In November 2025, during the final edition of the long-standing public dialogue series Treffpunkt Science City at ETH Zurich, I had the opportunity to listen to a deeply personal and moving talk by Daniel Albertin, the mayor responsible for the small mountain village of Brienz in the canton of Graubünden. His story stayed with many in the audience that afternoon. Today it resonates even more strongly. The residents of Brienz can finally return to their homes after more than a year of evacuation. The danger of a major rockfall has eased for now. It is a moment of joy for the community and for the authorities who carried this responsibility.

When a mountain begins to move

Albertin opened his talk with a simple yet powerful question: What does a mayor do when his entire village must leave its homes?

Brienz is a small village of around 80 residents in the Swiss canton of Graubünden. For generations the mountain above the village moved slowly. A few centimetres per year felt normal to those who lived there. Monitoring began around the year 2000 to observe the slope. The situation changed in 2017 when the speed of the landslide suddenly increased. Movement that once measured six or seven centimetres accelerated to forty centimetres per year. Later it reached more than two metres annually.

Scientists and authorities realised that something unusual was happening. Beneath the mountain lies a massive sliding layer around 150 metres deep. Millions of cubic metres of rock move slowly across this surface. Over time, measurements, drilling projects and geological studies helped experts understand the scale of the phenomenon.

Researchers from ETH Zurich played an important role in analysing this complex situation. Using advanced computer simulations and hazard modelling, scientists helped authorities better understand how the mountain might behave and what risks the village could face.

Still, knowledge does not remove uncertainty. It only helps people prepare.

The difficult decision to evacuate

Albertin described the moment when theory turned into reality. In 2023 authorities ordered the first evacuation of Brienz. Residents had to leave their homes within a strict deadline. The mayor walked through the village with local firefighters to confirm that everyone had gone.

A place filled with familiar faces suddenly felt empty. Closed shutters replaced daily life. For Albertin it was one of the most difficult moments of his public service.

A massive rockfall soon followed. Nearly two million cubic metres of debris rushed down the slope and stopped about fifty metres before the village school building. The evacuation had been the correct decision.

Scientific modelling helped guide these critical decisions. Jordan Aaron, an expert in engineering geology at ETH Zurich, ran thousands of simulations using a computer model he developed to assess how far and how fast a potential rockfall could travel. The results were incorporated into the risk assessment used by authorities in Graubünden and the municipality of Albula/Alvra when deciding whether evacuation was necessary.

A second evacuation began in 2024 as the situation remained uncertain. Residents lived away from their homes for more than a year. Some families found temporary housing elsewhere. Children moved to different schools. The community learned to live with waiting.

Science, monitoring and difficult choices

Throughout the crisis, cooperation between scientists, engineers and local authorities proved essential. Monitoring systems track the movement of the slope day and night. Sensors measure ground displacement and provide early warning if conditions change.

Another important contribution came from the research of Johan Gaume, professor of Alpine Mass Movements at ETH Zurich and the WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SLF. Together with his team, Gaume developed simulation software to estimate how far landslides and rock avalanches could travel. Shortly before the major rockfall in 2023, his team produced a blind prediction of where the sliding mass might come to rest. When the event occurred, the outcome closely matched the model’s forecast. The result provided rare empirical confirmation of the model’s accuracy.

Such research highlights how scientific expertise can support communities facing natural hazards. Data, simulations, and field observations help decision-makers evaluate risks and prepare for events that cannot be controlled but can sometimes be anticipated.

Albertin spoke with great respect about the role of research and scientific advice. Experts from universities and geological institutes worked closely with cantonal authorities and the municipality.

A major technical solution also emerged. Engineers constructed a drainage tunnel designed to reduce water pressure inside the mountain. Early results show that the movement of the landslide has slowed significantly. What once moved more than two metres per year now moves only a few centimetres.

Even so, Albertin emphasised caution. Technical structures can stabilise a slope for decades or perhaps longer. No solution can control nature forever.

Between staying and starting again

One of the most sensitive questions concerns the future of the village. Some residents want to remain in Brienz and rebuild their lives there. Others prefer to start again somewhere else.

Authorities therefore created an additional option. Residents who do not wish to return permanently can move to a new location with financial support before disaster strikes. This preventive relocation model recognises that safety and peace of mind mean different things to different families.

Albertin explained that both choices deserve respect. Those who stay must feel that their home still has a future. Those who leave must receive support and dignity in their decision.

