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Senate nominates Thomas Maissen for the University Council

Three adults standing indoors in front of a window with greenery outside. The two women are wearing formal blazers, one light blue and one dark blue, and the man in the middle is wearing a dark suit jacket with an open-collared white shirt. All three are smiling.
The Senate has nominated Professor Thomas Maissen for a second term as a member of the University Council, supported by the President, Professor Andrea Schenker-Wicki, and the Senate Chair, Professor Daniela Thurnherr Keller. (Photo: University of Basel, Dominik Plüss)

The Senate ceremonially re-elected historian Professor Thomas Maissen as an academic representative on the University Council. This election has yet to be confirmed by the cantonal governments of Basel-Landschaft and Basel-Stadt. The committee also awarded 12 people the title of Dr. habil. and the Venia docendi.

23 September 2025

Three adults standing indoors in front of a window with greenery outside. The two women are wearing formal blazers, one light blue and one dark blue, and the man in the middle is wearing a dark suit jacket with an open-collared white shirt. All three are smiling.
The Senate has nominated Professor Thomas Maissen for a second term as a member of the University Council, supported by the President, Professor Andrea Schenker-Wicki, and the Senate Chair, Professor Daniela Thurnherr Keller. (Photo: University of Basel, Dominik Plüss)

Thomas Maissen’s reappointment was not disputed in any way, but before his election there was a lively discussion about the role of the academic representative on the University Council. According to the University Statute, the Senate has the right to propose to the cantonal governments of Basel-Landschaft and Basel-Stadt the election of a voting member of the University Council. The Senate meeting on September 18 provided an opportunity for this committee to discuss topics such as the financing of the university and its status as a comprehensive university.

In his review of the past four years, Thomas Maissen praised the work of the President’s Office, as well as the University Council and other university committees. He sees the short distances between the university management and the supporting cantons as an advantage – as a history professor at Heidelberg University, he can draw a direct comparison here.

Thomas Maissen sees the discussions about academic freedom in the context of authoritarian governments as a challenge for the future. Maissen also underlined the importance of the European peace order for science. Finally, the historian is worried about the financial situation. “I’m afraid it’s not going to get any better,” he says.

Thomas Maissen is a professor of modern history, specialising in the early modern period, at Heidelberg University. At the end of October, he and the other members of the University Council for the performance period 2026–2029 will be elected by the governments of the two supporting cantons.

Senate awards Venia docendi

At the request of the Faculty of Medicine and the Faculty of Science, the Senate has awarded 12 people the degree of Dr habil. and the Venia docendi. This authorizes the researchers to use the title of lecturer (Privatdozent) and the academic degree of Dr. habil.

Faculty of Medicine
  • Dr. Martin Diebold for Neurology
  • Dr. Fahim Ebrahimi for Hepatology
  • Dr. Roberto Giannì Barrera for Experimental Medicine
  • Dr. Verena Gotta for Experimental Medicine
  • PD Dr. Anne Guhn for Experimental Psychiatry and Psychotherapy (simultaneous “Umhabilitation”, transfer of authorization to teach)
  • Dr. Jürgen Hench for Neuro- and Muscle Pathology
  • PD Dr. Dr. Lukas Benedikt Seifert for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (simultaneous “Umhabilitation”)
  • Dr. Stephanie Gerda Erika Taha-Mehlitz for Visceral Surgery
  • PD Dr. Benjamin Weixler for Surgery (simultaneous “Umhabilitation”)
  • Dr. Tatjana Welzel for Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine
Faculty of Science
  • Dr. Aita Signorell for Epidemiology
  • Dr. Dorota Barbara Wojtczak for Prehistory

In addition, at the request of the Faculty of Medicine, the Senate awarded the degree of Dr. habil. to Dr. Tobias Christian Silzle for hematology.

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