Stefanie Lindstaedt is Founding Rector of the IT:U Interdisciplinary Transformation University in Linz, Austria.

Before that, she was the Head of the Institute for Interactive Systems & Data Science (ISDS) at Graz University of Technology and CEO of Know-Center (www.know-center.at), a leading research center for data-driven business and Big Data analytics in Austria.

Stefanie earned her habilitation in computer science from Graz University of Technology, where she has been teaching since 2002. She holds an MS and a PhD in computer science from the University of Colorado at Boulder (USA). Stefanie works as an interdisciplinary researcher in the fields of data-driven business and adaptive systems. Her research focus is the integration of data-driven approaches (e.g., machine learning, neural networks) with knowledge-based models (e.g., ontologies, engineering models) and human computer interaction.

In addition, Stefanie has extensive industry experience in process and technical consulting, solution sales, marketing and organizational development for international companies.

Stefanie has published more than 150 scientific papers. Since 2010 she has been general chair of the I-Know conference series. Stefanie has an excellent track record in obtaining EU and Austrian funding and in leading large interdisciplinary research projects and groups.