A day of return

Today the story of Brienz enters a new chapter. Geological assessments show that the immediate threat of a major rockfall has decreased. The movement of the slope has slowed to millimetres per year. Authorities have lifted the evacuation order.

For many people the moment is emotional. Some homes reopen after months of silence. Others remain closed for now while families consider their next steps. Life does not return overnight. Communities need time to rebuild routines, restore services and rediscover the rhythm of daily life.

Albertin described it as a day of joy for the people of Brienz and for the authorities who guided the village through years of uncertainty.

Lessons from a mountain village

The story of Brienz offers lessons far beyond one Alpine valley.

• First, it shows the importance of trust between science, authorities and citizens. Research from institutions such as ETH Zurich helped authorities evaluate risks and prepare for potential disaster.
• Second, it highlights the human side of natural hazards. Evacuation is not only a technical measure. It touches identity, home and belonging.
• Finally, it reminds us that resilience grows through cooperation. Engineers, geologists, researchers, local officials and residents worked together to face a challenge that none of them could solve alone.

During his talk, Albertin spoke with honesty about uncertainty, responsibility and hope. Now, as the village opens its doors again, those words feel even more meaningful.

For the people of Brienz, the mountain remains part of daily life. Yet today the village breathes again. And that alone is a reason to celebrate.

Watch the talk below in German:

To mark the upcoming International Women’s Day on 8 March 2026, and inspired by this year’s theme Give to Gain, we are shining a light on some of the remarkable women whose perspectives and experiences enrich the ETH Ambassadors blog. By giving our attention to their stories, we gain a deeper appreciation of the curiosity, creativity and commitment that shape our community.

Below, we invite you to revisit a selection of their posts. Each one offers a unique window into the people and ideas that make ETH Zurich a vibrant, diverse and forward‑looking place.

1. NASA JPL: Building a Researcher in Turbulent Times

“I can confidently say that during my time at JPL, I grew both as a researcher and as a person.” In this article, Tenzin Tsultrim shares how a four-month internship at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory shaped her. 

As part of the inaugural Space Systems Master’s programme at ETH Zurich, launched by former NASA Head of Science Thomas Zurbuchen, Tenzin stepped straight into the heart of planetary research. From numerically simulating Venusquakes to field-testing infrasound sensors, she contributed to work that could one day help detect seismic activity on Venus.

At the same time, she witnessed the realities of turbulent times in the U.S., including visa delays, budget cuts, and uncertainty at JPL. What stayed with her most was the resilience, humility, and optimism of the people around her.

Read more: NASA JPL: Building a Researcher in Turbulent Times

2. Trust, Transparency, and the EU AI Act

In the piece as captured by Viktoria Österdahl, Liisa-Ly Pakosta, Estonia’s Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs, and ETH Professor Effy Vayena, a leading voice in digital ethics, explore how trust, transparency, and practical regulation are shaping AI governance in Europe.

Drawing on Estonia’s digital-first model and Switzerland’s sectoral approach, they discuss the implementation challenges of the EU AI Act, the importance of citizen data ownership, accountability, and clear limits for AI systems, and the need to balance innovation with protection. The conversation highlights that building trustworthy AI requires courage, cross-border learning, and regulatory frameworks that earn public confidence while keeping pace with rapid technological change.

Read more: Trust, Transparency, and the EU AI Act

3. From Pilot to Practice: Building Plant-Based Value Chains at ETH Zurich

In the blog piece, Daniela Hoffmann shares how she is leading the transdisciplinary Plant4Value project at ETH Zurich to accelerate the shift toward sustainable, plant-based food systems in Switzerland. 

By bringing together 24 partners across the entire value chain, from farmers to policymakers, the project pilots practical solutions such as farmer support schemes, technological innovation, and demand-generation strategies, all rigorously evaluated for their social, economic, and environmental impact. Hosted at the Albert Einstein School of Public Policy, Plant4Value demonstrates how collaboration between science, policy, and practice can unlock scalable pathways to a more resilient food future.

Read more: From Pilot to Practice: Building Plant-Based Value Chains at ETH Zurich

4. From Olympian to Cookbook Author

What does it mean to balance excellence in sport, academia, and beyond? Few people embody that question more fully than Emma Pooley, ETH alumna, Olympic silver medalist, world-class endurance athlete, and now engineer and author.

In this piece based on a recent We Are ETH podcast, Emma Pooley shares her extraordinary path from Cambridge mathematics student to elite endurance athlete, a PhD in engineering at ETH Zurich, and authoring and publishing a cookbook – Oat and Joy. 

