Why ETH Should Engage with Policymakers

Benedikt Knüsel reflects on different stages of his career. He is convinced that ETH Zurich should become even more active in the science-policy interface.

I vividly remember my confusion during my days as a Bachelor’s student over a decade ago when learning about climate policy. While scientists kept emphasizing that temperature targets like the 1.5°C or the 2°C target were set not by scientific but by political standards, I heard politicians say that these policy targets had not been set by policymakers but by scientists. My strong interest in science, policy, and how they interact, had drawn me to pursue a degree in environmental sciences at ETH in the first place. But this confusion over climate targets really intrigued me and made me want to understand how science and policy do and should relate to each other.

That moment proved crucial for the choices I made along my professional journey. I actively sought to work at the intersection of science and policy, and every opportunity provided important insights into the complex interplay between these two worlds. 

First, I had the chance to dive deeper into questions around science and human values during my time as a doctoral student in philosophy of science. I also learned to think in a structured way about how decision-makers use often incomplete scientific information to decide on a course of action – given the uncertainty inherent in the situation. I then went to work for government and gained first-hand experience of how policymakers influence directions in research. At the same time, I also learned how government aims to protect the autonomy of research institutions and the academic freedom of researchers. Finally, in my current position at ETH Zurich, I could launch initiatives to create networks between research and policymaking at all levels, and support ETH members in contributing to evidence-informed policies. 

Together, these experiences have helped me understand why – despite extensive evidence regarding certain societal issues like climate change or biodiversity loss – there may still be a mismatch between the evidence available and the evidence required by policymakers. At the same time, these experiences in an academic and in a government setting also helped me grasp the value of informal networks between scientists and policymakers as a foundation for successful collaborations between the two. A simple informal phone call between a scientist and a policymaker who know and trust each other can go a long way in terms of policy advice – an experience I made both in my current role at ETH as well as in my previous role in government. 

Based on this professional journey, I strongly believe there are three reasons why it is imperative that we at ETH Zurich stablish a better science-policy interface: 

1. The role of scientific experts in policymaking should be strengthened. Now more than ever, I am convinced that it is vital that science supports society in making important decisions, informed by the best available information. This is particularly important in times of increasing disinformation, especially in a country with a strong direct-democratic tradition like Switzerland.

2. This is particularly important for technical universities like ETH. With technologies evolving rapidly, society must find ways to govern them responsibly: protecting people’s safety while enabling innovation and progress. And many of the greatest challenges we face, from climate change and biodiversity loss to new pathogens, require policy responses that are realistic about the potential and limits of technology. Hence, universities like ETH need to invest in interdisciplinary collaborations between researchers focusing on policy and researchers focusing on technologies. 

3. Switzerland should play a special role in strengthening global science-policy interfaces. Policy advice and strong collaborations between science and policy and diplomacy are needed not only at the local and national level, but also internationally. In times of increasing geopolitical tensions, Switzerland can bring about a lot of positive change in the world and establish particularly thanks to its neutrality, its tradition as a convening power, and its excellent scientific institutions. 

In short, in an age of rapid technological change and complex societal challenges, strengthening the relationship between science and policy is not optional — it’s essential for maintaining public trust and making better collective decisions.

If you enjoyed this post, join us for the next ETH Global Lecture on Improving Public Policy Through Science with former Swiss Federal Chancellor Walter Thurnherr and ETH Professor Tobias Schmidt, moderated by Julie Cantalou.

Date: Tuesday 7 October, 17:30-18:30

Location: HG F30 Audimax, Rämistrasse 101

Registration is required: for more details and to register visit https://u.ethz.ch/arC0x