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Rupert Sausgruber reappointed Rector of WU Vienna

28/05/2026

The second term of office begins on October 1, 2027

Following approval by the Senate, the University Board of WU Vienna University of Economics and Business has reappointed WU’s current Rector, Rupert Sausgruber, for another term. His new term of office will run until September 30, 2031.

Prof. Rupert Sausgruber has served as Rector of WU Vienna University of Economics and Business since October 2023. His second term as Rector will begin on October 1, 2027. Regarding the reappointment decision, Dr. Cattina Leitner, chair of the WU University Board, said, “The reappointment of the Rector sends a strong message of stability and continuous development and underscores the forward-looking orientation WU pursues as a top-tier university in the Austrian and international context.”

In his next term, Rector Sausgruber plans to continue on the course he has taken so far: “WU has kept going strong in the past few years. We hold our own in international rankings, our degree programs are among the most sought-after in Austria and across Europe, and our researchers have a significant impact on business, society, and policymaking through their strong expertise. Given the looming budget cuts, huge efforts will undoubtedly be needed on our part to maintain what we have achieved and remain successful. I’m ready to take up this challenge, and I firmly believe that we’ll master this phase at WU with our strong sense of community, hard work and dedication, and our clear focus on quality.”

[Translate to English:] Rupert Sausgruber

About Rupert Sausgruber

Rupert Sausgruber earned his habilitation at the University of Innsbruck in 2005, where he then worked as an associate professor at the Institute of Public Finance. After spending several research stays abroad at institutions such as the University of Copenhagen, the Max Planck Institute in Jena, the Economic Science Laboratory at the University of Arizona, and the Office of Tax Policy Research at the University of Michigan, Sausgruber was appointed professor of public economics at WU in 2013. From 2018 to 2023, he chaired WU’s Department of Economics. His main research interests as an economist have centered around new developments in behavioral economics that contribute to a better understanding of finance-related questions associated with taxation, the redistribution of income and wealth, collaboration, elections, education, and working incentives.

Rupert Sausgruber has been Rector of WU Vienna since October 1, 2023. He also chairs the board of directors of the WU Foundation and is a member of numerous international university networks and committees.

Press contact:
Cornelia Moll
Press Relations Officer
Tel: + 43-1-31336-4977
Email: cornelia.moll@wu.ac.at

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