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University Networks, Interfaculty Platforms & Institutes
The University of Basel attaches great importance to interdisciplinary cooperation between its faculties, departments and divisions. Due to the different cultures and perspectives, fruitful collaborations result in terms of research and innovation potential. Within a broader framework, universities of applied sciences and other institutions are also involved.
Research Networks of the University of Basel
At the university level, the instrument of research networks has been created to promote cooperation and networking among research groups that wish to intensify and expand their collaboration beyond the boundaries of the departments. Networks are organized bottom-up, are self-financing and use synergies to intensify and develop their scientific activities. An application for the establishment of a research network can be submitted to the Vice Rectorate Research by at least five members of Groupings I or II of the University of Basel from at least two different departments.
University research networks can apply to the Research Fund of the University of Basel for financial support to carry out scientific activities of the network. These are assessed by the Research Commission and approved by the Rectorate. Eligible activities include the organization of conferences and symposia, guest lectures, lecture series, visiting scientist programs, workshops, scientific retreats, and scientific outreach, provided that they serve to fulfill the objectives of the network, to link disciplines and to achieve international visibility.
Recognized Research Networks of the University of Basel
Responsible Digital Society
In recent years, the digital transformation has led to massive changes. The application of deep learning-based approaches to data analysis is advancing scientific knowledge at a rapid pace, providing solutions to long-standing problems and leading to new insights that seemed unimaginable only a short time ago. In contrast, critical discourse in the society seems to be lagging behind the rapid technological changes. Given the pervasiveness of the applications, it is crucial to conduct an accompanying interdisciplinary discussion at the societal, legal, ethical, psychological, political, and economic levels, to guide the responsible application of novel methods in all these various areas, and to identify opportunities and risks. A modern digital society should be able to use these new technologies in an opportune, yet critical and responsible way.
The goal of the Responsible Digital Society research network is to create a platform for a critical, interdisciplinary, and proactive discourse on all aspects of digital transformation within the university and beyond and to support the scientific exchange on methods of artificial intelligence and data-driven research (Data Science) and their application.
The research network involves researchers from the Faculties of Sciences, Humanities and Social Sciences, Law, Medicine, Economics, Theology, and Psychology at the University of Basel, as well as researchers from the University Hospital Basel.
Steering Board: Prof. Dr. Stefanie Bailer, Prof. Dr. Nadja Braun Binder, PD Dr. Peter Fornaro, Christine Meier, Prof. Dr. Volker Roth, Prof. Dr. Fabian Schär
Chair: Prof. Dr. Heiko Schuldt
Vice Chair: Prof. Dr. Maria Katapodi
Contact: responsible-digital-society@unibas.ch
Sustainable Future
The Sustainable Future (SF) research network strengthens and networks the various research initiatives and projects in the field of sustainability research at the University of Basel across the boundaries of departments and faculties, thus forming a regional center of excellence.
As a socially and strategically important research area, sustainability research requires intensive interdisciplinary cooperation. The network coordinates this collaboration through an intensive exchange between the groups involved (and external partners) and supports the development of larger interdisciplinary research projects. The current focus is on the areas of «non-technical energy research», «(bio-)diversity» and «digitalization» and on the interfaces between these topics.
In addition to the organization of pure research activities, the «Sustainable Future» network is also involved in topic-specific knowledge transfer and public relations work, thereby increasing the visibility of sustainability research at the University of Basel.
Researchers from the Faculty of Business and Economics, the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, the Faculty of Science and Theology and the Faculty of Psychology are involved in the research network.
Directors: Prof. Dr. Frank C. Krysiak, Prof. Dr. Patricia Holm, Prof. Dr. Paul Burger, Dr. Annika Sohre
Contact: sustainable-future@unibas.ch
Law and Religion
The Research Network Law and Religion (FNRR) deals with issues at the interface between law and religion. The network attaches great importance to the academic monitoring of current problems in society, such as religious symbols in the public and in companies, the legal status of religious communities and their relationship to the state, and the sociological dynamics of the multi-religious topography and its consequences.
The FNRR involves researchers from the Faculty of Law and the Department of Religious Studies of the Faculty of Theology and the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences of the University of Basel. Members of the Faculty of Law of the University of Zurich, the Department for the Study of Religion of the University of Lucerne and the Faculty of Law of the University of Fribourg are also involved.
