Barbara Sporn

Barbara Sporn is Professor of Higher Education Management and heads the Institute for Higher Education Management at WU Vienna University of Economics and Business. She served as Vice-Rector for Research, International Affairs and External Relations (2002-2015) and currently holds multiple leadership roles including Deputy Program Director of the Master of Science Program 'Strategy, Innovation, and Management Control' and Academic Lead for the Strategic Management Track in the Cross Functional Management Program.

• Director of EFMD Programme Accreditation (European Foundation for Management Development)
• Fellow at The Steinhardt Institute for Higher Education Policy (New York University)
• Former Visiting Professor at University of Zurich, New York University, Columbia University, and Stanford University

Her research focuses on leadership and organizational structures in higher education, university adaptation, globalization of education systems, and international comparative studies. She has published extensively in these areas, particularly on university governance transformations and global policy frameworks.

She is actively involved in international advisory boards for institutions including LUISS School of Business (Italy), NOVA Business School (Portugal), and Solvay Brussels School. She also serves on the management board of CEIBS (China).

Scientific Awards:

• 2015 Großes Ehrenzeichen für Verdienste um die Republik Österreich
• 1999 Research Award from Senator Wilhelm Wilfling Stiftung
• 1999 Best Paper Award from German Academic Association for Business Research