Sabine Seidler: The first female rector of the TU Vienna honored in a portrait!

Sabine Seidler: The first female rector of the TU Vienna honored in a portrait!

An important day for the Vienna University of Technology: On November 5, 2025, the portrait of Prof. Sabine Seidler was ceremoniously unveiled in the Rector's Gallery. Seidler, who went down in history as the first female professor, vice-rector and rector of the TU Vienna, was accompanied by numerous companions, former colleagues and her family. The inauguration took place in October and once again strengthens the position of women in science.

Prof. Sabine Seidler has impressively paved her way in the academic world. Her academic career began at the Leuna-Merseburg University of Technology, where she graduated in 1984 with a diploma in polymer materials technology. After completing her doctorate in 1989, she worked at the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg and gained valuable experience through research stays at the Ruhr University Bochum. In 1997 she completed her habilitation in materials engineering and in 1996 became the first woman to be appointed to a full professorship at the TU Vienna.

A trailblazer for women in science

From 2001 to 2007, Seidler headed the Institute for Materials Science and Technology and was the university's first female rector until 2023. Her term of office was characterized by groundbreaking developments in research, teaching and university policy. For her commitment she received, among other things, the H.F. Mark Medal 2014 and the Great Gold Medal of Honor of the Republic of Austria 2024. As MINT representative for the city of Vienna, she continues to advocate for the promotion of women in technical professions, because historically women have often experienced underrepresentation in science and technology, as Wikipedia describes.

A look at the structure and importance of women in society shows that the term “Frau” comes from the Old High German “frouwa” and is traditionally used as a polite title for adult women, the plural form being “Frauen”. This development is also reflected in history: women have redefined roles in society and science over the centuries. In the 20th century, especially after gaining the right to vote, women worked hard to achieve legal and social equality, as TheFreeDictionary shows.

A sign of recognition

The portrait of Prof. Sabine Seidler, which was designed by the artist Lisl Spurny-Schwarzmüller, is more than just a painting. It symbolizes the achievements and ongoing challenges faced by women in academic and technical careers. The overall picture of the Rector's Gallery at the TU Vienna includes 108 portraits since 1866 and focuses on the associated history and influence of women in the academic world.

The unveiling of this portrait will celebrate and inspire the importance and journey of women in science, which remains highly relevant today. Prof. Seidler remains not only a role model, but also a pioneer who paves the way for future generations.