Read more: From Olympian to Cookbook Author

Want to listen to more content instead? We have curated a list of all the women guests of the We Are ETH Podcast.

When violence starts between or within countries, one of the most important and most difficult questions is, how can it be stopped?

Peace mediators, humanitarian actors, peacekeeping forces, and governments face these types of questions almost every day. Despite the central role ceasefires play in ending wars and protecting affected civilians, practical knowledge of how to design, implement, and sustain them is not always available – or accessible – to all relevant actors.

Hence, the Ceasefire Project, a collaboration between the Center for Security Studies (CSS) at ETH Zurich and the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD Centre) in Geneva, was established. Supported by the European Union and complemented by partnerships with researchers from the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO), Uppsala University, as well as experienced ceasefire experts and mediation practitioners from the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), the project aims to strengthen global capacity to design, negotiate and implement ceasefire efforts in ways that reduce violence and create space for negotiating lasting peace between conflict parties.

A recently published videos series conveys key messages from the extensive body of data, research and practical experience on ceasefires to make essential ceasefire knowledge accessible to mediators, peace experts, and peacemakers worldwide.

This blog provides you with a bird’s eye-view of the Ceasefire Project’s key insights captured in the form of the video series called “Understanding Ceasefires: A Practical Video Course”. Four of the eight videos are summarised below:

Eight Principles for Effective Ceasefires

The video series opens with, “Essential Ceasefire Principles,” which highlights eight building blocks that make ceasefire agreements realistic and durable. Rather than offering idealized solutions, the series underscores that ceasefires are effective only when they reflect the specific realities of a given conflict. Nevertheless, a number of core principles can serve as useful guidelines:

• Context matters: A ceasefire must reflect the political and military dynamics on the ground. There is no universal formula.
• Clarity prevents misunderstandings that can lead to escalation: Even small ambiguities in language can lead to misunderstandings that reignite violence.
• Inclusivity improves compliance: When local communities, women’s groups and civil society are meaningfully involved in shaping a ceasefire, the likelihood of sustained adherence to agreements increases.
• Ceasefires are not peace agreements: They create breathing space and reduce harm, yet they must be integrated into a broader political process if they are to lead to long-term stability.

The video explains that ceasefires may fail for two main reasons. First, conflict parties lack the will to stop fighting, or the power asymmetries between them may hinder negotiations. Second, agreements may fail because they overlook essential technical elements or rely on assumptions about conditions on the ground that do not actually exist.

Watch: Essential Ceasefire Principles

Humanitarian Pauses, Cessation of Hostilities, and Definitive Agreements: Understanding Ceasefire Types

Ceasefires are often spoken about as if they were all the same, yet the second video, “Types of Ceasefires,” demonstrates the opposite. It illustrates the spectrum of ceasefire arrangements, ranging from short humanitarian pauses designed to enable the delivery of aid or civilian evacuations, to preliminary ceasefires that can serve as stepping stones toward definitive ceasefires and formal peace deals.

The video highlights several essential distinctions between types of ceasefires:

• Declaration of intent: Often the first step, where parties express willingness to reduce violence even before violence reduction mechanisms are in place.
• Cessation of hostilities: A more formal commitment that begins to regulate conduct and restrict certain military actions, yet without clear monitoring and/or verification. An example is the UN-brokered nationwide truce in Yemen in 2022.
• Preliminary ceasefires: A more formalized cessation of hostilities that also has a clear timeline and monitoring and/or verification mechanisms. The idea is to pave the way for political negotiations. Examples include the Sudanese Nuba Mountain Ceasefire Agreement reached in Switzerland on the Bürgenstock in 2002.
• Definitive ceasefires: Detailed, negotiated agreements addressing core security questions and anchoring principles of later security transitions and disarmament processes. Examples include the security sections in the Sudan Comprehensive Peace Agreement in 2005, or in the Government of Colombia-FARC peace agreement in 2016.

Understanding these categories is vital because mediators must choose the right type of agreement for the specific moment and context. Attempting to negotiate a definitive ceasefire when the political environment only permits a limited humanitarian pause may undermine both.

Watch: Types of Ceasefires

The Art and Precision of Ceasefire Design

Another video in the series, “Ceasefire Design,” brings together the Ceasefire Project’s technical insights and illustrates the wide range of details that must be considered during ceasefire negotiations.

