UNI NOVA – Research Magazine of the University of Basel

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  Alumni

  Hooked on politics.

  Text: Marion Maurer / In his youth, An Lac Truong Dinh memorized the names of Switzerland’s parliament members. Today, the Basel alumnus works as a political advisor to Swiss Federal Council member Elisabeth Baume-Schneider.

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  Alumni

  “I wish we were braver as a Church.”

  Interview: AlumniBasel* / Priscilla Schwendimann came to Basel to study theology. Today, as a pastor in the Reformed Church, she advocates for joyful and empowering faith.

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  Research

  Democracy in the digital age.

  Text: Christian R. Ulbrich, legal scholar* / Christian R. Ulbrich combines his interest in computer technology with jurisprudence and examines the question of how digitalization influences political power relations.

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  Research

  Is there such a thing as “migraine weather”?

  Text: Athina Papadopoulou and Marcus D'Souza / Those plagued by headaches know it well. Yet, the medical literature does not have a consensus on the connection between weather and migraines. An overview.

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  In conversation

  “Peace is a controversial term these days.”

  Interview: Urs Hafner / Our world is again becoming dominated by war. It is especially during the hottest phases of conflicts that well-informed, level-headed discourse is most crucial, says Dana Landau of swisspeace.

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  Dossier

  The art of deception.

  Text: Christoph Dieffenbacher / Many museums and collections have forged artworks hanging on their walls. Accomplished copies can sell for millions and even impact art historians.

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  Dossier

  A half-truth is often believed.

  Interview: Noëmi Kern / Literary scholar Nicola Gess studies narratives that may sound convincing but are only partially true. In times of crises, these half-truths tend to thrive.

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  Dossier

  Staging is just part of the game.

  Text: Harun Maye / The media have a significant impact on all election campaigns and distort reality. Media Studies scholar Harun Maye sees no harm in this.

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  Dossier

  Testimony of a machine.

  Text: Angelika Jacobs / Smart software constantly monitors us and provides key evidence in court cases. But does it always tell the truth? This is a question the justice system now faces with increasing regularity.