© Lunghammer – TU GrazClaudia von der Linden, MBA (IMD)
Chairwoman Founding Convention
© Antje Wolm – IT:UUniv-Prof. Dr. Stefanie Lindstaedt
Founding President
Dr. Holger Schwarting
Managing Director
Dr. Gerd Krizek
Senior Manager Study Affairs
Christina Nyström, PhD
Founding Director Learning
Stuart Hodgson, MBA
Founding Director Technology
Dr. Daniel Cracau
Founding Director Outreach
Founding Convention
The Founding Convention is the strategic body of the university during the founding phase. Two of its members were nominated by the state of Upper Austria, three by the Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research (BMBWF), two by the Federal Ministry for Climate Protection, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology (BMK), one by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF) and one by the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG).
Chairwoman: Dipl.-Ing. Claudia von der Linden, MBA (IMD)
Deputy Chairpersons: Dr. Christina Rami-Mark , Univ.-Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr. Martin Hitz
Members (nominated by): Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr.Dr.h.c. Wilfried Eichlseder (BMBWF), Prof. Dr. Dieter Kranzlmüller (FWF), Dipl.-Ing. Katja Schechtner, MSc (BMK), Dr. Wolfgang Steiner (Upper Austria)
Rules of procedure of the Founding Convention:
Founding President
The Founding President leads and represents the university externally.
Founding Management Board
The Founding Management Board is chaired by the Founding President and is composed of the Managing Director and the Founding Directors.
Managing Director: The Managing Director is responsible for the development and management of the administrative area.
Founding Directors: The Founding Directors are responsible for the development and management of their respective areas.
The Industry Sounding Board of IT:U was established to strengthen the dialogue between scientific research and industrial practice. The aim is to jointly tackle global challenges and further develop interdisciplinary studies in a forward-looking way.
International Strategic Advisory Board (ISAB)
The International Strategic Advisory Board advises the Founding Convention and Founding President on current strategic scientific issues, particularly with regards to setting the strategic course and positioning of the university as well as setting fundamental priorities in research and teaching. In addition, the ISAB provides support with calls for applications, searches, and appointments of professors.
Collegial Bodies
First Committee for Equality and Women’s Advancement (FCEWA)
This collegial body shall provide advice and support to members and bodies of the university as regards
compliance with equal opportunities and women’s advancement requirements, in particular achieving equitable gender representation.
Chairperson: Sonja Rattay
Deputy Chairperson: Ben Wagner
Members: Elpiniki Prinianaki, Nata Sturua, Taylor Jade Wain
Affirmative Action Plan for Equal Opportunities and Women Advancement:
to be published
Superior Committee for Equality and Women’s Advancement (SCEWA)
The SCEWA is responsible resolving conflicts upon request by the FCEWA, and includes internal and external representatives. It is defined by IT:U law and part V of IT:U’s bylaws.
Chairperson:
Deputy Chairperson:
Members:
University Assembly
The University Assembly brings together research, administration, and students to discuss strategic matters of IT:U. They give valuable feedback on issues like IT:U’s bylaws.
Chairperson: Andreas Mühleder
Deputy Chairpersons: Theresa Csar, Nina Hubig
Members: David Hanny, Thomas Robiglio, Saba Soleimani, Burcu Bilgic, Sebastian Kusch, Sonja Pfaffeneder, Evelyn Steininger, Julia Rippatha, Carla Barreiros, Philipp Wintersberger, Christopher Frauenberger, Bernd Resch, Shaily Gandhi, Christian Hilbe, Yufang Hou, Tiago de Paula Peixoto, Alexander Steinmaurer, Jie Mei, Bianca Straßer
Curricula Commission
The Curricula Commission of Interdisciplinary Transformation University Austria (IT:U) is the central academic body responsible for the development, review, and continuous enhancement of the university’s study programs. It ensures that all curricula reflect IT:U’s interdisciplinary mission, meet high academic standards, and comply with national and international higher education regulations. The Curricula Commission oversees the design and approval of new study programs as well as substantial revisions to existing curricula. In this role, it evaluates the academic structure, learning outcomes, workload, and internal coherence of programs to ensure that they provide a rigorous, innovative, and interdisciplinary learning experience. Particular emphasis is placed on integrating diverse academic perspectives, supporting research-based teaching, and aligning curricula with the evolving needs of society, science, and technology.
Chairperson: Gerd Krizek
Deputy Chairperson: Carla Barreiros
Member: Sam Smidt (King’s College London)
Student Representative: Pranav Mambayil
Further Bodies
Student Union (ÖH)
The Austrian Student Union (ÖH) is the legally mandated body representing students in Austria and is organised at federal, university, and study programme levels. At IT:U, the ÖH represents student interests towards university leadership, contributes to the improvement of teaching and study conditions, participates in relevant committees, and supports student life through initiatives and events.
Works Council
The IT:U Works Council represents the interests of all employees at the Interdisciplinary Transformation University. They are committed to ensuring fair working conditions, advocating for employee rights, and maintaining open communication between staff and management.