The liberal ÖVP politician and later political scientist at the University of Innsbruck has not only been a formative person of the Austrian political landscape with management functions in administration, government and parliament since the late 1960s, but he also performed the function of the president of the Austrian research community from 1989 to 2013.
In this role, he made essential contributions to offer scientists at the Austrian universities a platform to actively participate in strengthening interdisciplinary research and the further development of science and research policy. He was convinced of the central role of science for the modernization and democratic development of state and society.
He fought for this social role of science and especially the “Scientific Community” in all of its political functions. During his time as President of the ÖFG, working groups were established on topics such as “Paths to Civil Society” in Austria “,” The Future of Democracy “and” Education and Education “. With his rich experience as a parliamentarian and member of the government, he has motivated the scientific advisory board of the ÖFG and countless young researchers to critically support and successfully support reform measures from Austrian universities for more autonomy and internationalization.
Until the end of his life, he remained connected to the science -political goals of the ÖFG, which he was shaped by himself. The scientific advisory board and the Presidium of the Austrian Research Foundation will always keep him in an honorary memory. Our sympathy applies to his family and all of his friends in all political camps and scientific institutions.
Austrian research community
Katharina Koch-Trappel, MSc.
Secretary General
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