Directors: Prof. Dr. Felix Hafner, Prof. Dr. Jürgen Mohn, Prof. Dr. Bijan Fateh-Moghadam
Contact: Prof. Dr. Jürgen Mohn
Basel Stem Cell Network (BSCN)
The Basel Stem Cell Network (BSCN) has set itself the goal of advancing stem cell research in biomedicine, cancer research and in the fields of metabolic diseases, geriatric and regenerative medicine. More than 50 research groups deal with stem cell based topics that are also of interest to laboratories and the pharmaceutical industry.
The BSCN involves scientists working at the department Biomedicine of the Medical Faculty and the department Biozentrum of the Faculty of Science at the University of Basel, the Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering (D-BSSE) of the ETH Zurich in Basel, the Friedrich Miescher Institute, the Department of Hematology of the University Hospital Basel, Novartis and Roche.
Director: Prof. Dr. Fiona Doetsch
Neuroscience Network Basel (NNB)
The Neuroscience Network Basel (NNB) promotes the exchange of information between basic research, biomedical and clinical research. It organizes interdisciplinary collaborations, promotes the introduction of new treatment concepts and makes trends in brain research known.
Researchers from the Faculty of Science, the Faculty of Medicine and the Faculty of Psychology at the University of Basel as well as scientist of the University Hospital Basel and the Friedrich Miescher Institute are involved in the network. Furthermore, the NNB closely collaborates with the tri-national Neuroscience Upper Rhine Network Neurex.
Director: Prof. Dr. Josef Bischofberger
Contact: neuro@unibas.ch
University of Basel Immunology Community (UBICO)
At the University of Basel Immunology Community (UBICO), numerous research groups deal with topics of basic and translational research. For example, they investigate the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases like arthritis, diabetes or MS, antibiotic resistance and metabolic diseases. Through interactive collaboration of researchers from different disciplines, new therapeutic strategies are developed in connection with clinical medicine.
The Immunology Community involves 34 research groups from the Departments of Biomedicine and Biozentrum at the University of Basel, the University Hospital Basel, the University Children's Hospital Basel (UKBB) and the Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering (D-BSSE) of ETH Zurich in Basel.
Director: Prof. Dr. Anne-Katrin Pröbstel
Contact: Paula Cullen Baumann
Personalized Health Basel
The Personalized Health Basel (PHB) research initiative is a joint project of the University of Basel, the University Hospital Basel and the University Children's Hospital Basel (UKBB). The network promotes and develops personalized medicine for the benefit of patients, research and society by harmonizing existing processes and establishing new infrastructures in information technology and biobanks. Through research collaboration in national and international networks, the Basel region is increasingly becoming an excellent research hub where the population also benefits from personalized healthcare. Personalized Health Basel coordinates its strategy and activities with research groups in Zurich within the Personalized Health Alliance Basel-Zurich and with national initiatives as the Swiss Personalized Health Network (SPHN).
Director: Dr. Bram Stieltjes
Contact: Dr. Cristina Golfieri
Interfaculty Platforms and Institutes
At the University of Basel, research groups from various disciplines have joined forces to create synergies through joint activities and to conduct both basic research and develop possible applications. The institutes and platforms offer a broad spectrum of inter- and transdisciplinary research and cooperation.
Research Platform Molecular and Cognitive Neuroscience
The Research Platform Molecular and Cognitive Neurosciences (MCN) of the University of Basel is a thriving hub for neuroscience-oriented psychiatric research. MCN focuses on the molecular, neurobiological and neural underpinnings of human emotional and cognitive processes and the development of novel treatment options for neuropsychiatric disorders. MCN is affiliated with the Psychiatric University Clinics of the Medical Faculty. Members of MCN have backgrounds in various disciplines, including psychiatry, biology, genetics, psychology, mathematics, and engineering.
Directors: Prof. Dr. Andreas Papassotiropoulos, Prof. Dr. Dominique de Quervain
Swiss Nanoscience Institute (SNI)
The Swiss Nanoscience Institute (SNI) at the University of Basel is a center of excellence for nanoscience and nanotechnology. It emerged from the National Center of Competence in Research «Nanoscale Science - Impact on Life Sciences, Sustainability, Information and Communication Technologies» (2001-2013) and was founded in 2006 by the Canton of Aargau and the University of Basel to promote research, education and technology transfer in nanosciences and nanotechnology in Northwestern Switzerland.