Key elements include:

• Clear definitions of prohibited actions, which can cover everything from troop movements to drone flights.
• Disengagement plans, specifying how and when forces withdraw or reposition to reduce accidental or intentional clashes.
• Threat reduction measures, including weapon cantonment, hotlines between commanders, and restrictions on heavy weaponry.
• Sequencing and timelines, ensuring that expectations are realistic and aligned with political and logistical conditions.

One of the video’s most striking points is how small technical oversights can have outsized effects. For example, a ceasefire that bans artillery shelling but does not address reconnaissance drones may quickly break down because one side interprets drone flights as preparation for attack.

Watch: Ceasefire Design

From Agreement to Reality: Making Ceasefires Work on the Ground

Designing a ceasefire is only part of the challenge. The video, “Ceasefire Implementation,” explores the complex procedures required to ensure that an agreement is translated into a lived reality for conflict-affected communities.

The video highlights several indispensable components:

• Interim security measures, such as the joint security management of demilitarised zones, help to stabilize volatile areas.
• Joint Ceasefire Commissions (JCC), which provide a forum for parties to address incidents, clarify rules, and adapt to new developments, with the aim of restoring compliance when parts of the agreement are violated.
• Monitoring and/or verification missions, which report to the JCC and can range from international observers collaborating with conflict parties to also include locally staffed monitoring networks, depending on what is feasible and trusted in a given context.

One of the video’s key messages is that implementation mechanisms are not add-ons. They are essential structural elements that determine whether a ceasefire will hold, especially in environments where trust between parties remains fragile.

Watch: Ceasefire Implementation

Importance of this Work

The Ceasefire Project is motivated by a simple yet urgent insight: armed conflicts across the globe are increasing in number and becoming more fragmented and complex, with civilians frequently caught between shifting frontlines. Effective ceasefire practice is therefore a critical tool for reducing violence and creating openings for diplomacy.

By bringing together the real-world experience of practitioners and rigorous academic research, the project bridges the gap between the field and the classroom. The resulting knowledge base supports mediators, conflict parties, and international organizations as they navigate the complex task of translating commitments to stop fighting into meaningful and sustainable change on the ground.

For ETH Zurich’s Centre for Security Studies, the project reflects a long-standing commitment to evidence-based research on peace and security. It also underscores a fundamental aspect of ETH’s global role: when expertise is combined with collaboration, knowledge becomes a tool for protecting lives.

Explore the full video series and learn more about the Ceasefire Project: Understanding Ceasefires – A Practical Video Series Produced by the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD) and the Centre for Security Studies (CSS) at ETH Zurich.

See also the recently published book on ceasefires: Ceasefires – Stopping the Violence and Negotiating Peace – Center for Security Studies | ETH Zurich

For more details see: Ceasefireproject.org

What will the cities of the future feel like? Will they be cooler, more resilient, more human, or simply bigger, faster, and hotter? According to ETH alumna Estefanía Tapias, no one has the answer. And that uncertainty is exactly what makes cities so fascinating.

In the latest episode of the We Are ETH podcast, host Susan Kish sits down with Estefanía, an architect, urban scientist, and Head of Smart & Digital for WSP in the Middle East, to explore her journey from Colombia to Zurich to Dubai and to understand how she is helping shape the cities of tomorrow in some of the world’s most extreme climates.

From Medellín to Zurich to Dubai: A Journey Shaped by Curiosity

Estefanía’s story began far from the desert skylines she works with today. Growing up in Colombia, she dreamed of becoming an artist. Architecture came next, followed by technology, data, and ultimately cities themselves.

“I’ve always been curious about cities,” she says. “How they evolve in 5, 10, 20 years… no one knows where we will be.”

That curiosity eventually brought her to ETH Zurich, where she completed her PhD under renowned professor Gerhard Schmitt at the Future Cities Laboratory. This pioneering hub blended urban science, technology, climate research, and design long before “smart cities” became a buzzword.

“For me, ETH was the perfect combination,” she recalls. “A visionary professor, a cutting-edge laboratory, and a city, Zurich, that I fell in love with at first sight.”

Those six months for her Master’s thesis turned into eight years. Zurich shaped not just her research but her life as well: “I ended up marrying a Swiss person. My daughter is Swiss. Everything came together very nicely.”

Why Dubai? A Laboratory for Big Ideas

Today, Estefanía works in Dubai, which she describes as similar to what Singapore felt like 15 years ago: a place buzzing with ambition, experimentation, and large-scale technological investment.

