[1] In October 2017 Karl was named vice-rector of the Pädagogische Hochschule Steiermark [de] (University College of Teacher Education Styria) with responsibility for research and development.

[2] Karl unsuccessfully ran in the 2005 Styrian state election for the Austrian People's Party (ÖVP).

[1] On 26 January 2010 Karl was appointed to the cabinet of Werner Faymann, succeeding Johannes Hahn as Federal Minister for Science and Research.

[3] She made plans to re-introduce nationwide tuition fees for all university students, among other cost-saving measures.

Critics accused her of ignoring the presumption of innocence,[6] experts stated that lengthy pre-trial detention for minors was unacceptable.