In office since 1. April 2017

Chair of Kulturgeschichte der Moderne (Modern Cultural History)

What are your responsibilities as President of the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar?

As President, I chair the Presidium, which is our University Directorate, and the Senate.  The Senate is the university’s parliament where all of the important issues are discussed.  I also have many other responsibilities--from appointing new professors to representing the university to the public.  Even as far as the Higher Education Act. But even more importantly, as President, I want to stand up for the university, make suggestions, and protect and promote what we share in common with one another. The best parts, however, aren’t necessarily those in the job description; each day brings with it new challenges, new encounters and new ideas.  

What makes the Bauhaus-Unversität Weimar special?

The Bauhaus concept isn’t outdated, but actually highly relevant. The new, complex challenges of our time can only be solved by bringing different disciplines together--from engineering and computer sciences to social and media sciences, architecture and art and design.  Our four faculties reflect this in an exemplary way: we excel in every subject, innovative in cooperation, and creative in the search for solutions. Bauhaus is the future!

In office since 5. April 2020 (acted as Vice President for Internationalisation and Digitisation from 2017-2020, Vice Rector for Student and Academic Affairs from 2014-2017)

Chair of Marketing and Media

What are your responsibilities as Vice President?

As Vice President, I’m responsible for international issues, diversity and equal opportunities, the Language Centre and the University Library. In addition, my responsibilities include digitisation--currently an important topic with the Presidium. This includes research data management and introducing a research information system. I’m also an ombudsperson, or contact person, for international students and I act as a mediator if difficult cases arise at the university. 

What is a particularly fond memory you have of the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar?

I’ve had so many good experiences here at the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar that I like to think back on.  One highlight is our annual exhibition, summaery, which always promises fascinating projects and great events.  The encounters and exchanges with one another in a cosmopolitan atmosphere are what make the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar so special. This is something that we are especially missing right now and hope will be possible again soon.

In office since 5. April 2020,

Chair of Intelligent Technical Design

What are your responsibilities as Vice President of Student and Academic Affairs?

As Vice President of Student and Academic Affairs, I am responsible for everything relating to studying at our university. I work closely with the Office of Student and Academic Affairs, as well as with Institutional Development. A major topic in the current situation is that of »digital teaching«.

What is something that students in Weimar should definitely experience?

Even though it unfortunately won't be taking place next year, the Mensafashing is a fantastic event that I would highly recommend.

In office since 1. January 2015

What are your responsibilities as Chancellor of the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar?

I am responsible for those tasks that at first seem to have little to do with research and teaching. Upon second glance, however, they are essential to the university: finances, staff, laws, technology, construction and university sport.

What have is your favourite place at the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar?

My office is in Belvederer Allee 6 in an old villa with a special history. On the one hand, I really enjoy it. I’m on the first floor with a view of the Ilmpark--I’ve never had such a nice office before!  On the other side, I am very aware of the history of the house; stumbling blocks at the entrance of the house remind us every day that fellow Jewish citizens who lived here lost their lives.

In office since 2004

Chair of Building Morphology

What are your responsibilities as Dean of the Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism?

The administrative role of the deans of each faculty is regulated by the Higher Education Act and Basic Regulations. From my perspective, my job is to ensure optimal research and study conditions for all faculty members and to actively use the academic security of the university to unlock the creative potential of our researchers and students. Cooperation with other faculties on innovative ideas also strengthens our own discipline.

What makes your faculty special?

The faculty of Architecture and Urbanism was recognized by the DOMUS editorial team as one of the most renowned schools of architecture in Europe in 2016.  We address current global issues in research and teaching formats. Our graduates are in demand worldwide.  In the ranking of German universities with architecture and planning courses, Weimar is highly regarded with our specific focus on theory and practice in architectural design and urban planning processes.

What have been some of the highlights of your time so far at the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar?

