A new semester is starting, full of expectations and excitement!

Things are really taking off at the University of Lucerne – not only in a literal sense, with the student café Baloo now beautifully replacing the former post office counters in the university building on Frohburgstrasse, but also in a figurative one. We recently opened the new Faculty of Behavioural Sciences and Psychology (VPF), and the response from students has been fantastic. In addition, at the end of January 2026, we celebrated the opening of the new Zug Institute for Blockchain Research (ZIBR) in Zug. This research institute comprises a total of nine new chairs, five of which are already filled: Philosophy and Blockchain, Sociology and Blockchain, Private Law and Blockchain, Public Law and Blockchain, and Energy Law and Blockchain.

The establishment of ZIBR represents a major opportunity for the University of Lucerne. Thanks to the generous support of the Canton of Zug, ZIBR is setting a new direction in humanities research on blockchain technology and related fields, such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing and digitalisation more broadly.

Two appointment procedures are currently underway in political science and political economy, with two further chairs planned in the Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine (GMF) and in the Faculty of Behavioural Sciences and Psychology (VPF). ZIBR will also be a real asset for students, offering new lectures and seminars, as well as fresh opportunities for seminar papers, BA and MA theses, and doctoral and postdoctoral positions. With ZIBR, we are breaking new ground – join us!

Finally, the University of Lucerne is expanding its postdoctoral offerings. A new strategy for the promotion of early-career researchers was approved by the University Council in December and is now being implemented under the leadership of the Graduate Academy. While the Academy has so far focused primarily on supporting doctoral students, this work will continue alongside the new initiatives. This development is very welcome – stay tuned!

The University Management wishes you all a successful start to the new semester. We look forward to welcoming back familiar faces and getting to know new students!

Professor Alexander H. Trechsel
Vice President for Research