Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences
A sea of change: Europe’s future in the Atlantic realm
A new European expert report assesses the latest knowledge on ocean issues and its implications for Europe.
A key finding: the state of the Atlantic adds a layer of variability to local sea level rise in Europe, and the massive loss of ice mass in the Antarctic due to climate change suffices to affect the gravitational pull on the oceans so that they move towards the Northern Hemisphere. Other effects of increasing CO2 levels in the atmosphere are increased acidification of the world’s oceans and reduced fishery yields.
This report of the European Academies Science Advisory Council (EASAC) is launched on the occasion of the UN World Oceans Day on 8 June, thereby emphasising that the health of the oceans is intimately tied to our health.
Swiss Young Academy SYA
Innovative Teaching Formats at the Science-Society Interface: Reflections and Future Directions in Swiss Higher Education
Science-society dialogue is crucial for addressing pressing societal challenges. One important avenue for strengthening this link, in an inter- and transdisciplinary perspective, is teaching formats that encourage students to engage in the public sphere. However, an illustrative collection of best practices in Swiss higher education has been lacking so far. This practice-driven report draws on a non-exhaustive stocktake of existing courses in Switzerland and participatory workshops among lecturers. It features illustrative examples from Swiss higher education institutions and introduces a new typology of science-society teaching formats, offering educators a structured way to design and analyze courses across six dimensions. In addition, the publication discusses both the opportunities and challenges of implementing such teaching formats. To further advance science-society education, the report identifies three priority areas for action.
Swiss Academy of Sciences SCNAT
Strategy for natural history collections in Switzerland
Thirty-seven institutions, take a decisive step towards unlocking the full potential of natural history collections in Switzerland. Together, they publish and endorse a strategy based on 6 pillars and 52 key activities to better preserve collections, ensure their accessibility and promote their use for science and society.
