Carsten Q. Schneider appointed Interim President and Rector of Central European University in Vienna
Central European University (CEU), based in Vienna, Austria, has appointed Professor Carsten Q. Schneider as its Interim President and Rector, effective from August 1, 2025, to July 31, 2026.
Schneider, currently CEU’s Pro-Rector for External Relations and a Professor of Political Science, will take on the role following the departure of Professor Shalini Randeria at the end of the academic year.
Founded in 1991 and based in Vienna since 2019, Central European University (CEU) is a private, non-profit institution offering Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral programs accredited in both the United States and Austria. CEU specializes in social sciences and humanities, with interdisciplinary programs in fields such as law, international relations, environmental sciences, and political science. The university is actively involved in research initiatives, including the Austrian Excellence Clusters “Knowledge in Crisis” and “EurAsian Transformations”.
Leadership transition at CEU
The appointment follows a selection process conducted by CEU’s Board of Trustees and the university’s Senate. Schneider, who joined CEU in 2004, specializes in political regime change and comparative social science methodology. His research has been widely cited, and he has authored three books on set-theoretic methods and Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) published by Cambridge University Press.
Schneider acknowledged the responsibilities of his new role, stating:
“I am honored by the trust placed on me to take on this role and am excited to embark on this journey with CEU, a community I am part of for more than two decades. I recognize the immense responsibility that comes with the role, and I am committed to serving with integrity, openness, and a focus on our shared mission.”
Carol Christ, Chair of the Board of Trustees, welcomed the appointment, emphasizing Schneider’s understanding of CEU and his leadership experience:
“We are deeply grateful that Carsten Schneider has accepted the role of Interim President and Rector. His deep understanding of CEU, combined with his proven leadership in external relations and commitment to our mission, makes him exceptionally well-suited to guide us through this transition.”
Outgoing leadership and future plans
Professor Shalini Randeria, who has served as CEU’s President and Rector since 2021, announced her decision to step down in November 2024. She will return to her research on demographic panics and the dismantling of liberal democracies. Reflecting on her tenure, Randeria said:
“It has been a remarkable and rewarding experience to have worked with the Board of Trustees of the CEU, its faculty, staff, students, and its worldwide alumni network, to further the mission of CEU and to give it a new home in Vienna. Together, we have faced challenges, celebrated accomplishments, and worked tirelessly to ensure that CEU remains a place of academic excellence, shared commitments and solidarity.
“I wish to warmly congratulate Carsten Schneider, with whom I have had the pleasure to work closely as a member of my Senior Leadership Team. I have no doubt that under his leadership, CEU will continue to thrive, and I wish him every success in the journey ahead.”
Carol Christ also acknowledged Randeria’s contributions, noting:
“The Board of Trustees expresses its deep gratitude to Shalini Randeria for her outstanding leadership and dedication to CEU. Her commitment to the university’s core values has been instrumental in guiding CEU through a pivotal period, and the foundation she has helped to lay in Austria will continue to guide this institution as it moves forward.”
CEU’s Board of Trustees will begin an international search for the university’s next President and Rector in April 2025. The selection process is expected to conclude by August 2026, when a permanent appointment will be made.
