Welcome to the Institute for Higher Education Management
The Institute for Higher Education Management is part of the Department of Strategy and Innovation at WU and is led by Univ. Prof. Dr. Barbara Sporn.
IHM activities include research, teaching, policy advising and external engagement with different stakeholders, as well as involvement in international associations. Areas of interest at IHM combine theories of business and management applied to the complex organization of universities. With this focus, IHM provides insights for higher education scholars and practitioners but also beyond that for research and practice interested in expert and nonprofit organizational settings.
NEWS
We are hiring!
The Institute for Higher Education Management is currently looking for one or two student tutors (to be decided) for the summer term 2026.
Eligible to apply for a tutor position are students enrolled in a Master’s program who haven’t completed their degree yet.
If you already have an employment contract with WU, please be aware that you are not allowed to work more than 20 hours per week.
The position will officially start on February 16th, 2026, runs until the end of the semester and entails a commitment of up to 10 hours per week (the exact number of hours to be confirmed later).
Your primary duties will include (but are not limited to):
Editing of course materials in connection to the Business Planning course or another related course from the Institute (e.g. PowerPoint slides, handouts, written exams & assignments)
Preparing group work and answering student questions about the courses
Active participation in course-related agendas (group activities, Zoom sessions, etc.)
Supporting the set-up of online and offline sessions
Supporting lecturers’ assignment feedback
Our institute offers you:
Interesting tasks connected to the Institute’s offered course portfolio
A warm, welcoming team atmosphere
Insights in the academic world (research- and teaching-wise)
Networking possibilities for your own, possible PhD-path
If you are interested in the position, please submit your CV by November 28th, 2025 by email to: verena.herbsthofer@wu.ac.at.
For further information about the tutor position, do not hesitate to contact me (bernhard.boehm@wu.ac.at).
Renewed Collaboration with UN World Food Programme
© WFP
The Institute for Higher Education Management and the World Food Programme (WFP) renewed their agreement on a dynamic collaboration aimed at fostering innovation in the fight against global hunger.
Since 2022 IHM and students from the SIMC - Master in Strategy, Innovation and Management Control have worked with WFP teams. The partnership has proven mutually beneficial by offering students valuable opportunities for internships and networking. Their insights are already shaping how WFP learns, innovates and monitors its operations for global food security and the collaboration will expand systematic collaboration in innovation research.
We’re looking forward for much more to come!
Higher Education Speaker Series
We have a new date for our Higher Education Speaker Series and are looking forward to another top-class guest speaker. On December 4, 2025 we will welcome Jürgen Janger (WIFO - Austrian Institute of Economic Research)for an exciting public lecture. More details can be found here.
CHER Conference 2026
The CHER 38th Annual Conference will take place at the University of Catania, Italy, from August 31st to September 2nd, 2026. More information about the conference theme and call for proposals will be available soon on the CHER website.
Outstanding Paper Award
A warm congratulations to our colleague, Ana Godonoga, PhD, for winning the Outstanding Paper Award at the 2025 European Higher Education Society (EAIR) Conference in Utrecht, the Netherlands. Her study „Embedding societal impact into education, research and service: The case of business schools” examines how business schools adapt their organizational practices to strengthen their societal impact and the conditions that enable the development of these practices.
Bachelor-/Masterthesis
The Institute for Higher Education Management welcomes interest from students who would like to write their thesis under our supervision. We especially welcome interest in a topic related to universities/non-profit organizations. The following topics are available for Bachelor’s and Master’s theses:
Sustainability and impact assessment
Leadership and strategy
Governance and performance management
If you are interested in any of the above or related topics, please contact Professor Barbara Sporn - barbara.sporn@wu.ac.at.
You can find more information and the guides to your thesis here.
Publication alert!
We are pleased to announce the publication of the chapter "Organizing for Social Impact in Universities in the DACH Region", co-edited by Barbara Sporn and Ana Godonoga. Access to the document can be found here.
Courses Summer Term 2026
During the upcoming summer term we offer the following courses with interesting (guest-)lecturer:
LV 5155: Business Planning and Performance Management
LV 6074: Strategic Leadership
LV 6073: Fundamentals of Strategic Management and Leadership
LV 4342 + 4699: Professional Development Workshop
LV 6366: Research in Higher Education Science and Management
The WU Course Catalogue for the summer term with dates and details will be online January 19.
Institut für Hochschulmanagement
Building D5, 6th floor
Welthandelsplatz 1
1020 Vienna
Österreich
Tel: +43 1 31336 5522
E-Mail: barbara.sporn@wu.ac.at