“There’s a momentum here,” she explains. “You see it in day-to-day life. They’re pushing innovation everywhere. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t, but that is simply part of building the future.”

She also points to Saudi Arabia, where entire cities are currently being built from scratch, something that no other region in the modern world is attempting at a comparable scale.

“In my lifetime, I will only have this opportunity once,” she says. “You learn from all the cities that came before, meaning what worked and what did not, and you apply it to a place being built from zero.”

Some projects succeed quietly. Others, such as The Line, have faced challenges. But even the difficult experiments matter.

“They pushed technology forward,” she says. “If it weren’t for these ambitious projects, the software and systems we use for city-building would not have advanced as quickly.”

When Heat Becomes the Challenge and the Teacher

Estefanía’s PhD focused on urban climate and sustainability long before she ever experienced what 45°C heat really feels like. “When I arrived in Dubai, the heat was unbearable. I thought: I cannot do this,” she laughs. “By my second summer, I realised I had adapted.”

Her research helped her recognise something essential:

Cities must adapt as well.

Extreme heat now shapes how cities must be designed, influencing shading, materials, energy systems, and public spaces. Traditional Gulf urbanism provides valuable clues, and technology offers new tools, yet people ultimately remain at the center.

“We need buildings that work with the environment instead of working against it through endless air conditioning,” she says. “There is so much opportunity to rethink how cities respond to heat.”

Why ETH? Vision, People, and a City That “Grew Organically”

When asked why she chose ETH Zurich for her PhD, Estefanía answers without hesitation: “It was the person I would work with, and it was also the city.”

Professor Schmitt’s vision shaped her academically. Zurich shaped her personally and professionally.

“It is modern but not too modern. It is technological but still full of culture. It is clean, safe, close to nature, and still very much a city,” she reflects. “It grew organically. It is still my favourite city in the world.”

Her perfect Zurich moment?

“A coffee by the lake, looking at the mountains full of snow.”

Advice to Young Urbanists: Move Where Cities are Moving

For students who dream of shaping cities, she offers the same advice she once received: “Go where things are happening. Don’t stay comfortable. Live in the places that are changing fast and learn from them.”

Her own path reflects that philosophy, moving from Turin to Zurich to Singapore and eventually to Dubai.

“It is easy to criticise from far away,” she says. “I wanted to come here, experience it, and solve problems instead of just pointing at them.”

Looking Ahead: The Future No One Can Predict

When asked what she is most curious about today, Estefanía lights up: “Future cities. How they evolve. How systems change. I wish I had a machine that took me 10 years forward and then brought me back.”

Until such a machine exists, she is helping build that future herself.

This article is based on We Are ETH, the podcast highlighting ETH Zurich alumni who are shaping science, industry, and society around the world. Listen to the full episode on your favourite platform.

As the year comes to a close and the holiday lights begin to glow across Zurich and other cities, we take a moment to look back at the stories that shaped 2025 and inspired many on the ETH Ambassadors Blog. It has been a year defined by innovative scientific research, bold ideas, invaluable internships, global partnerships, and inspiring voices.

From quantum connection between Switzerland and India, to improving public policy through science, to trees revealing the secrets of mountains, to talk on sleep research, to student adventures across Southeast Asia… Our top-performing posts show what makes ETH Zurich truly special and unique: a spirit of exploration grounded in science, enriched by people, and connected to the world.

Whether you are curling up with a warm cup of tea, sipping a festive glühwein at a Christmas market, relaxing on a flight home or simply enjoying a quiet moment between the holidays, re-visit a few of our 2025 Holiday Reading List. A curated selection of the year’s most-read ETH Ambassadors Blog posts, they will help you re-live the moments that made us pause, wonder, reflect, giggle and smile, and spark your curiosity for the year ahead. Happy reading, and happy holidays!

1. Strengthening Global Quantum Connections: India and ETH Zurich Join Forces

“The collaboration between ETH Zurich and Karnataka reflects a shared vision. Quantum technology has immense potential to shape the future of computing, communication, and sensing. By connecting leading research ecosystems, we accelerate both scientific discovery and real-world impact.” — Andreas Wallraff

This post celebrates a milestone year for ETH Zurich’s global partnerships as we deepened cooperation with leading Indian institutions to advance quantum research. From shared projects to a jointly built vision for future technologies, this collaboration embodies the best of science diplomacy.

