Martin Wallraff appointed new President of the University of Basel
In its meeting today, the Senate elected Professor Martin Wallraff as the new President of the University of Basel. The University Council promptly approved the decision. The church historian, who was a professor in the Faculty of Theology at the University of Basel from 2005 to 2016, will succeed Professor Andrea Schenker-Wicki on 1 August 2027.
05 November 2026
After 12 years, there is a change in the leadership of the University of Basel: At the start of the 2027/28 academic year, Martin Wallraff, 60, will assume the office of President on 1 August 2027. The term of office is four years.
Martin Wallraff has been professor of early and global Christian history at Ludwig Maximilian University Munich since 2016. His academic career took him from his hometown of Munich to Heidelberg, Cambridge, and finally Bonn, where he completed his habilitation in 2000 at the University of Bonn. After a lengthy research stay in Rome and an interim professorship in Munich, Wallraff was appointed professor of church history at the University of Basel in 2005.
Experience in leadership and academic self-administration
Martin Wallraff has many years of leadership experience in science and academic self-administration. At the University of Basel, he served as Dean of Research and Dean of the Faculty of Theology. In 2013, the European Research Council (ERC) awarded him an Advanced Grant, followed three years later by a Proof of Concept Grant from the ERC.
In Munich, he also later took over the post of Dean of Research and in 2025 became the Dean of the Faculty of Protestant Theology. In addition, he has headed several research institutes and is involved in academic advisory boards and committees.
After multiple meetings, the election preparatory committee decided to propose Martin Wallraff, noting his experience as a proven leader who can represent the university capably both internally and externally vis-à-vis the two supporting cantons and the federal government, and who credibly conveys the impression that he will dedicate his full energy and ingenuity to furthering the interests of the university.
Looking to the future with foresight and energy
“In Martin Wallraff, we welcome the return to our university of a distinguished individual who knows the institution from personal experience and who also brings valuable outside perspectives,” says President of the University Council Aymo Brunetti, describing the qualities of the future President. “The University Council strongly believes that Professor Wallraff will lead the University of Basel into the future with foresight and energy.”
The future President sees great potential for the University of Basel. “With its humanistic tradition and focus on the life sciences, the University of Basel offers great development opportunities,” says Martin Wallraff. “It shapes the three-country region – and is shaped by it in turn.” He is committed to enabling the University of Basel to realize its potential and expand its reach for the benefit of society. “And last but not least, I look forward to working with colleagues, staff and students.”
Martin Wallraff made a good impression on the students and research associates he met during the application process. “We supported this choice because we saw someone who views the university as a community and wants to work with all groups as equals,” the student group representatives emphasize in their statement.
Further information
Matthias Geering, University of Basel, Head of Communications & Marketing, tel: +41 61 207 35 75, mobile: +41 79 269 70 71, email: matthias.geering@unibas.ch
Illustration
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