Katja Rost

Katja Rost is a Professor of Sociology at the University of Zurich and Adjunct Professor of Economics (2011–2012). She co-directs the University Research Priority Program Human Reproduction Reloaded and serves as Vice President of the University Council at the University of Lucerne. Her research spans economic sociology, digital historical sociology, gender dynamics in affluent societies, and elite sociology, with recent work on digitalization and innovation governance.

• Education: PhD in Economics (Technical University Berlin, 2006), Habilitation in Economics (University of Zurich, 2010), Master in Sociology (University of Leipzig).
• Research Interests: Focuses on structural hole theory in professional networks, tokenism in academic promotions, lottery-based governance to counter oligarchy, and digital sociology examining social media norm enforcement.
• Scientific Awards:
  • Top100 Women in Business (Science category, 2020–2025)
  • Euram Award (2024)
  • John F Mee Award (2015)
  • CGIR Best Paper Awards (2013, 2014)
• Grants: Leads CHF 20 million UZH research programs, with additional funding from Swiss National Foundation (CHF 8 million), Gebert Rüf Foundation (CHF 240,000), and European research bodies.
• Labs & Teams: Co-leads SP 2 Human Reproduction in Societies and Markets and contributes to Center for Higher Education and Science Studies and European Academy of Sciences and Arts.