ETH News

EPFL and ETH Zurich Presidents Martin Vetterli and Jo?l Mesot consider high tuition fees as in the English-speaking world to be the wrong approach to improving the financial situation of the two universities. Students should be seen as success factors for our country and not as cash cows.

The war in Ukraine is also a war for soil. Sebastian D?tterl, Professor for Soil Resources at ETH Zurich explains what makes Ukrainian soil so valuable and why it will become even more geopolitically significant.

Have you done any further professional training in the last five years? If not, then one reason is probably the education system and its rigid qualifications, says Lukas Sigrist.

Switzerland offers tremendous opportunities for technological and entrepreneurial innovation. Thomas Zurbuchen asks, ¡°How can we generate the momentum needed to maintain an edge in the face of international competition ¨C especially when times get tough?¡±

Hans Gersbach and Martin W?rter explain why Switzerland should not join the emerging international subsidy race. Sticking with the proven ¡°Swiss way¡± is much more promising.

Sascha Quanz searches for traces of life on extrasolar planets orbiting alien stars. The astrophysicist believes that gaining an understanding of life and its origin on Earth is an important stepping stone.

How productive are we when we work from home? It¡¯s an increasingly common question. But Gudela Grote believes it¡¯s the wrong question, because it says more about our conceptions of human nature than about effective ways of working.

To mark Sexual Harassment Awareness Day at Swiss universities, Vice President Julia Dannath analyses the situation at ETH Zurich, explains what anonymous reports can and cannot achieve, and presents what she believes is most needed to effectively combat sexual harassment.

Focusing exclusively on new housing developments to counter the housing crisis is not sustainable, says David Kaufmann. His research group has been able to show that vulnerable persons are displaced to a much greater extent than previously thought in the Swiss canton of Z¨¹rich.

Stephen Herzog is researching how nuclear weapons could be better controlled and eventually eliminated. For him, Putin's threats are a reason to fundamentally question the nuclear ¡°balance of terror."

The Canton of Zurich recently adopted the net-zero 2040 climate protection target. Here Sibylle W?lty appeals for more 10-minute neighbourhoods, which, by making better use of the settlement area, will reduce emissions.

If nations are separated by national borders, the risk of civil war and interstate conflicts increases ¨C as in the case of Ukraine. For this reason, Lars-Erik Cederman believes that sanctions should also be designed to have a deterrent effect on other nationalists.

Translating research results for society requires resources. Either we pay someone to make it work ¨C or we pay as a society if it turns out not to work.

A presumed consent system for organ donation, which is to be put to the vote in Switzerland, would likely increase the organ donation rate, writes bioethicist Agata Ferretti. In her view, however, there is an even better solution: the obligation to decide.

To benefit from stability and security in Asia, Europe must rethink its relations and engagement with this region. But, as Linda Maduz points out, it is worth taking a nuanced look at the various Asian countries.

Two-thirds of the world's population still lives on less than ten International Dollars a day. Although global inequalities remain gigantic, Adina Rom is convinced that living conditions can be sustainably improved for all.

Erika Meins explains the science behind why returning to the office is good for our performance as well as our well-being.? ?

For Didier Queloz, excellent research requires international networks and know-how. He calls on politicians to admit British and Swiss scientists to Horizon Europe.

The outgoing Rector, Sarah Springman, reflects on where and how promoting women makes sense and what it means to be successful in this area.

Johannes Bohacek explains why it¡¯s misleading to think we can completely replace animal testing with alternative methods, and why we should lower rather than raise the hurdles to research.

It¡¯s a good thing if animal testing is widely discussed in society, says Detlef G¨¹nther, but it¡¯s important that these discussions are fair and fact-based.

When donating to charities, asking about their administration costs is problematic says Shruti Patel. We need to ask better questions if we want our donations to help.

It will take more than a long-term target for 2050 to achieve climate neutrality, says Reto Knutti. Policymakers must take a consistent approach towards net zero, and define a reduction path with specific measures and interim targets.

Technologies that interfere with our brains have great potential. But their ethical implications are such that they may require an expansion of human rights frameworks, argues Marcello Ienca.

In his doctoral thesis, Dario Meili explores discrimination. Although there are instances of discrimination in our society, the certificate requirement is not one of them, he says.

Out-of-school programmes designed to develop children¡¯s science and technology skills are booming. Some may be helpful, but others are even harmful, argues Elsbeth Stern.

Discrimination and harassment violate scientific integrity ¨C but the damage they do goes beyond that. According to Janet Hering, they also represent a waste of resources including energy, talent, finances, reputation and culture.

How do you get more people to have vaccinations? Gudela Grote firmly believes that it¡¯s worth looking at team dynamics.

Conferring benefits on vaccinated persons by means of a vaccine passport is a controversial issue. Alexander Stremitzer argues that governments are not only legally permitted to lift restrictions for those vaccinated, but may even be obligated to do so. ?

The scientific community is taking a clear stand on the CO₂ Act. Given their expertise, they are not only permitted, but obliged to do so, asserts Reto Knutti.

Microplastic pollution is a serious problem, but blanket bans won¡¯t solve the issue, says Denise Mitrano. We should regulate plastics more precisely to create incentives for both innovation and environmental safety.

Where should radioactive waste be packaged before it is stored in a deep geological repository? Daniela Scherer explains how stakeholders are being brought on board to tackle this thorny question.

Without animal experiments there would be no COVID-19 vaccine: animal testing is essential for medical research. A ban on testing ¨C even a gradual phase-out ¨C would be extremely damaging for research policy, writes Detlef G¨¹nther.

Katharina Fellnhofer researches how intuitive decision-making influences personal success. She is convinced that people who follow their intuition tend to be more successful in their decision-making.?

In recent years, nationalist leaders have staked claims on lost territories in order to restore the glory of former empires. Lars-Erik Cederman believes that this rise in revanchist nationalism poses a threat to geopolitical stability.