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Source: https://www.tuwien.at/en/ace/news/news/female-empowerment-at-tu-wien-academy-first-hand-expert-knowledge Parent: https://www.tuwien.at/en/ace/news
- February 2026
Female Empowerment at TU Wien Academy: First-Hand Expert Knowledge
Pure female empowerment at the TU Wien Academy! With Christina Huber (Energy Systems, 2026) and Hannah Gratzer (Environmental Project Management, 2025), two inspiring ETIA alumnae return as lecturers. Discover how these experts use Brussels-based policy expertise and co-creative project ideas to prepare the next generation of leaders for the challenges of the energy transition
The Master’s program Environmental Technology and International Affairs (ETIA) at the TU Wien Academy and the Vienna School of International Studies stands out not only for its interdisciplinary curriculum but, above all, for its powerful network. The vitality of this network is proven by two outstanding alumnae returning to their alma mater as experts to bridge the gap between academic study and global practice.
2026 Impulse: Energy Transition via Brussels
Christina Huber kicked off the year 2026. Arriving directly from the political center of Brussels, she led an intensive course on Energy Transition in January together with Maximilian Frankl. The objective is to provide students with a clear and comprehensive overview of the energy transition – from technical opportunities and challenges to the interplay between energy markets, climate and energy policy, and geopolitics.
ETIA students not only gain insights into European energy policy, but also into the technical functioning of key technologies and their supply chains. This demonstrates that the energy transition extends far beyond political targets, integrating technological, economic, and global dimensions.
Huber, herself a graduate of the ETIA program, sees today’s students as the “diplomats and industry leaders of tomorrow.” Together with Maximilian Frankl, she brings the real-world dimensions of the energy transition into the classroom – from project development and market mechanisms to policy instruments designed to accelerate the transformation. In this way, practical and political expertise is directly integrated into teaching.
Retrospective & Vision: Co-Creativity and Courage
Last year, Hannah Gratzer already set significant milestones in the field of Environmental Project Management. Her approach goes far beyond rigid schedules. Gratzer, who now teaches at all the institutions where she once studied, is passionate about the "power of co-creative idea development."
In her courses, she conveys an essential message to the students:
- Moving beyond perfection: Having the courage to experiment and think outside the box.
- Social Skills: While expertise is the foundation, heart, openness, and humor are the tools for real change.
Women Power as a Driver for Change
These two "Power Women" represent the success of the ETIA model. They bring not only professional excellence but also the conviction that the great ecological challenges of our time can only be solved with courage, empathy, and a strong network.
It is this combination of technical know-how and international experience that paves the way for ETIA graduates—eventually leading them back to TU Wien as inspiring educators
Interested in joining this unique program? Find out more at etia.at