Read more: Strengthening Global Quantum Connections

2. Trees as Sensors: A New Tool for Slope Movement Detection

“Curiosity can take you far beyond the classroom — sometimes straight into the forest.” — Lorenz Hübel

This beautifully written piece by ETH Zurich mathematics student Lorenz Hübel captivated readers with its blend of science, storytelling and scenery. During his internship at SLF Davos, he uncovered how tree rings hold centuries of geological insight — and how nature itself can become a scientific partner.

Read more: Trees as Sensors

3. How Can Science Truly Inform and Improve Public Policy?

“Would we be better off if we had seven Nobel laureates in the Federal Council?” — Walter Thurnherr

This lively discussion at the ETH Global Lecture struck a chord in a year when public trust and scientific evidence were more important than ever. Professors Tobias Schmidt and Walter Thurnherr emphasized that the key ingredients of good policy are not just data — but humility, dialogue, and collaboration.

Read more: Improving Public Policy Through Science

4. Sleep Well – Knowing How!

“Sleep is a human right. Deprivation is torture.” — Caroline Lustenberger

In this beautifully written reflection by Charles Bara, readers dove into a talk that reframed sleep not as a luxury, but as an essential foundation of health. Drawing from more than 15 years of neuroscience research, Professor Caroline Lustenberger explained how our routines, stress levels, environment, and modern habits shape the quality of our rest and why understanding the brain’s rhythms matters more than quick fixes.

Read more: Sleep Well – Knowing How!

5. CERAWeek 2025: Navigating the Energy Landscape in an Era of Change

“Net-zero requires navigating uncertainty with clarity, courage, and cooperation.”

Written by Ayca Duran, Fiona Kriwan and Giacomo Matteo Mastroddi, this report from one of the world’s most influential energy conferences made waves. The authors unpacked global debates on energy security, clean technologies, and the evolving role of ETH Zurich in shaping the international energy conversation.

Read more: CERAWeek 2025

6. How to Avoid MESTakes in South-East Asia: A Student Advice

“Cultural awareness isn’t a detail — it’s a superpower.” — Giuseppe Nappi

Giuseppe’s practical, witty and insightful guide quickly became one of our most-read student stories of the year. Packed with advice on navigating cultural differences, embracing openness, and avoiding common missteps, it resonated with anyone preparing to travel, study or work in Southeast Asia.

Read more: Avoiding MESTakes in SE Asia

Looking Forward to 2026

As we wrap up this vibrant year, we are reminded that the ETH community thrives when we share our experiences — from labs and lecture halls to conferences, mountain trails, and cultures around the world.

Thank you to all the contributors who brought their stories to life, and to our global readers who engaged, reflected, and carried these insights forward.

We look forward to an exciting 2026 filled with new discoveries, new voices, and new connections.

Until then, enjoy the break, stay curious, and happy holidays from the ETH Ambassadors team!

How can we redesign the global energy system to meet the needs of both our economies and the environment? What are the economic risks and where are the opportunities for our society? And what can each of us do to contribute to solutions?

When Lint Barrage, Professor at the Department of Management, Technology and Economics at ETH Zurich, stepped on stage at Treffpunkt Science City this autumn on 16 November 2025, she didn’t begin with charts, equations or policy terms as it could be expected given the talk was about energy and climate protection. Instead, she began with a photo, intriguing….!

But a satellite image of the Korean peninsula at night, the south bright with economic activity, the north nearly dark, set the tone for her central message: energy is the lifeblood of modern civilisation. It is the invisible infrastructure behind our prosperity, our safety and our wellbeing. And rethinking how we produce, use and value energy will determine whether we can protect both our economy and our climate.

What followed was one of the most thoughtful, nuanced, motivating, inspiring, engaging and human-centred perspectives on climate and energy I have ever heard.

Seeing the World As It Is And As It Could Be

Professor Barrage invited us to zoom out and look at the global energy system with clarity. Today, humanity consumes the equivalent of 8 million atomic bombs in energy every year. Despite impressive growth in renewables, 80% of global energy still comes from fossil fuels.

And yet, as she reminded us, nearly 1 in 10 people worldwide still has no access to electricity, and half the global population lives with unreliable energy. Without energy, there is no modern healthcare, no education, no economic opportunity. “There are no rich countries that use little energy,” Barrage noted, a simple but profound observation.

This poses an unavoidable reality: the future growth in energy demand will come almost entirely from developing economies. Their choices will shape the fate of the global climate.

So where does Switzerland fit in?

