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