Born: Zurich (Switzerland) November 13th 1947

1967-1970 Studies in Sociology, Economy and Philosophy at the University of Zurich

1970-1975 Continuation of studies in Sociology, Social Psychology, Political Science and Philosophy at the Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Frankfurt (Germany)

1975 Diplom in Sociology

1975-1980 Post-graduate studies at the Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales in Paris (France); study of History; activity as a book editor and translator at Suhrkamp-Verlag

1980 Doctorate in Sociology at the University of Bremen

1981 Editor for Social and Historical Sciences (Sozial-und Geschichtswissenschaften) at the Europäische Verlagsanstalt (EVA) in Frankfurt

1983 Scientific Assistant in a project of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG): „Biologisierung der Weiblichkeit. Untersuchungen zum Einfluss der Medizin auf Frauenbild und Familienstruktur im 19. Jahrhundert“

1984-1990 Scientific collaborator and lectureship at the department „Gesellschaftswissenschaften“ at the Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Frankfurt. Activity as an expert for various German publishing companies; formulation of the habilitation thesis „Die Codierung der Geschlechter in der Moderne. Kulturelle Umbrüche und die Wissenschaften vom Menschen,1750 – 1850“

1990 Lectureship at the Institute of History at the University of Basel (Switzerland)

1989 Habilitation in Sociology at Frankfurt-University

1990-2010 Professorship for General Sociology at the University of Bern

1995-1997 President of the Swiss Society of Sociology

1998-2009 Member of several doctoral programs

2002-2004 Dean of the faculty of Economic and Social Sciences, University of Bern