A pioneer project in Europe
With the cross-border professorships between its member universities, Eucor – The European Campus successfully implements a pioneer project in the European context. Cross-border research, teaching and studies have been the hallmarks of the Upper Rhine network for more than 30 years. Still, the nature of the cross-border professorships is also a novelty for the German – French – Swiss region. The Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Science, and the Arts (MWK) paved the way for the establishment of these professorships. In a letter from the then Minister, Theresia Bauer, the MWK created the prospect of funding two professorships for the two German member universities, the University of Freiburg and the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology.
Feasibility study on Professorial Appointment for the European Campus
The commitment to the funding was preceded by a feasibility study entitled "Joint appointments at the European Campus", which was commissioned by the Eucor member universities within the framework of an INTERREG project. With no existing model for universities to follow to guide recruitment, the feasibility study outlined possible models of cooperation.
An inspiring model
The successful establishment of the professorships at the Baden-Württemberg universities inspired the French partners. Within the framework of the Contrat Triennal Strasbourg Capitale européenne, the French regional authorities, which include the Région Grand Est, the Collectivité européenne d'Alsace (CeA), the Eurométropole and the City of Strasbourg, also support the establishment of a cross-border professorship offered by the University of Strasbourg.
Focus on
Four cross-border professorships for the Upper Rhine region
The visit of Baden-Württemberg’s Minister-President Kretschmann focused on the four new binational professorships that the member universities of Eucor – The European Campus are currently launching. The first of these is a professorship between the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) and the University of Strasbourg in the future field of quantum computing, whose first holder is Prof. Dr. Anja Metelmann. […]
Read more … Four cross-border professorships for the Upper Rhine region
Cross-border professorships at a glance
Quantum Computing
This pioneer project became a reality when KIT awarded the first cross-border professorship to Prof. Anja Metelmann in the future field of Quantum Computing. Prof. Metelmann has been researching and teaching at KIT and the University of Strasbourg in Eucor's strategic focus area “Quantum Sciences and Technology” since February 2022.
Digital Process Engineering for Sustainable Materials and Energy
In February 2022, Prof. Thomas Meurer became the second person to be awarded a cross-border professorship at the KIT and the Université de Haute-Alsace. Prof. Meurer has been appointed to KIT and also holds a part-time position at the IRIMAS Institute of the UHA. His professorship strengthens the strategic focus area of Eucor in "Sustainability".
Sustainable Water Management
In September 2023, Prof. Karl Matthias Wantzen became the third person to be awarded a cross-border professorship at the University of Strasbourg, the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology and the National School for Water and Environmental Engineering of Strasbourg (ENGEES). He will develop a program for excellent interdisciplinary research on sustainable water management with a focus on the Upper Rhine region. Research in Eucor's strategic focus area "Sustainability" offers the prospects of forward-looking results regarding local and international geopolitical challenges.
Public law
Since March 2026, Prof. Dr Fabian Michl has been Professor of Public Law at the University of Freiburg and Director of the newly established Department 6 of the Institute for German, European and International Public Law. Within the framework of his Eucor cross-border professorship, he works closely with the University of Strasbourg to further expand Franco-German cooperation in research and teaching. His main areas of expertise are the law of democracy, constitutional theory and constitutional history. The professorship is also assigned to the Eucor focus area European Identities. In his research, Prof. Michl is particularly concerned with the question of how law can enable and strengthen democratic processes.
Welcome Prof. Dr Fabian Michl, Cross-border professor in Eucor!
The Faculty of Law of the University of Freiburg has appointed Fabian Michl Professor of Public Law. His Eucor cross-border professorship is designed to strengthen Franco-German cooperation within Eucor. Michl explaines in this interview how this works.
Read more … Welcome Prof. Dr Fabian Michl, Cross-border professor in Eucor!
In the planning stage