Swiss Academy of Sciences SCNAT
Transdisciplinary research partnerships with business and civil society in the North-South context
This publication analyses opportunities and risks of transdisciplinary research partnerships with business and civil society in the North-South context. Such partnerships are in many cases crucial for impactful research and need to be implemented cautious and strategic. Well implemented partnerships enhance the practical relevance of research and the uptake of results, they provide access to additional data and networks but they also entail the risk of undermining scientific rigour and independence, and they increase the complexity of a research project and power-imbalances. This analysis provides some practical information and orientation for researchers and funding institutions in Switzerland on these opportunities and risks. The publication is the result of a literature review and a stakeholder dialogue with researchers and research-funders.
Alex Gertschen (2021) Transdisciplinary research partnerships with business and civil society in the North-South context. Opportunities and risks for researchers and funding institutions in Switzerland. Swiss Academies Communications 16 (7).
Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences a+
STEM 2026: Where Switzerland stands today
Twelve years on from the first STEM Youth Barometer, the new 2026 edition reveals that interest in STEM has remained largely stable, stereotypes persist, and women underestimate their own abilities. At the same time, the findings are more nuanced than expected and point to clear areas for improvement.
Swiss Academy of Sciences SCNAT
Beyond the transaction: commodity trade and sustainable development
This factsheet maps the sustainability links of commodity trade, identifies knowledge gaps, and outlines options for commodity hubs, including Switzerland, to reduce economic, environmental and social sustainability risks.
Swiss Young Academy SYA
Impact of AI on Early Career Researchers: Challenges, Opportunities and Responsibilities
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming science and is therefore profoundly reshaping the work of Early Career Researchers. Against this backdrop, the publication Impact of AI on Early Career Researchers: Challenges, Opportunities, and Responsibilities, developed by members of the Swiss Young Academy, namely Emmanuel Senft, Sabrina H. Kessler, Pamela Delgado, Devi Bühler, and Alexandre Bovet, offers a timely interdisciplinary reflection on these changes. The booklet examines both the opportunities and risks of AI across five key areas – research, teaching, science communication, policymaking, and sustainability – while also addressing critical issues such as research integrity, data privacy, misinformation, governance, and environmental impact. It further highlights the responsibilities of Early Career Researchers and higher education institutions in promoting AI literacy, transparency, ethical standards, and responsible use of AI in science.