ACM is the world's largest scientific computer society, bringing computer scientists at companies, in academia, and in the educational sector together from around the globe. Prof. Kotsis’ opposing candidate was Google Vice-President Elisabeth Churchill. Prof. Kotsis considers being elected president as international recognition for computer sciences at the Johannes Kepler University of Linz and remarked: "Just being nominated was a great, very unexpected honor. My opponent at Google is very well-known and I did not have high expectations. This is all the more reason to be thrilled that I, a JKU scientist and Austrian, will be the first non-Anglo-American president."

JKU Rector Meinhard Lukas also believes Prof. Kotsis’ election confirms the JKU’s forward-thinking strategies. "Trail-blazers move away from comfortable and familiar paths in order to forge new paths. At the JKU, we support the courage and willingness to think outside of the box and bring about innovation. This environment and a constant willingness to innovate creates people like Prof. Gabriele Kotsis who have a formative influence beyond this country’s borders. I would like to congratulate her on this election and wish her all the best for her term in office."

During her term as president, Kotsis wants to focus more on the know-how and expertise of the ACM members. "No other area has more influence to shape the coming times and future technologies," the JKU researcher emphasized. "Worldwide problems must be tackled globally and independent from individual interests. Whether it’s climate change, medical research, or preserving democracy: the ACM has the potential to be an ethical pioneer in all areas of computer science."

About Prof. Kotsis

Born in 1967, Gabriele Kotsis studied Business Informatics in Vienna, also earning her doctorate degree there with distinction. She has been at the JKU since 2002, heading the Institute for Telecooperation. Prof. Kotsis also served as Vice-Rector for Research between 2007 and 2015. As a founding member of ACM Europe, she has received numerous awards for her research, including the "femtech Expert / Researcher of the Month" and the Heinz Zemanek Award.