University

Ars Docendi 2026 State Prize and Recognition Prize

10/09/2026

Two WU courses were honored at the Ars Docendi 2026 awards ceremony on September 8, 2026, at the Austrian Academy of Sciences.

Bettina Wittmann from the Institute for Interactive Marketing and Social Media received the Ars Docendi State Prize in the category “Quality Culture, Student-Centeredness, and Studyability” [Qualitätskultur, Studierendenzentrierung und Studierbarkeit] for her course “Revolutionize Digital Marketing Techniques with AI & Smart Tools: Convert Customers to Raving Fans”. Julia Riess and Michael Posch from the Institute for Business Education were awarded a recognition prize in the category “Research-Based or Art-Led Teaching” [Forschungsbezogene bzw. Kunstgeleitete Lehre] for the “Forschungsseminar Wirtschaftspädagogik II”.

The two award-winning courses represent different approaches to innovative and student-centered higher education teaching: While Bettina Wittmann guides students in a practical way into the world of digital marketing and the reflective use of artificial intelligence, Julia Riess and Michael Posch accompany students on their step-by-step journey toward conducting independent empirical research.

We cordially congratulate the award winners!

Ars Docendi State Prize for the Teaching Project „Revolutionize Digital Marketing Techniques with AI & Smart Tools: Convert Customers to Raving Fans“

[Translate to English:] Ars docendi

BMFWF/Sebastian Judtmann

In her course, Bettina Wittmann combines digital marketing with artificial intelligence and a strongly student-centered learning environment. In a simulated digital agency, students take on various roles tailored to their interests, goals, and prior experience, work on realistic business challenges, and also develop individual learning tutorials. These tutorials are peer-reviewed by the students and collected in a cross-semester knowledge archive. This allows subsequent cohorts to benefit from the experiences and knowledge of their peers. AI is not only used as a working tool but is also critically examined in terms of its opportunities and limitations.

More information on the awarded teaching project

Ars Docendi Recognition Prize for the Teaching Project „Forschungsseminar Wirtschaftspädagogik II“

[Translate to English:] ars docendi

BMFWF/Sebastian Judtmann

Julia Riess and Michael Posch guide students step by step toward conducting independent empirical research. Starting from the shared research field of financial education, students develop their own research questions and go through the entire research process—supported by input, feedback, coaching, and peer learning. The shared theoretical framework provided by the Theory of Planned Behavior (Ajzen, 1991) offers guidance and demonstrates how theories can be applied to address empirical questions. Through the phased instructional design, students gradually take on more responsibility for making informed research decisions. This builds a bridge to independent scholarly work.

More information on the awarded teaching project 

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