Highlights for me are when history is reflected in the present with an eye on the future; this creates a stable resonance that is clear, for instance, in BA introductory courses, which have been providing the foundations for many generations to begin study programmes. 

The white.cube-09 project has proved to have a similarly lasting effect. An experimental spirit has emerged in the faculty in the form of micro-architecture.  The project continues to resonate beyond its time in from of the Main Building and is remembered by university members and guests of the 2009 anniversary year as a complex, future-oriented, integrative project. As one of the first projects from a still-young MediaArchitecture course, it met the interdisciplinary requirements convincingly and professionally.  The white.cube-09 was the inspiration for a number of other projects that took up the challenge of creating something on a 1:1 scale.  Micro-architectures are now recognised as prototypical solutions for current global questions, both in Weimar and around the world.  The result has been a sequence of highlights, ranging from experimental micro-architectures in Addis Abeba to the Thuringian Climate Pavilion.

In office since 2018

Chair of Transport System Planning

What are your responsibilities as Dean of the Faculty of Civil Engineering?

I see myself first and foremost as a team player who helps unite the faculty and ensure that we develop teaching and research in a positive way. My responsibilities include finances, appointment procedures, public relations and more.

What makes your faculty special?

I think we stand out in that our students are involved in numerous research projects with a very good supervision ratio and we test out innovative teaching formats.

What could we find you doing on a day off in Weimar?

Sundays are my days off and I usually start it on the beautiful tennis court in Weimar. Everything else can be taken care of after that.

In office since 2019

Chair of Media Events

What are your responsibilities as Dean of the Faculty of Art and Design?

The dean leads the faculty. We have consciously taken on the role of collegial dean’s office: Junior Professor Dr. Alexandra Toland as Dean of Studies, academic employee Dominic Dives as Vice Dean of Digitality, and our alumnus Philipp Herion as Vice Dean of Student Affairs. Annett Habisreuther, our Faculty Director, has a central role both within and outside the Faculty of Art and Design.

What makes your faculty special?

Our faculty has a characteristic combination of artistic practice and scientific reflection in addition to the joint work between applied and unrestricted design questions and tasks. This works best in interdisciplinary projects.

What is an event that students in Weimar definitely shouldn't miss?

The Winterwerkschau at the end of the semester is a highlight of the semester. The live online summaery programme also shows the most interesting student films of the year in the »Summer Reel 2021«.

In office since 2019

Chair of Theory of Media Worlds

What are your responsibilities as Dean of the Faculty of Media?

The Dean is responsible for serving all students, lecturers and researchers in the faculty. The Dean is the spokesperson for their interests, organiser of their activities and a source of inspiration for new ideas.   

What makes your faculty special?

The Faculty of Media brings computer science together with research in the humanities and social sciences at the highest level. We are ideally equipped to respond to social challenges posed by digitisation in a carefully thought out way.

What is your secret Weimar tip?

My Weimar secret tip it to look beyond the horizon; take a trip to Weimarer Land, Bad Berka or Apolda. It will clear your head and make space for new thoughts.

What are the tasks of the StudierendenKonvent (StuKo)?

The StuKo represents and articulates the interests of the students towards the committees of the university, the Studierendenwerk and the public. We also support and fund initiatives, projects, and events from students for students. If you should ever have a problem and do not know who to turn to, you can always contact us!

How can students get involved in the StuKo?

The student representatives of each individual faculty, who are elected every year by the students themselves, each delegate four of their members to the StuKo. You can put yourself up to be elected, if you want to be part of the StuKo directly, or you can participate in one of our many initiatives or departments! To find out more you can visit our website at m18.uni-weimar.de.

What should all students in Weimar have experienced?

Weimar might seem small, but it is a city with a lot of cultural history. The best way to experience the city is to just go for a walk. Whether it be in the city center for a cup of coffee or to venture out into the Ilm-Park and towards Schloss Belvedere! And if the »M18«, the house of the students at the Marienstraße 18, can hopefully open up again in the summer, a visit is a must!