Two New Vice Rectors for the ZHdK

Miriam Schmidt-Wetzel has been serving as interim head of the Department of Cultural Analysis and Outreach at ZHdK since December 2025 and is a member of the university’s executive board. She is an art educator and professor of subject-specific pedagogy, art, and design. She will assume her new position on August 1, 2027. Until she takes office, Hansuli Matter, director of the Department of Design at ZHdK, will serve as vice rector. The Office of the Vice Rector for Education is ZHdK’s strategic management unit for all matters related to academic programs, teaching, and learning.

Beate Böckem Gottfried is an art historian and a higher education and research administrator. She has many years of experience in the development and implementation of strategic, organizational development, and transformation processes. As Head of the Research Office at ZHdK, she has been responsible since 2018 for establishing and further developing central research structures, research and knowledge communication, and ZHdK’s national and international networking. Beate Böckem Gottfried will assume her new position on September 1, 2026.

According to its press release, the Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK) has consolidated its most important responsibilities into two new vice-rectorates. With approximately 2,100 bachelor’s and master’s students, the ZHdK is one of Europe’s largest art universities. Its academic and research program encompasses the fields of art education, cultural critique, design, film, fine arts, music, dance, theater, and transdisciplinarity.