With just 0.1% of global emissions, Switzerland alone cannot change the climate trajectory. But it can influence the world profoundly — not through size, but through innovation, policy leadership, and the ability to develop technologies others can adopt.

That, Professor Barrage argued, is where our responsibility lies.

Avoiding The Illusion Of “Domestic Only” Solutions

One of the most striking parts of her talk was her explanation of how well-intentioned climate policies can backfire. For example, if Switzerland simply bans all emissions-intensive production domestically, manufacturing will move abroad, often to countries with higher carbon intensity.

The result?

Lower Swiss emissions on paper, but higher global emissions in reality.

The alternative is far more ambitious and far more promising: Switzerland developing technologies, business models and policy frameworks that can be exported worldwide.

Her example of low-emission Swiss cement said it all: if cleaner Swiss innovations became the global standard, worldwide emissions could drop by up to 3%, thirty times Switzerland’s annual footprint. That is the leverage of innovation.

Incentives, Investments and the Power of Innovation

Reaching net zero will require more than goodwill. It demands:

• Smart incentives to reduce emissions, such as carbon pricing
• Massive investments into the energy transition – more than CHF 100 billion in Switzerland alone
• Focused innovation, from hydrogen to carbon capture to sustainable aviation fuels
• Stable political frameworks that make long-term investment possible

Professor Barrage showed clearly that technologies exist but too often, they are still too expensive or not yet deployed at scale. Clean innovation, she emphasized, doesn’t happen automatically. It requires intention, support and thoughtful policy.

A Climate Strategy With A Human Heart

But perhaps the deepest message of the talk was not about economics. It was about people.

Transitions create winners as well as losers. Workers in fossil industries, communities dependent on resource revenues, and low-income households facing rising energy costs all bear risks in the energy transition.

These realities, Barrage urged, must be acknowledged with empathy and seriousness.

Policy must be economically sound and socially fair.

She quoted her doctoral advisor, Nobel laureate William Nordhaus: “We need to approach these issues with a cool head and a warm heart.”

Evidence and compassion. Logic and empathy. Climate ambition anchored in humanity.

Walking Out Inspired

Leaving the auditorium, I felt a rare combination of clarity and motivation. Professor Barrage didn’t sugar-coat the challenges. She didn’t offer simple answers. Instead, she offered something far more valuable: a way to think about climate and energy that is honest, innovative and deeply human.

Her message is one that stays with you:

• Think globally
• Design smart incentives
• Invest in innovation
• Build policies that people can believe in
• And above all, combine a cool head with a warm heart

Please watch Professor Barrage’s full talk in German here:

In a move that emphasises the growing international significance of quantum research, a high-level delegation from the Indian state of Karnataka, led by Minister for Minor Irrigation, Science and Technology N.S. Boseraju, recently visited ETH Zurich to explore new opportunities for collaboration in quantum technologies.

During their visit to the ETH Quantum Center, Minister Boseraju met with Professor Andreas Wallraff, Professor Jonathan Home, and Professor Klaus Ensslin, whose pioneering work in superconducting qubits and trapped ion systems places ETH Zurich among the global leaders driving the next generation of quantum computing.

“ETH Zurich represents the birthplace of modern quantum computing, where fundamental science has been transformed into working technology,” said Minister Boseraju. “Connecting Karnataka’s emerging quantum ecosystem with such world-class expertise is a privilege and an opportunity for transformative collaboration.”

The visit comes as Karnataka, home to India’s technology capital, Bengaluru, advances its vision to establish Quantum City (Q-City), a new multidisciplinary research and innovation hub for quantum technologies. The state aims to emulate ETH Zurich’s collaborative model, which connects academia, startups, and industry across Switzerland through shared research infrastructure and interdisciplinary exchange.

A Glimpse Into ETH’s Quantum Ecosystem

At ETH Zurich, the delegation explored state-of-the-art Superconducting Qubit and Trapped Ion laboratories, witnessing firsthand how ETH’s coordinated approach has enabled groundbreaking progress in quantum science and technology. These efforts are spearheaded by the ETH Quantum Center, founded in 2020 under the ETH+ Initiative on Quantum Science and Technology. The center serves as a collaborative platform uniting more than 30 research groups across disciplines, from physics and engineering to computer science and materials research.

Professor Andreas Wallraff, founding director of the Quantum Center and a world-renowned expert in superconducting quantum circuits, shared insights into ETH’s strategy for fostering innovation through both academic excellence and entrepreneurial spin-offs. One such success story is Zurich Instruments, an ETH spin-off that develops precision measurement systems used in quantum laboratories worldwide, including in India.

