Prof. Dr. Hans Geser, born in 1947, was appointed to the University of Zurich in 1986. He previously held a professorship in Heidelberg. Between 2002 and 2004 he was director of the Institute of Sociology. His main research areas include: political sociology, sociology of communities and political parties, organizational and occupational sociology, new communication technologies. His research activities include comparative research related to the changes in Swiss communities and local political parties, as well as the study of changes in the qualifications required by companies.