Director: Prof. Dr. Christian Schönenberger
Contact: Claudia Wirth
Centre for African Studies (ZASB)
The Centre for African Studies Basel (ZASB) is based on a long tradition in the Basel region and is an internationally recognized coordination center of the University of Basel for interdisciplinary African research. It forms an interface for exchange between the various disciplines and faculties as well as the non-university partner institutions in the research network Africa. The Graduate Network African Studies of the ZASB supports doctoral students from different faculties of the University of Basel and coordinates joint activities with other universities in cooperation with the Swiss Society for African Studies (SSAS).
Director: Dr. Veit Arlt
Contact: Dr. Pascal Schmid
Bernoulli Network for the Behavioral Sciences
The Bernoulli Network for the Behavioral Sciences is a joint initiative of the Faculty of Psychology and the Faculty of Economics at the University of Basel with the aim of promoting interdisciplinary dialogue in the behavioral sciences. The initiative pays tribute to the polymath Daniel Bernoulli (1700-1782), who contributed significantly to the concepts of benefit and risk that are central to psychology, economics and related disciplines.
Directors: Prof. Dr. Jörg Rieskamp, Prof. Dr. Rainer Greifeneder, Prof. Dr. Rui Mata, Prof. Dr. Georg Nöldeke, Prof. Dr. Alois Stutzer, Prof. Dr. Miguel Brendl
Contact: Laura Wiles
eikones – Center for the Theory and History of the Image
The eikones – Center for the Theory and History of the Image emerged from the National Center of Competence in Research «Iconic Criticism - The Power and Meaning of Images» (2005-2017) and promotes and develops image-related scientific cooperation between researchers, programs and faculties at the University of Basel. Inter- and transdisciplinary research is conducted in national and international research projects, colloquia and conferences. The eikones Center maintains close relations and research cooperation with the Kunstmuseum and Schaulager.
Director: Prof. Dr. Ralph Ubl
Contact: Friederike Zenker
Center for Philanthropy Studies (CEPS)
The Center for Philanthropy Studies (CEPS) at the University of Basel is an interdisciplinary institute for research and continuing education specializing in the nonprofit sector. It represents a university think tank on the multifaceted topic of philanthropy. Founded on the initiative of SwissFoundations, the association of Swiss grantmaking foundations, it aims to further develop the scientific basis as well as the knowledge of philanthropy. Furthermore, the CEPS offers workshops and coaching for foundations and other non-profit organizations.
Director: Prof. Dr. Georg von Schnurbein
Contact: Maria Clotilde Henzen
Institute for European Global Studies
At the Europainstitut – Institute for European Global Studies, relations between Switzerland and Europe are studied in a global context, thereby addressing fundamental issues of the 21st century. The researchers of the Europainstitut belong to the Faculty of Law, the Faculty of Economics and the Faculty of Philosophy and History of the University of Basel and cultivate interdisciplinarity at a high level. In addition to the regions of Europe and Asia, research is increasingly conducted in the transnational field. The Research Network Digital Humanities promotes collaborative research methods in the field of Digital Humanities and includes research projects of the Research Navigator, an initiative of the Europainstitut and the Department of History in cooperation with the Digital Humanities Lab.
Director: Prof. Dr. Corey D. Ross
Contact: Cornelia Knab
Institute for Biomedical Ethics (IBMB)
The Institute for Biomedical Ethics (IBMB) is a center for research and teaching dealing with ethical issues in medicine and the life sciences. It is affiliated with both the Faculty of Arts and Sciences and the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Basel. Research at IBMB is interdisciplinary and addresses topics in biomedical ethics such as new technologies, organ donation, palliative care or research in developing countries.
Director: Prof. Dr. Bernice Simone Elger
Contact: Anne-Christine Loschnigg
Institute for Educational Sciences
The Institute for Educational Sciences is jointly funded and managed by the University of Basel and the FHNW School of Education and is assigned to the Rectorate of the University of Basel. The two degree programs Master of Arts in Educational Sciences and Master of Arts in Subject Didactics (joint degree with the FHNW) offer research-based, part-time studies with various specializations in educational philosophy, educational theory, adult education and subject didactics contexts (school language German, history and political education, mathematics, sports as well as economics, work and household). Research projects of the IBW deal, among others, with value education in schools, digitalization and education, gender justice and gender-sensitive vocational orientation. The research coordination strengthens interdisciplinary and cross-university cooperation.
Director: Prof. Dr. Elena Makarova
Contact: Karine Jonnard
