Hochschule Campus Wien: Agnes Sturma is new Head of the Department of Health Sciences
As of August 2026, Dr. scient. med. Agnes Sturma, BSc MSc has been appointed Head of the Department of Health Sciences at Hochschule Campus Wien. In addition to this role, she will continue to serve as Head of the Bachelor's Degree Programme in Physiotherapy. She succeeds Prof. Andrea Hofbauer, MSc MBA, who has significantly shaped the department's development over recent years and will retire in autumn 2026.
From graduate to Head of Department
Agnes Sturma has been closely associated with Hochschule Campus Wien for many years. She graduated from the Bachelor's Degree Programme in Physiotherapy in 2011, followed by a Master's Degree in Health Assisting Engineering in 2014. From 2012 onwards, she worked at the Medical University of Vienna in the Clinical Laboratory for Bionic Extremity Reconstruction, where she combined physiotherapeutic patient care with the development and scientific evaluation of innovative treatment concepts.
Following her Master's degree, she continued this work during her doctoral studies in Applied Medical Sciences while maintaining her clinical practice. At the same time, she returned to Hochschule Campus Wien as a lecturer and researcher in the Health Assisting Engineering programme, which she also led on an interim basis from 2015 to 2016. She subsequently held research positions at the Medical University of Vienna and Imperial College London. Since 2022, she has headed the Bachelor's Degree Programme in Physiotherapy, strengthening evidence-based teaching and the close integration of theory and clinical practice.
With her appointment as Head of Department, Agnes Sturma now assumes responsibility for the largest department at Hochschule Campus Wien. She describes the combination of high-quality teaching, practical orientation and strong research as an excellent foundation for further developing the health professions of the future together with her team.
Commitment to research and the advancement of healthcare professions
Agnes Sturma is recognised as an expert in rehabilitation following nerve surgery and in the functional restoration of limbs after severe injuries or amputations. Her scientific work focuses on the rehabilitation of nerve injuries and advanced prosthetic technologies. Her research is characterised by an interdisciplinary approach that combines innovative surgical procedures with modern rehabilitation technologies, supported by her academic background at TU Wien.
Recognised expertise in research and the professional community
Her expertise is reflected in numerous presentations at national and international conferences, publications in conference proceedings, specialist books and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Several international awards recognise her contribution to advancing the field. Alongside her academic work, she is actively involved in the Austrian Physiotherapy Association (Physio Austria) as a founding member and coordinator of its Physiotherapy Research Network.
An interprofessional foundation for the future
According to Rector Heimo Sandtner, the Department of Health Sciences combines an exceptional breadth of disciplines and therefore requires leadership that combines scientific excellence with strategic vision. He highlighted Agnes Sturma's extensive research experience, leadership skills and strong institutional ties while thanking Andrea Hofbauer for her long-standing commitment to the department and the university.
Andrea Hofbauer also reflected on the department's progress in strengthening interprofessional collaboration and research orientation, expressing confidence that Agnes Sturma will successfully continue its development.
Department of Health Sciences
The Department of Health Sciences at Hochschule Campus Wien brings together all seven regulated higher medical-technical professions in Austria – Biomedical Science, Dietetics, Occupational Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy, Orthoptics, Physiotherapy and Radiological Technology – as well as Midwifery. The department also offers the Master's programmes Health Studies and Health Assisting Engineering, several postgraduate university programmes, and includes the Research Centres for Health Sciences and Digital Health and Care.
With more than 9,000 students, Hochschule Campus Wien is Austria's largest University of Applied Sciences, offering almost 70 full-time and part-time degree programmes across a broad range of disciplines while combining education with application-oriented research and continuing professional development.
Kontakt
Hochschule Campus Wien
Franziska Salcher, MA
Public Relations
Telefon: +43 1 606 68 77-6426
E-Mail: franziska.salcher@hcw.ac.at
Website: www.hcw.ac.at