Katja was closely connected to CHESS – Center for Higher Education and Science Studies since its founding and decisively shaped the center over many years as deputy director and member of the Management Committee. With her scientific clarity, her intellectual courage, and her sense for the relevance of higher education and science policy questions, she contributed substantially to enabling CHESS to establish itself as a center of higher education and science research in Switzerland and beyond.

In her work at CHESS, Katja Rost combined empirical research, higher education policy experience, and societal judgment. Among other things, she carried out research projects on the digital transformation of universities and academic disciplines in Switzerland, demonstrating how digitalization sets off new strategic positionings, competitive dynamics, and processes of change within the higher education system. Questions of equality, family-friendliness, and flexible working models at universities were also an important concern of hers – not only in her research, but also within the framework of applied projects at CHESS and in her role as president of the Equal Opportunities Commission of the University of Zurich. In addition, she repeatedly brought her experience from higher education policy bodies, among others as vice-president of the University Council of the University of Lucerne, to bear productively in the work of CHESS.

Those who worked with Katja Rost experienced her as an exceptionally clear, courageous, and communicatively strong colleague. She asked uncomfortable questions, thought independently, argued precisely, and at the same time brought great energy and commitment to shared projects. With her, CHESS loses a formative personality, an important voice, and a valued colleague and friend. She will be greatly missed.