The Senate is a central committee of Leipzig University. It plays an essential role in the University’s strategic orientation in research, study and teaching.

Note: Further university-public information regarding the meetings (e.g., agenda and minutes) is only available on the intranet of Leipzig University. If you are not connected to the university network, please log in via VPN to access the intranet. You will need your university login for this.

Function and tasks

The individual responsibilities of the Senate are set forth in Section 85 of the Saxon Higher Education Act (SächsHSG). The responsibilities include the following and other tasks:

The Senate

  • decides in fundamental matters concerning the promotion of young academics and artists, teaching, research, and the arts,
  • formulates principles for the organisation of teaching and studying,
  • decides on the University’s development planning,
  • proposes members for the University Council.
enlarge the image: Personen in förmlicher Kleidung sitzen einander zugewandt am Tisch. Die Frau in der Bildmitte spricht zu den anderen.
enlarge the image: Vogelperspektive auf einen Besprechungstisch mit mehreren Personen, die miteinander im Gespräch sind.
enlarge the image: Mehrere Personen sitzen an einem Tisch, eine Frau spricht zu den anderen Teilnehmer:innen.

Commissions and committees

The Senate has established the Committee for the Preparation of the Senate Statement on the Draft Business Plan and Staffing of the Faculties.

Senate meetings

Senate meetings are open to the University public. This means that all members of Leipzig University (students and staff) can participate in Senate meetings. Personnel matters are not dealt with in public.

Meeting dates 2026

  • 20 January 2026
  • 24 February 2026 - cancelled
  • 17 March 2026
  • 21 April 2026
  • 12 May 2026
  • 16 June 2026
  • 14 July 2026
  • 13 October 2026
  • 10 November 2026
  • 8 December 2026

Meeting dates 2027

  • 26 January 2027
  • 23 February 2027
  • 23 March 2027
  • 20 April 2027
  • 11 May 2027
  • 8 June 2027
  • 6 July 2027
  • 19 October 2027
  • 16 November 2027
  • 14 December 2027

Senate members

Senate members with voting rights are elected. They represent university lecturers, academic staff, students and administrative and technical staff in the Senate.

Our university’s Rector, Vice-Rectors, Head of Administration and Finance, deans, Commissioner for Equal Opportunities and the Director General of Centre for Teacher Training and School Research (ZLS) are non-voting members of the Senate who act in an advisory capacity. The Rector prepares the meetings of the Senate and chairs the Senate meetings.

University lecturers

  • Professor Anne Bartsch, Faculty of Social Sciences and Philosophy
  • Professor Hendrik Bläker, Faculty of Medicine
  • Professor Philip Clart, Faculty of History, Arts and Regional Studies
  • Professor Ralf Diedrich, Faculty of Business and Economics
  • Professor Cornelia Exner, Faculty of Life Sciences
  • Professor Christian Fandrych, Faculty of Philology
  • Professor Nadja Horsch, Faculty of History, Arts and Regional Studies
  • Professor Rochus Leonhardt, Faculty of Theology
  • Professor Gerik Scheuermann, Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science
  • Professor Uwe Truyen, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
  • Professor Manfred Wendisch, Faculty of Physics and Earth System Sciences

Academic staff

  • Marianne Aussenac-Kern, Faculty of Philology
  • Dr Bert R. E. Klagges, Faculty of Life Sciences
  • Dr Claudia Wiesner, Faculty of Chemistry
  • Dr Alexander Yendell, Leipzig Research Centre Global Dynamics (ReCentGlobe)

Students

  • Salma-Elisabeth Aloussi, Faculty of Law
  • Dareen Darwish, Faculty of Social Sciences and Philosophy
  • Naomi Hofmann, Faculty of Law
  • Marie Holzwarth, Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science

Administrative and technical staff

  • Miriam Balzer, Department 4: Construction and Technical Services
  • Markus Lorenz, Faculty of Life Sciences

Rectorate

  • Professor Eva Inés Obergfell, Rector
  • Professor Jens-Karl Eilers, Vice-Rector for Excellence Development: Research and Transfer
  • Professor Brigitte Latzko, Vice-Rector for Talent Development: Study and Teaching
  • Professor Matthias Middell, Vice-Rector for Campus Development: Cooperation and Internationalisation
  • Dr Jörg Wadzack, Head of Administration and Finance

Deans

  • Professor Roderich Barth, Faculty of Theology
  • Professor Marc Desens, Faculty of Law
  • Professor Markus A. Denzel, Faculty of History, Arts and Oriental Studies
  • Professor Benjamin Lucas Meisnitzer, Faculty of Philology
  • Professor Henrik Saalbach, Faculty of Education
  • Professor Astrid Lorenz, Faculty of Social Sciences and Philosophy
  • Professor Rainer Alt, Faculty of Business and Economics
  • Professor Gregor Hovemann, Faculty of Sport Science
  • Professor Ingo Bechmann, Faculty of Medicine
  • Professor Andreas Maletti, Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science
  • Professor Irene Coin, Faculty of Life Sciences
  • Professor Johannes Quaas, Faculty of Physics and Earth System Sciences
  • Professor Holger Kohlmann, Faculty of Chemistry
  • Professor Thomas Vahlenkamp, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine

Commissioner for Equal Opportunities

  • Susanne Chenaoui

Director General of Centre for Teacher Training and School Research (ZLS)

  • Alexander Biedermann

Doctoral Council (ProRat)

  • Elisa Israel

Commissioner for Student Affairs

  • Renate Baricz

Permanent guest

  • Carsten Heckmann, Department of University Communications

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