Christoph Schweigert

Christoph Schweigert is full Professor (W3) of Mathematics at the University of Hamburg, based in the Department of Mathematics within the Faculty of Mathematics, Informatics and Natural Sciences (MIN-Fakultät). Since 2003 he has held this permanent chair, and he currently serves as a Principal Investigator and Area Coordinator for Quantum Theories in the Cluster of Excellence “Quantum Universe”. In addition he is a member of the Centre for Mathematical Physics, the DFG Collaborative Research Centre SFB 1624 and the Research Training Group 1670 “Mathematics inspired by string theory and quantum field theory”.

Education & Career Path:

• 1987–1992: Degree in Physics, Universität Heidelberg
• 1995: PhD in Mathematics, University of Amsterdam (supervisor: Robbert Dijkgraaf)
• 1995–1996: Postdoc, IHÉS, Bures-sur-Yvette
• 1997–1998: Fellow, CERN, Geneva
• 1999–2002: Lecturer (tenured), LPTHE, Université Paris 6; Habilitation 2000
• 2002–2003: Professor (C3) for Physics, RWTH Aachen
• Since 2003: Professor (W3) for Mathematics, Universität Hamburg

Research Interests:
Schweigert’s work lies at the intersection of algebra, category theory, topology and mathematical physics. He focuses on tensor categories, Hopf algebras and quantum groups, topological and conformal field theories, string-net models, and modular functors. These structures find applications in quantum topology, knot theory, 3-manifold invariants, quantum codes and quantum information theory.

Editorial & Service Roles:

• Editor, Communications in Mathematical Physics (since 2017)
• Editor, Letters in Mathematical Physics (since 2009)
• Editor, Journal of Mathematical Physics (since 2006)
• Editor, Springer book series Algebra and Applications (since 2005)
• Spokesperson/Deputy spokesperson, DFG-RTG 1670
• Member, steering committee, DFG Priority Program “Representation theory”
• Henriette-Herz scout for the Humboldt Foundation (since 2020)

Teaching & Supervision:
Schweigert regularly teaches advanced courses in linear algebra, Hopf algebras, quantum groups and topological field theory at bachelor, master and graduate levels. He organises the research seminar Algebra and Mathematical Physics and the joint seminar Quantum Physics and Geometry. Office hours are by appointment via email.

Laboratory & Research Group:
He leads an active research group based in the Geomatikum building (Room 313), collaborating closely with PhD students, postdocs and visiting researchers on projects in tensor categories, TQFT and related areas.