inventions. The corporation has topped the Austrian patent
office rankings for many years.
Helmut List also advocates for excellent collaboration be-
tween universities and the industry, supporting, among other
things, the establishment of Christian Doppler Laboratories
and competence centers in Austria. He has held the position
of university council chair at Graz University of Technology for
ten years. Moreover, he was also actively involved in the foun-
dation of the Styrian technical colleges in 1995 and the Styrian
university conference.
Of particular importance in Helmut List’s work is his strong
commitment to Europe by actively shaping the areas of
research, innovation, and economics. Since Austria’s acces-
sion to the EU, he has shared his view of innovation with
several committees on the topic of research and technology
development. For example, he has been involved as Chairman
of IRDAC, the European Commission’s main advisory body
for industrial research and technology development, as Vice
Chairman of ERTRAC (European Road Transport Research
Advisory Council), and Chairman of SSTAG (Sustainable Sur-
face Transport Advisory Group). The focus of these and other
committees is on linking technological topics with applicability
to society and sustainability.
Helmut List built a bridge between science and art with the
opening of Helmut List Halle in Graz in 2003. The acoustic
brilliance of the hall was defined by the collaboration of AVL
scientists and international artists (Nikolaus Harnoncourt,
Beat Furrer, Bernhard Lang).
The AVL Cultural Foundation was founded by Helmut List
and his wife Kathryn in 2007 – and she has been managing
the foundation with great dedication and passion ever since.
Following the guiding principle that technical innovation and
artistic creativity have important things in common, art has
now been connected with technology for many years and
supports a wide variety of art and cultural projects, especially
in the areas of the avant-garde and art and science.
In memory of his father, Helmut List also supports students of
technical fields who are involved in scientific work in the field
of vehicle propulsion systems and vehicle technology as well
as related areas, through the Hans List Fund.
1987
Honorary citizenship of the University of Graz
1992
Awarding of the title “Professor” by the Austrian Ministry of Science,
on the recommendation of the Technical University of Vienna
1993
Honorary doctorate in engineering sciences at the Technical
University of Dresden, Germany
1994
Honorary senator, University of Graz
1997
Honorary professor, University of Tongji, China
1997
Josef Krainer Award, governor of Styria
1999
Honorary professor, University of Jilin, China
2000
Rosthorn Medal, Austrian government
2002
Honorary Ring, city of Graz
2003
Exner Medal, Austrian Association for Small and Medium-Sized
Enterprises (SME)
2005
Grand Decoration of Styria, Styrian provincial government
2007
Colin Trust Prize
2010
Grand Gold Decoration of Styria, Styrian provincial government
2012
Austrian Cross of Honor for Science and Art, 1st class
2013
Archduke Johann Ring of Honor, Graz University of Technology
2014
FISITA Medal
2015
Large gold medal of honor with the star of the state of Styria
2017
Archduke Johann Research Award, Styrian Economic Chamber
2017
Hermes Business Award, Federal Ministry of Science, Research, and
Economy, Austrian Economic Chamber, leading Austrian companies
2022
Councilor of Commerce (professional title, awarded by the Federal
President of Austria for services to the Republic)
2023
Honorary citizen of the city of Graz
Prof. Helmut List
Honors and Accolades
SPECIAL EDITION