Michael Waltisberg

Michael Waltisberg is a Professor of Semitic Studies at the University of Heidelberg, appointed in early 2021. His role is associated with the Research Center for Aramaic Studies, supported by the NISIBIN Foundation. Since February 2023, he has served as faculty coordinator for the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.

Educational Background:

• Master of Arts in Semitic Studies (Munich)
• Doctorate in Semitic Studies (University of Marburg, 2008) focusing on Classical Arabic syntax
• Habilitation in Semitic Studies (University of Marburg, 2014) studying Neo-Aramaic Ṭuroyo sentence structures

His research specializes in Semitic languages, including historical and syntactic analysis of Classical Arabic and Neo-Aramaic. He has held interim professorships at Erlangen and Heidelberg and led a German Research Foundation (DFG)-funded project on Syriac (Middle Aramaic) prior to his current role.

Professional Contributions:

• Active in academic coordination as Faculty Coordinator for Humanities and Social Sciences at TDU
• Linked to the Research Center for Aramaic Studies