My name is Pia-Marie Graves, I am 25 years old and studying Biomedical Engineering at TU Wien. About three years ago, I started getting involved in the Physics student association, where I quickly joined various committees – such as appointment and curriculum committees – and focused intensively on advising students. Shortly after, I became involved in the Department for Equal Treatment and Feminism at HTU Wien. Today, I am part of the Student Representation for Technical Physics and a member of the chair team of the Student Union at TU Wien (HTU Wien).
As a first-generation student, my goal is to enable genuinely open access to higher education – not just on paper. Lived equality, for me, means promoting marginalized groups as well as raising awareness among all members of the university community. Additionally, strengthening student associations and grassroots groups is especially close to my heart, because strong local representation is essential for effective ÖH work.
Through my involvement, I have learned to know my rights in my studies and to stand up for them – and above all, to advocate for other students as well. I have gained self-confidence, learned to use my resources strategically, and to examine issues from multiple perspectives with a combination of empathy and experience. Besides equality, mental health and sustainability are particularly important concerns for me.
In the coming two years, I want to make ÖH work more visible, strengthen local representation efforts, and tirelessly fight for equal opportunities at all universities, universities of applied sciences, and teacher training colleges. Every form of discrimination must be prevented – for a fair, inclusive, and sustainable higher education landscape.