Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences a+
The Role of Science in the Swiss Policy Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic
SWISS ACADEMIES REPORTS, VOL. 16. NO 11, 2021
What role did science play in managing the Covid-19 pandemic from January to December 2020? In what way did the Swiss experience differ from selected other countries? Where is there a need for action in the future? The first comprehensive study on the role of science in the Covid-19 pandemic policy response shows a positive track record but also identifies a need for optimization. The potential of science advice to policy is left largely untapped in Switzerland due to its uncertain legal bases and low level of institutionalization. The study by PD Dr. Alexandra Hofmänner documents events, contexts and general conditions during the Covid-19 pandemic and presents six options for future action.
Hofmänner A. (2021) The Role of Science in the Swiss Policy Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Swiss Academies Reports 16 (11).
Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences a+
Lighthouse Programmes in Sustainability Research and Innovation
Wuelser G, Edwards P (2025)
Lighthouse Programmes in Sustainability Research and Innovation
Swiss Academies Reports 20 (4)Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences a+
Ethical guidelines for animal experiments
The Swiss Animal Welfare Act permits the use of animals for certain scientific purposes; at the same time, however, it requires that the dignity of animals be respected and their welfare protected. For researchers, reconciling these various societal interests can be challenging. The ethical guidelines for animal experiments (2025) are designed to clarify the margin of discretion left by the legislation and to encourage researchers to reflect on the handling of animals in their experiments. The decisive factors for updating the previous version from 2005 were new scientific knowledge and research methods on the one hand, as well as changes in the legal framework on the other.
