Senate discusses selection criteria for the next president
At its final meeting of the spring semester, the Senate discussed the criteria according to which the successor to President Professor Andrea Schenker-Wicki should be assessed. Vice President Professor Nadja Braun Binder also announced that she will not stand for a second term in office and intends to return to her professorship at the Faculty of Law starting in the fall semester of 2027.
22 May 2026
The job advertisement has been published, and the first applications have already been received: interested candidates still have just under one month to apply for the position of President of the University of Basel. Against this backdrop, the Senate discussed the criteria by which the candidates should be evaluated.
One important qualification identified was a strong sensitivity to the Basel area's regional political landscape. Candidates are also expected to demonstrate an understanding of the differing needs of the faculties, as well as an awareness of the tension between the aspirations of a comprehensive university and the strategic focus on selected priority areas, particularly in the life sciences. Finally, candidates should be able to contextualize current societal transformation processes and reflect on their impact on research and teaching.
The suggestions were taken up by the Chair of the Senate, Professor Daniela Thurnherr Keller, and will be discussed further within the election preparatory committee.
New leadership for the Vice President’s Office for People & Culture
Vice President Nadja Braun Binder informed the Senate that she will not be available for another term in office and will again devote herself fully to her professorship beginning in the fall semester of 2027. Nadja Braun Binder explained that this was not a decision against the office, but rather in favor of her professorship at the Faculty of Law. If possible, the position is to be filled internally.
The position will be advertised during the fall semester of 2026, with the timeline coordinated so that the new President will already have been appointed by the time the selection process takes place. This will ensure that the new President can be involved in the appointment process.
Senate awards Venia docendi
At the request of three faculties, the Senate has granted the following individuals the degree of Dr. habil. and the Venia docendi. These scholars are thus authorized to use the title of lecturer (Privatdozent) and the academic degree of Dr. habil.
Faculty of Medicine
- PD Dr. Kaspar Bachmann for critical care medicine (with simultaneous “Umhabilitation”, transfer of authorization to teach)
- Dr. Dr. Alexandros Polymeris for neurology
- Dr. Michael Rost for bioethics and medical ethics
- Dr. Andreas Michael Schmitt for medical oncology
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
- Dr. Doris Leibetseder for gender studies
Faculty of Psychology
- Dr. Sebastian Olschewski for psychology
