About Third Mission

As a Responsible University, we are committed to disseminating knowledge, driving public debates, and paving the way for tangible transformation processes in our society.

The Third Mission is an integral part of WU’s Strategy. WU is one of only very few universities that expressly state their commitment to the Third Mission in the title of a Vice-Rector’s portfolio – namely that of WU’s Vice-Rector for Research & Third Mission. The Third Mission Office supports the WU community in communicating WU’s wide-ranging activities in this field and further developing them based on a targeted strategy.

Understanding of the Third Mission at WU 

The Third Mission is one of universities’ three core tasks. At WU, it is based primarily on teaching and research. Third Mission activities create direct links between the university and society, thus contributing to WU's overall mission of “promoting societal prosperity, economic capability, and sustainability.” 

We define the Third Mission as activities that reach beyond the university setting to engage with and be relevant for society. Third Mission activities may serve as both teaching and research activities if they also target students or the scientific community. The direct societal relevance that characterizes the Third Mission is as diverse as the societal stakeholders. It must be in line with the academic principles of autonomy and integrity that WU is committed to upholding.  

For WU, in addition to the public, actors from the economic sphere are key partners and target groups for Third Mission activities. Most of these activities are carried out in collaboration with actors who are part of the business community or who help shape it—along economic, social, ecological, and legal themes. 

What types of activities are considered part of the Third Mission? 

The connection to society that characterizes the Third Mission is reflected in a broad spectrum of activities. It ranges from one-way Knowledge Transfer—for example, through media contributions—to intensive, mutual exchange, as exemplified by Service Learning. It includes both commitments that are made without compensation and those in which compensation is provided because WU creates added value—for example, in the context of the Executive Academy programs. 

Third Mission activities can broadly be divided into three areas of action: 

Knowledge Transfer, Knowledge Valorisation and Innovation

Societal and Community Engagement

Continuing Education & Lifelong learning

In addition, WU as an organization and thus also as an employer, physical institution, and meeting place has an inevitable influence on society. This enables all WU employees to contribute to the Third Mission. At WU, we are aware of our responsibility as a potential role model. With the support of the entire WU community, WU makes diverse, positive contributions to society.  

Our Goals and Perspectives for Development

The university will take further steps to make a visible and lasting contribution to the prosperous development of society from the perspective of academia and business. This overarching objective is to be achieved through four interlinked goals:

  • Continued development of a common understanding of the third mission and impact

  • Identification of synergies and ways of increasing visibility

  • Strengthening research and science communication

  • Strengthening knowledge transfer and collaborative activities

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Contact

Third Mission Office

Questions, comments, or ideas about the Third Mission at WU? Contact us!

thirdmission@wu.ac.at