Building Bridges Between Science and Policy
Successful Launch of the ETH Policy Fellowship 2024
Bringing science and policy closer together – this was the driving idea behind the 2023 pilot project “ETH Policy Fellowship”, a tailored programme for public sector leaders. The Policy Fellowship is organized by the Science-Policy Interface (SPI) of ETH Zurich.
The programme aims to foster dialogue-based exchanges and networking between policymakers, administration, and science. Participants have the opportunity to expand their networks, stay informed on the latest research, and work alongside experts to explore solutions for current challenges in their policy areas. At the same time, researchers gain a chance to expand their networks with policymakers and learn more about the issues, work, and decision-making processes in politics and the administration.
The programme was launched as a pilot in 2023. Following positive feedback from both the fellows and the participating ETH researchers, the ETH Policy Fellowship has been expanded and is now a permanent part of the SPI’s activities. For members of the federal administration, the programme is offered in partnership with the Swiss Federal Office of Personnel (FOPER). The ETH Policy Fellowship 2024, which kicked-off on 6 September 2024, includes eight motivated leaders from public administration. Among them are five staff members from various federal departments and three employees from the Canton of Zurich.
The introductory day featured presentations by the SPI team and a joint lunch, along with two tours: one of ETH Zurich’s main building, where the fellows learned more about the university’s history and student life, and a tour of the ETH Student Project House, a creative space that supports students in exploring and building on their curiosity.
The policy interests of the fellows are as diverse as their professional backgrounds, ranging from cybersecurity, foreign and migration policy to innovation and landscape policy. Over the coming months, the fellows will participate in more than 100 activities organized by the SPI team.
They will have the opportunity to connect with numerous ETH researchers on policy-relevant topics and participate in various events.
In a dedicated event organized for this cohort, the fellows have already had the opportunity to engage with ETH experts on the topic of Artificial Intelligence and Public Policy as part of this programme.
Effective collaboration between science and policy requires mutual trust, respect, and an understanding of the different roles each plays in society. With the ETH Policy Fellowship, ETH Zurich aims to contribute to this endeavour and looks forward to many inspiring moments in this year’s fellowship programme.