The Faculty welcomed representatives of the charitable foundation of entrepreneur Dieter Schwarz in Oxford for a formal signing ceremony. The endowment of the Schwarz-Taylor Chair of the German Language and Literature secures the long-term future of this prestigious and internationally important academic position, ensuring that future generations of students can continue to gain a deep understanding of German literature and culture.
In expressing the faculty's gratitude, Professor Almut Suerbaum, Chair of the Faculty Board, noted: 'In securing the chair, the foundation has secured the future of German Studies while also setting a clear signal for the continued close connections between Germany and the UK. We are enormously grateful to the Dieter Schwarz Foundation.'
Professor Leeder commented: 'This is an exciting moment for the subject. German Studies have shifted away from national concerns and are now embracing the creative energies generated by multilingual encounters more widely. I am proud to be the first female Schwarz-Taylor Chair, and my aim will be to foster collaborations in the Humanities across the UK and with German-speaking partner institutions."