Academic governance
Christophe Champod proposed as rector of the University of Lausanne
The criminalist would find himself at the head of the institution in 2026. He won against his competitor Jean-Philippe Bonardi.
Christophe Champod, a global specialist in forensic sciences, is appointed to the post of rector of the University of Lausanne. (Keystone/Laurent Gillieron)
KEYSTONE
- Current director of the school of criminal sciences, Christophe Champod was chosen by the Council of the University of Lausanne.
- The final appointment depends on the approval of the Vaud State Council.
- The university faces financial challenges in the canton and the Confederation.
Christophe Champod should be the next rector of the University of Lausanne. The decision was announced Thursday evening by the University councilwhich met behind closed doors at the start of the afternoon to choose. Christophe Champod was preferred to Professor HEC Jean-Philippe Bonardi, his only competitor. It is at the Vaudois Council of State that he will return to accept this choice or not. A refusal seems unlikely. Christophe Champod would thus take office in 2026, following Frédéric Herman.
Criminalist
Criminalist Christophe Champod Currently directs the school of criminal sciences. Born in Yverdon in 1968, he made most of his career at the University of Lausanne. Holding a master’s degree in science and a doctorate in forest sciences, he is initially engaged as assistant teacher and then as an ordinary teacher. Between these two positions, he spent four years in Forensic Science Service, service provider for scientific evidence in the United Kingdom.
Christophe Champod is specialist in fingerprints and DNA analyzes, as are traces of shoes, tools and weapons. Legal expert, a global reference in forensic sciences, he is the promoter of probabilistic evaluation of evidence. In the canton of Vaud, he also made himself known for having directed a report on The causes of prison overcrowdingcommanded by the Vaudois Department of Security.
Tense climate
The choice of the rector was made in a relatively tense climate. The current management, led by the rector Frédéric Herman, was criticized by policies, for example for his management of the Propalestinian movement which occupied the Geopolis building last year, or for the choice of the new UNIL logo.
In an interview with “24 hours”Frédéric Herman, the governance of the university, in particular the role of the University Council. He suggested the establishment of an “surveillance organ with external personalities”.
The University of Lausanne is also subject to double financial pressure: that of the canton of Vaud and that of the Confederation.
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