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Caspar Hirschi

Caspar Hirschi

Caspar Hirschi

Prof. Dr.

Member

SHSS-HSG
Büro 52-7200
Müller-Friedberg-Strasse 6/8
9000 St. Gallen
Main Focuses

"Expertise on Expertise": Science and Politics in Past and Present

History of Nationalism and Populism

Education
  • 2001-2004  Doctoral studies in Early Modern History at the University of Fribourg (CH)
  • 1995-2001  Studies in History and German Literature at the Universities of Fribourg (CH) and Tübingen (D)
  • 1988-1994  Gymnasium Rychenberg Winterthur, Matura type B (with Latin, English and French)
Professional Career
  • Since 2020 Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of St.Gallen
  • 2016-2020 Academic Director of Contextual Studies, University of St.Gallen
    2015-2016 Co-Director (together with Ulrich Schmid) of the Contextual Studies Reform, University of St.Gallen
  • 2013-2016 Academic Director of the Public Lecture Programme, University of St.Gallen
  • 2012-2013 Member of the working group on academic career paths, University of St.Gallen
  • Since 2012  Chair of General History, University of St. Gallen
  • 2010-2012  Ambizione-Fellowship by the Swiss National Foundation, Chair of Science Studies, ETH Zürich
  • 2007-2010  Research Fellowship at Clare Hall College, University of Cambridge
  • 2001-2006  Assistant Lecturer, Chair of Early Modern History, University of Fribourg (CH)
Teaching Activities
  • Science and Politics in Past and Present
  • History of the Expert and Intellectual
  • History of Nationalism and Populism
  • Organisation of Innovation
  • History of Switzerland 
Projects

Scientific Policy Advice in Times of Crisis in Switzerland: An Analysis of the Financial Crisis, the Fukushima Accident and the COVID-19 Pandemic (commissioned by: Swiss Science Council SWR)

Affiliations
  • Since 2022 Board of the Swiss Academy of Humanities and Social Sciences (SAGW) 
  • Since 2022 Member of the Society for History of Universities and Science (GUW)
  • Since 2022 Scientific Advisory Board of the Center for Higher Education & Science Studies at University of Zurich (CHESS)
  • Since 2021 Advisory Board of the Science Media Center, Germany
  • Since 2020 Scientific Advisory Board of Reatch, Switzerland 
  • Since 2015 Scientific Advisory Board of NZZ Geschichte
  • Since 2014 Evaluation Committee of the German Science Council
  • 2018-2022 Scientific Advisory Board of the German Literature Archive Marbach 
Awards
  • Vigener Prize 2004, University of Fribourg
  • SNF-Grant for Advanced Scholars 2007-2010
  • SNF-Ambizione-Grant 2010-2013
Talks

Speaking engagements in academia and society, business and politics

  • International conferences
  • Public lectures
  • Panel discussions
  • Interviews on radio and television
  • Conferences of companies and associations
Editorial Board

Co-editor of the series "Wissenschaftskulturen" by Franz Steiner Verlag (together with Christian Joas, Veronika Lipphardt, Kärin Nickelsen, Sylvia Paletschek and Margrit Szöllösi-Janze) 

Additional Information

Policy advice, academic expertise:

  • Since 2022 Expert on the Swiss Scientific Advisory Panel COVID-19 for the Confederation and the Cantons
  • Since 2022 Member of the SNSF Ambizione Evaluation Committee 
  • Since 2021 Member of the SNSF Postdoc Mobility Evaluation Committee
  • 2021-2022 Co-lead of the investigative report commissioned by the Swiss Science Council on "Scientific policy advice in times of crisis in Switzerland: an analysis of the financial crisis, the Fukushima accident and the COVID-19 pandemic"
  • 2019-2021 Member of the expert group "Communicating Sciences and Arts in Times of Digital Media" of the Swiss Academies 
  • 2017-2019 Expert for the tenure-track programme of the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF)
  • 2012-2014 Member of the working group of the German Science Council on career paths in the academic system
  • 2012-2014 Head of the "Young Researchers Group" on behalf of the Commission for Science, Education and Culture of the Swiss Council of States (WBK-S)
  • Expert for the German Excellence Initiative
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