Under the theme ‘European law as a bridge – law, values and responsibility in a united Europe’, Dr Natalie Harsdorf was formally awarded the honorary professorship on 7 September 2026 in the attic of the Juridicum. Dean Univ.-Prof. Dr Brigitta Zöchling-Jud opened the evening, outlining the role of honorary professorships and the high qualification requirements.
Federal Minister Eva-Maria Holzleitner paid tribute to Natalie Harsdorf’s career, her role as the first woman to head the authority and her influence as a role model: She not only teaches European law but lives it – the honorary professorship allows this influence to extend beyond the lecture theatre.
EU Commissioner Dr Magnus Brunner emphasised her return to the place where she studied and highlighted that Harsdorf gives competition law in Austria ‘a face and a voice’ – one that is understandable even to non-lawyers. Competition is a collective good that safeguards the functioning of the single market.
The President of the Administrative Court, Dr Albert Posch, demonstrated how well the honorary professorship fits into Harsdorf’s career. Referring to shared experiences – such as the Donau-Chemie case – he recalled her early, powerful plea before the European Court of Justice. Harsdorf builds three bridges: between EU and national law, academia and practice, and the Austrian competition community and international networks.
Professor Thomas Jaeger highlighted Harsdorf’s long-standing association with the Institute – from her time as part of the ELMC team and as a research assistant to her extensive teaching and examination work in European and competition law. She was often ‘the first’ – both in the roles she took on and in the ideas she put forward.
Dr Ingo Brinker, barrister (Antitrust Law Study Association), emphasised the importance of building bridges between practitioners across Europe: mutual respect as a core value – a quality that Harsdorf embodies. Open dialogue in forums such as the ICN and ECN is a particular priority for her; recent developments, such as the US Supreme Court’s ‘Slaughter’ ruling, demonstrate just how important the European approach of embedding the rule of law is.
Following the ceremonial presentation by Dean Zöchling-Jud, Honorary Professor Dr Natalie Harsdorf expressed her gratitude for the trust placed in her and for the close cooperation between the university, the legal profession and various institutions. At the reception that followed, the evening drew to a close with numerous discussions on the future of European law and competition
Photo: (f.l.t.r.) EU Commissioner Dr Magnus Brunner, LL.M., Federal Minister Eva-Maria Holzleitner, BSc, Hon. Prof. Natalie Harsdorf, Univ.-Prof. Dr Thomas Jaeger, Dean Univ.-Prof. Dr Brigitta Zöchling-Jud, President of the Administrative Court Dr Albert Posch, LL.M.