Michael Derrer

Michael Derrer serves as Professor of Economic Sociology at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts (HSLU), where he teaches in the Institute for Business and Regional Economics. His professional profile uniquely combines academic work with practical business consulting, judicial service, and international development activities focused on Eastern Europe.

Academic and Professional Background

• Professor of Economic Sociology at Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts
• Owner and CEO of ASCENT Swiss Business Management AG (established 2005)
• Part-time District Judge in Rheinfelden (2013-2024)
• Certified judicial interpreter for Russian, Romanian, Polish, Ukrainian, Spanish, Italian, French, and English
• Founder and Director of the international "All About Economy Film Days" festival

Research Focus

Derrer's scholarly work critically examines economic phenomena through sociological and institutional lenses, with particular emphasis on post-Soviet states. His research spans corruption systems in Russia and Ukraine, heterodox approaches to economics education, and vocational training systems. The development of SWITEX (Swiss Index for Teaching Excellence) represents his commitment to educational innovation, while his extensive publications on Eastern European business environments demonstrate practical applications of his academic insights.

His recent work (2022-2025) shows a clear trajectory toward analyzing power dynamics in post-Soviet governance structures, particularly regarding corruption mechanisms and anti-corruption strategies in Ukraine during wartime. Simultaneously, he maintains focus on educational innovation through film-based economics teaching methods.

Professional Recognition

• Executive Committee Member of AREF (Association for Renewal of Research and Education in Economics and Finance) since 2017
• President of Verein Mehr Farbe (2021-present)
• Certified Expert for Eastern European countries through S-GE (Switzerland Global Enterprise) since 2008
• Over 500 judicial interpretation assignments completed since 2014

International Engagement

Derrer has fostered significant academic-business partnerships across Eastern Europe, organizing study tours that connect economic theory with cultural understanding. His "All About Economy Film Days" festival has created cross-border platforms for discussing economic challenges through film and academic discourse in Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, and Switzerland.