. It’s a unique opportunity to network with like-minded people who share similar experiences and goals. For me, it is still a valuable source of inspiration and motivation.
Lisa MITTISCHEK
Mag.phil. M.A. PhD
lisa.mittischek@tugraz.at
Gundrun HAAGE
Dipl.-Ing.
Tel.: +43 316 873 6078
gudrun.haage@tugraz.at
Cohort 4: 2026 - 2028
- Eva MAIR
Univ.-Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Architektin
Professor at the Institute of Design and Building Typology - Milena STAVRIC
Assoc.Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr.techn.
Associate Professor at the Institute of Architecture and Media
Ana Tsui MORENO CHOU
Univ.-Prof. Dr.
Professor at the Institute of Highway Engineering and Transport Planning - Christina HOPFE
Univ.-Prof. Dipl.-Ing. dr
Professor at the Institute of Building Physics, Services, and Construction - Nicole WERMUTH
Univ.-Prof. Dr.-Ing.
Professor at the Institute of Thermodynamics and Sustainable Propulsion Systems - Ani KHALOIAN SARNAGHI
Dr.-Ing. M.Sc.
Associate Professor at the Vehicle Safety Institute - Petra SPÖRK-ERDELY
Ass.Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr.mont.
Associate Professor at the Institute of Materials Science, Joining and Forming - Alicja MICHALOWSKA-FORSYTH
Assoc.Prof. Dr. mgr inz.
Associate Professor at the Institute of Electronics - Ana HANIC
Dr. sc. Ass.Prof. Mag. ing. el.
Associate Professor at the Electric Drives and Power Electronic Systems Institute - Karin ZOJER
Assoc.Prof. Dipl.-Phys. Dr.rer.nat.
Associate Professor at the Institute of Solid State Physics - Barbara SIEGMUND
Assoc.Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr.techn.
Associate Professor at the Institute of Analytical Chemistry and Food Chemistry - Anita EMMERSTORFER-AUGUSTIN
Priv.-Doz. Dipl.-Ing. Dr.techn. BSc
University Project Assistant at the Institute of Molecular Biotechnology - Marlene KIENBERGER
Assoc.Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr.techn.
Associate Professor at the Institute of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Technology - Elisabeth LEX
Univ.-Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr.techn.
Professor at the Institute of Human-Centred Computing - Selina WRIESSNEGGER
Assoc.Prof. Mag.rer.nat. Dr.phil.
Associate Professor at the Institute of Neural Engineering
Cohort 3: 2022 - 2024
- Eva SCHWAB
Ass.Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr.nat.techn.
Associate Professor at the Institute of Urbanism - Svenja HOLLSTEIN
Dipl.-Ing. Dr.techn.
Associate Professor at the Institute of Design in Existing Structures and Architectural Heritage Protection; Deputy Head of Institute - Daniela FUCHS-HANUSCH
Assoc.Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr.techn.
Associate Professor at the Institute of Urban Water Management and Landscape Water Engineering; Dean of Studies Civil Engineering Sciences - Sonja WOGRIN
Univ.-Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr. M.Sc.
Professor at the Institute of Electricity Economics and Energy Innovation - Manuela WENGER
Dipl.-Ing. Dipl.-Ing. (FH) Dr.techn.
Senior Scientist at the Institute of Communication Networks and Satellite Communications - Alice REINBACHER-KÖSTINGER
Ass.Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr.techn.
Associate Professor at the Institute of Fundamentals and Theory in Electrical Engineering; Leader of the Optimisation and Inverse Problems Group - Birgit WASSERMANN
Ass.Prof. Dr.rer.nat. Bakk.rer.nat. MSc
Associate Professor at the Institute of Environmental Biotechnology; Deputy Head of Institute - Merit BODNER
Ass.Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr.techn. BSc
Associate Professor at the Institute of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Technology - Jana LASSER
Univ.-Prof. Dr.rer.nat. B.Sc. M.Sc.
Professor of Data Analysis at the University of Graz - Bettina KÖNIGSHOFER
Ass.Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr.techn. BSc
Associate Professor at the Institute of Information Security - Theresa RIENMÜLLER
Ass.Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr.techn.
Associate Professor at the Institute of Biomechanics - Kerstin LENK
Ass.Prof. Priv.-Doz. Dipl.-Inform. (FH) Dr.rer.nat.
Associate Professor at the Institute of Neural Engineering
The Leading Women programme gave me the confidence to consistently pursue my path as a leader in science and to have the courage to take steps and make decisions that I might otherwise have avoided.
I think that’s one of the reasons why my career in science has developed exceptionally well in recent years, and I have been able to achieve more than I ever dreamed possible before joining the programme.
Personally, I think diversity is a key factor for success. Leading Women provides us with important tools to increase our visibility and reach leadership positions within and outside of TU Graz. I am so happy to have already met so many fantastic women through this programme.
Now, I am very well connected within TU Graz, which has resulted in some very exciting opportunities.
Leading Women is a fantastic opportunity to acquire leadership skills and understand the importance of good leadership in academia.
Since joining the programme, I’ve been part of several exciting collaborative projects and have become part of a network of outstanding female scientists from various disciplines.
The Leading Women programme has succeeded in connecting many interesting female researchers and academics who are all successful in their fields and supports them in developing their leadership skills.
