Virginia Richter, what is the reason for the changes in the planning of professorships? 

Universities are currently facing major challenges; take artificial intelligence, for example, which is causing substantial transformations in our work, from research methods to performance evaluations. The University of Bern aims to preserve the strengths of a comprehensive university—particularly its diversity of disciplines—while also positioning itself well for the future. This must be achieved within a financial framework that is not keeping pace with the growing number of students and staff. Filling professorial positions based on the preservation of the status quo—as has largely been the norm until now—deprives the faculties of the opportunity to evolve thematically and methodologically. To maintain our ability to take action as a university, we have decided to make the planning of professorships more comprehensive and dynamic. 

What exactly is going to change?  

Until now, structural reports focused on individual professorships and highlighted how they fit into the overall strategy. This was very time-consuming and mostly followed the traditional approach of “succession.” In the future, appointments will be planned within the framework of a faculty-wide strategy, known as the “development framework”. The actual structural reports will cover multiple professorships and lectureships and are meant to be significantly more condensed than before. During the transition phase, this will initially require a lot of work, but in the medium term, it is expected to lessen the administrative workload. 

When and how will strategic alignment take place in the future? 

In the future, the planning of professorships will be discussed during the annual strategy meetings. Through ongoing collaboration between the University Executive Board and the faculties, key metrics will be reviewed throughout the remainder of the year, vacant professorships and lectureships will be tracked over the next ten planning years, and the faculty will devise the development framework. 

What are the specific advantages of the new approach compared to the previous one? 

Planning professorships is of enormous strategic importance—in terms of content, finances, and staff. It is crucial to implement it through a well-structured process. With the extended timeframe and a perspective that looks beyond the scope of individual professorships, we can set strategic priorities more effectively. 

“The new approach to planning professorships will become a key tool in shaping the direction of the university as a whole.”

Virginia Richter

Is the process the same for all faculties? 

The new process generally applies to all faculties and will become a key tool in shaping the direction of the university as a whole—an important lever in the increasingly fierce competition we face as a university. However, we take into account the specific circumstances of some faculties. One example of this is the interface with the university clinics in the Faculty of Medicine. The new guidelines also define how to handle endowed professorships, interfaculty professorships, and strategic centers. 

Which appointment levels are specifically affected? 

The planning of professorships now encompasses all structural positions including lectureships. 

Are there any substantive changes, for example regarding the resources allocated to professorships or the evaluation criteria for applications?  

Resource allocation should generally be fair, transparent and based on need. The specific details regarding these matters are outlined in the new structural reports. 

How was the new professorship planning developed, and who was involved?  

The guidelines were refined by a core team, incorporating feedback from an expert committee as well as the management retreat of the University Executive Board and the deans. Other ongoing projects and cross-cutting issues were also incorporated into the process. The consultation with the faculties was completed in January 2026. 

When will the new process take effect? 

The year 2026 will be used to gradually finalize the new professorship planning and its various elements. The definitive approach will be discussed with the faculties during the 2026 strategy meetings. From that point onwards, the new structural reports should be used wherever possible. The University Executive Board will implement the Professorship Planning Guidelines definitively starting in 2027.