President

The PHSG is headed by its President, Professor Horst Biedermann. Prior to joining the PHSG in 2016, he held a wide range of science- and teaching-related positions in Switzerland and other countries.

Duties of the President

The President is responsible for the strategic management of the university. He conducts the business of the University Council and implements its decisions. He represents the university on national committees in Switzerland, in public, and in contact with the educational authorities. He also maintains a wide international network of contacts with other universities and partners.

Career

Professional positions held:

• Since 2016: President of the St.Gallen University of Teacher Education (CH)
• 2014–2016: Professor Ordinarius for Empirical Educational Research at the School of Education of the Paris Lodron University of Salzburg (AT)
• 2011–2014: W3 Professor for School Education and Founding Director of the Centre of Teacher Training at Europa-Universität Flensburg (DE)
• 2005–2007 and 2009–2011: Senior Assistant at the Department of Sciences of Education of the University of Fribourg (CH)
• 2003–2004 and 2007–2009: Research fellowships at Stanford University (USA), Arizona State University (USA) and the Max Planck Institute for Human Development in Berlin (DE)
• 1999–2001: Research Associate and Teaching Assistant at the Department of Sciences of Education of the University of Fribourg (CH)
• 1991–1998: Part-time primary school teacher at Triesen Primary School (LI)
• 1990–1991: Primary school teacher at Schaan Primary School (LI)

Academic attainments

• 2011: Habilitation (Faculty of Philosophy, University of Fribourg, CH)
• 2006: Doctorate (Faculty of Philosophy, University of Fribourg, CH)
• 2001: Master of Education (University of Fribourg, CH)
• 1999: Degree (lic. phil. I; University of Fribourg, CH)
• 1990: Qualified primary school teacher (teaching seminar Rickenbach, CH)

Scientific focus

• Professionalisation, skills development and professional ethics in the teaching profession
• Educational processes in the domains of politics and morality
• Childhood and youth with a focus on self-regulation, self-discipline, strategic/tactical behaviour and the use of new media