Personally, I benefit from the opportunity to exchange ideas with them and learn about the different strategies they employ in their career development and in their roles as researchers, teachers and leaders.
The Leading Women programme offers the opportunity to advance your education and at the same time build a strong network with other excellent female researchers at TU Graz.
Cohort 2: 2019 – 2022
- Ursula AUGSDÖRFER
Assoc.Prof. M.Sc. PhD
Associate Professor at the Institute of Visual Computing - Maria EICHLSEDER
Assoc.Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr.techn. BSc BSc
Associate Professor at the Institute of Information Security - Katrin FRIEDL
Dipl.-Ing. Dr.techn.
Expert for electromagnetic fields, interference, grounding and personal safety of electrical energy systems - Corina KLUG
Assoc.Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr.techn.
Associate Professor at the Institute of Vehicle Safety - Regina KRATZER
Assoc.Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr.techn.
Associate Professor at the Institute of Biotechnology and Biochemical Engineering - Cornelia LEX
Assoc.Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr.techn.
Associate Professor at the Institute of Automotive Engineering - Susanne LUX
Assoc.Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr.techn.
Associate Professor at the Institute of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Technology - Johanna PIRKER
Assoc.Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr.techn. BSc
Associate Professor at the Institute of Human-Centred Computing; Forbes 30 Under 30 - Carole PLANCHETTE
Assoc.Prof. Dr. Master
Associate Professor at the Institute of Fluid Mechanics and Heat Transfer - Christina ROPPOSCH
Dipl.-Ing. Dr.techn.
Senior Scientist at the Institute of General Management and Organisation - Birgitta SCHULTZE-BERNHARD
Univ.-Prof. Dipl.-Phys. (Univ.) Dr.rer.nat.
Professor at the Institute of Experimental Physics; Group Leader of Coherent Sensing - Eva SOLLGRUBER
Ass.Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr.techn.
Associate Professor at the Institute of Design and Building Typology - Vanja SUBOTIC
Assoc.Prof. Priv.-Doz. Dipl.-Ing. Dr.techn. BSc
Associate Professor at the Institute of Thermal Engineering; Head of Fuel Cell Research Group; Deputy Head of Institute
This programme supports women* at TU Graz in their career planning and contributes to establishing more women* in leadership positions both in research and academia – thereby increasing diversity in the Austrian research landscape.
It counteracts structural discrimination by supporting, connecting and empowering participants*. Personally, I benefited greatly from the programme and gained the courage to confidently pursue my own path.
I think the Leading Women programme is of central importance for TU Graz as an academic institution and as an employer.
In science and academia, especially in STEM fields, we often see an unbalanced gender ratio in leadership positions. The programme gives women the self-confidence they need to aim for a leadership position. It also makes active efforts to highlight the achievements of the participants.
Personally, I value the professional community and the supportive exchange among us women at TU Graz that has developed through the programme.
I met Vanja Subotic through the Leading Women programme – that was a huge boost for me. Together we set up a laboratory for hydrogen fermentation, one of very few both in Europe and worldwide. We have since published jointly.
Participating in the Leading Women programme gave me the opportunity to exchange ideas with other passionate female researchers and provided fresh impetus for shaping my research group.
Leading Women highlights female role models who, with their expertise and commitment, are breaking new ground and inspiring others. Visibility and networking are essential for breaking down barriers and empowering women in leadership positions.
Getting to interact and connect with inspiring women from various fields has opened my eyes to new perspectives and inspired me to pursue several further joint research projects.
Cohort 1: 2014 – 2017
- Gabriele BERG
Univ.-Prof. Dipl.-Biol. Dr.rer.nat.
Head of the Institute of Environmental Biotechnology - Juliane BOGNER-STRAUSS
Assoc.Prof. Mag.rer.nat. Dr.rer.nat.
Associate Professor at the Institute of Biochemistry - Katrin ELLERMANN
Univ.-Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil.
Head of the Institute of Mechanics - Mihyun KANG
Univ.-Prof. Ph.D.
Professor at the Institute of Discrete Mathematics, Group Leader: Combinatorics Group - Stefanie LINDSTAEDT
Univ.-Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr.
Professor at the Institute of Human-Centred Computing; Founding President of IT:U - Annette MÜTZE
Univ.-Prof. Dr.-Ing.
Professor at the Institute of Electric Drives and Power Electronic Systems; Winner of the Houska Prize 2025; Chairperson of the Senate of TU Graz - Maria Cecilia POLETTI
Assoc.Prof. Dr.techn.
Associate Professor at the Institute of Materials Science, Joining and Forming; Leader of the Modelling and Simulation Group - Tanja WRODNIGG
Univ.-Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr.techn.
Professor at the Institute of Chemistry and Technology of Biobased Systems
Leading Women raises awareness of gender issues not only among the participants but also within the academic and scientific community. The programme offers women in engineering and science disciplines a space to analyse strategies for professional development within the real context they find themselves in.
Ultimately, the programme aims to identify stressful situations and create perspectives for societal change.
Leading Women challenges us women to reflect on how we view our role(s). It helps us meet wonderful people. And rather than telling us how we should be, it empowers us to take responsibility for ourselves.
I was able to meet wonderful, inspiring people who challenged me through their very being and their uniqueness. In addition, I had a number of encounters and conversations that have had a lasting impact on my life. Some of these connections still enrich my life today.
