معرفی
Prof. Dr. Andreas Kilcher is a Full Professor of Literature and Cultural Studies at ETH Zurich’s Department of Humanities, Social and Political Sciences. He serves as Deputy Head of the Department and holds leadership roles in academic initiatives such as Director of the Center for History and Knowledge (2014–2016), President of the Thomas Mann Archive, and President of the European Society for the Study of Western Esotericism (ESSWE). His research focuses on German-Jewish literature, Kabbalah, and esoteric studies, with a particular interest in modern German authors like Kafka, Thomas Mann, and Walter Benjamin.
Education: Kilcher studied German Literature, History, and Philosophy in Basel and Munich, earned his PhD at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (1993), and habilitated at the University of Münster (2002). He held academic positions at the Universities of Basel, Münster, and Tübingen before joining ETH Zurich in 2008.
Research Interests: His work bridges literary analysis with cultural and religious studies, examining themes such as esotericism in modern German literature, Jewish philosophical traditions, and the intersection of politics and narrative. Recent publications explore Thomas Mann’s engagement with Einstein’s theories, Kafka’s creative process, and Joseph Roth’s religious perspectives.
Professional Activities: Kilcher actively contributes to academic governance, including roles in ETH’s Doctoral Committee (D-GESS) and the Language Center board. He also publishes in prominent journals like Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung and collaborates internationally, evidenced by his edited volumes on Jewish religious philosophy and Kafka’s drawings.
Labs/Teams: Leads the ETH’s interdisciplinary research initiatives, particularly in German-Jewish cultural history and literary esotericism, supported by his directorship of historical archives and scholarly societies.
