"Good leadership begins with an inspiring vision that provides orientation"
The ALEA and Diversity Awards, initiated by AVETH, were presented with VPPL at a joint ceremony on 26 November 2024. The awards recognise individuals and groups who exemplify our understanding of leadership and support our commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Olga Schubert, Martin Ackermann, Victoria Herbig, J?rg Fischer and Elise Komarczuk were honoured with the ALEA and the Diversity Award respectively for their exemplary work at ETH Zurich. We spoke to the award winners about their experiences and asked them for tips for everyday working and studying life.
Interview with Olga Schubert and Martin Ackermann, ALEA Award
Olga Schubert, Martin Ackermann, congratulations on winning the ALEA Award 2024! You co-lead the Microbial Systems Ecology group, which is associated with Eawag and ETH Zurich. In your opinion, what makes good leadership?
Good leadership is about striking a balance between several essential elements. It begins with a clear and inspiring vision that provides the group with direction. At the same time, it is important to give individuals the freedom to develop their ideas while offering the necessary guidance and support. Leadership also requires compassion and authenticity to foster trust, well-being, and a sense of belonging. Equally important is taking responsibility—not only for the success of the team and its shared goals but also for upholding values and contributing to the institutions and broader communities we are part of.
You operate as a leadership team. What is important for successful co-leading?
Successful co-leadership is based on trust and shared values. Open communication helps to avoid misunderstandings and ensure alignment of goals and responsibilities. Reliability and generosity — the willingness to share both challenges and successes — strengthen collaboration. Complementary skills and perspectives add additional value by bringing different strengths to the decision-making process. Finally, the acceptance of the group is crucial for co-leadership to be successful.
Read the full interview here.
external page More information about the Microbial Systems Ecology group
Award ceremony
Interview with Victoria Herbig, Diversity Award, individual category
Victoria Herbig, congratulations on winning the Diversity Award 2024! You recently completed your Master's thesis on inclusive stakeholder engagement for participatory modelling for policy making. You are currently conducting research at the TransdisciplinarityLab on the intersections of practices, cultures and politics in collaborative knowledge production. Why are diversity and inclusion so important at ETH Zurich?
Diversity and inclusion are essential for creating a creative, innovative, and fair environment. Research and teaching benefit from various perspectives and experiences. Universities like ETH should serve as role models in promoting an equitable society. Heterogeneity in study programs is crucial to ensure that relevant interests and insights are considered, and structural inequalities are avoided. I am convinced that measures to support marginalised groups improve conditions for everyone. Transparency and clarity help reduce biases and create an environment where everyone can focus on their studies and research.
Each member of the ETH community can contribute to an inclusive environment. What recommendations do you have for doing so? ?
Actively promote diverse perspectives, share your knowledge and make different voices heard.
Read the entire interview and more tips here.
Victoria Herbig's profile
Interview with J?rg Fischer and Elise Komarczuk of EquipSent, Diversity Award, organisation/group category
J?rg Fischer and Elise Komarczuk, congratulations on winning the Diversity Award! Why are diversity and inclusion so important at ETH Zurich??
Diversity and inclusion are essential for the success of any institution. The outdated idea that genius is purely innate needs to be challenged. What truly makes a university great is its ability to help every student become the best version of themselves, offering everyone equal opportunities to excel and shine. As a world-leading university that attracts scholars and students from around the world, ETH has the responsibility to further strengthen its efforts to foster diversity and equality in the university community – both here in Zurich and globally.
Each member of the ETH community can contribute to an inclusive environment. What recommendations do you have for doing so? ?
Act deliberately, promote equal opportunities for everyone, or help us pack and send laboratory equipment to schools that otherwise would not have access to the necessary research materials.
Read the entire interview and more tips here.
external page More information about EquipSent
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