Thomas Estermann is Director for Governance, Funding and Public Policy Development with responsibilities for EUA’s work aimed at strengthening universities’ autonomy, governance, leadership, management and their financial sustainability.
Thomas is actively involved in various European and national committees, expert groups, editorial boards, and advisory boards, including those of European university alliances. He regularly contributes to higher education management programs and recently developed the EUA Leadership Development Programme to equip senior university leaders with the leadership tools to drive transformation in higher education. He has provided guidance in multiple national higher education reform processes in Europe and beyond and has authored publications on university funding, governance, leadership, and management.
Prior to joining EUA in 2007, he held the position of Deputy University Director at the University of Music and Performing Arts, Vienna. During this time, he served as a member of the university’s senate and was involved in several significant higher education reforms in Austria. Before entering the University, he pursued a career as a lawyer.
He holds a master’s degree in law from the University of Vienna.