Inspiring Global Collaboration

Minister Boseraju’s discussions with ETH researchers focused on how Karnataka can adapt and localize ETH Zurich’s model of coordinated quantum research under the Q-City Bengaluru initiative. The envisioned hub will combine academic excellence, industrial innovation, and startup entrepreneurship to advance quantum hardware development and strengthen India’s position in the global quantum landscape.

“The collaboration between ETH Zurich and Karnataka reflects a shared vision,” said Andreas Wallraff. “Quantum technology has immense potential to shape the future of computing, communication, and sensing. By connecting leading research ecosystems, we accelerate both scientific discovery and real-world impact.”

ETH Zurich at the Forefront of Quantum Innovation

For decades, ETH Zurich has played a central role in shaping the field of quantum science, from foundational physics to real-world applications. As the home of the Quantum Engineering Master’s Programme, the ETH+ Quantum Initiative, and several leading research laboratories, ETH continues to act as a hub for interdisciplinary collaboration and talent development.

Professor Wallraff’s own journey exemplifies ETH’s pioneering spirit. His research has advanced our understanding of quantum electrodynamics in superconducting circuits, laying the groundwork for scalable quantum processors. Under his leadership, ETH has established one of the world’s leading infrastructures for quantum experimentation and training, enabling students, researchers, and partners to collaborate at the highest scientific level.

Towards a Shared Quantum Future

The Karnataka delegation’s visit marks a milestone in strengthening academic and innovation ties between India and Switzerland. As both regions invest in the future of quantum technology, ETH Zurich remains committed to fostering open collaboration, sharing expertise, and nurturing the next generation of quantum scientists and engineers. With initiatives like Q-City in Bengaluru and the ETH Quantum Center in Zurich, a global network of quantum innovation is taking shape, one that connects continents, accelerates knowledge exchange, and drives technological transformation for a sustainable future.

In the latest episode of We Are ETH, host Susan Kish speaks with ETH alumni Sue Tobler (Physics) and Remo Gisi (Computer Science), the creative forces behind Tastelab. The Tastelab is a Zurich-based culinary studio where data, algorithms, and physics come together to reinvent plant-based gastronomy. What began as a curiosity-driven experiment has grown into a pioneering business that blends scientific precision with sensory storytelling.

“At ETH, we learned to think in systems,” says Sue. “Now, instead of equations and particles, we work with flavours, textures, and emotions but the mindset is the same. It’s still about understanding how things interact and how small changes can create something completely new.”

At Tastelab, Sue and Remo treat cooking as both an art and an experiment. They use data analysis, sensory testing, and physical modelling to perfect each dish. For them, food is a medium where algorithms can guide intuition and physics shapes taste. “A recipe,” Remo explains, “is really just an algorithm, a process that solves the problem of flavour.” Their approach to algorithmic cooking and heat-transfer-informed design turns each plate into a data-driven yet deeply human creation, proving that precision and play can beautifully coexist.

Sustainability lies at the heart of their work, but not in the way it’s often portrayed. Since 2020, Tastelab has gone fully plant-based, a decision born not from restriction but from curiosity. “We don’t want to preach sustainability,” Sue notes. “We want people to fall in love with it — to taste how good the future can be.” Their philosophy is simple: lead by inspiration, not obligation. Whether they’re crafting a plant-based foie gras or developing new techniques to mimic the texture of fish, their dishes highlight what’s possible when creativity and conscience meet science.

Their years at ETH Zurich gave them not only the technical foundation but also the courage to experiment and build something new. Sue recalls her student days as formative:

“Organizing student events taught us to improvise, to lead, and to learn fast. It’s the same now — running Tastelab is one long, fascinating experiment.” Remo adds, “ETH taught us to never stop iterating. Whether it’s code or cuisine, it’s about testing, failing, and improving repeatedly.”

For both, moving from corporate jobs to entrepreneurship wasn’t a leap of risk but a natural continuation of curiosity. “At some point,” Remo shares, “you realize that waiting for the perfect idea is pointless. You start with what you have, experiment, and learn your way forward.”

Their advice to young innovators is clear: follow your curiosity, even when it takes you off the beaten path. “If something excites you,” Sue says, “there will be a way to make it work and if there isn’t, create one.”

From pop-up gastronomy to bespoke dining experiences, Tastelab is redefining the future of food, one data-driven dish at a time. With every experiment, Sue and Remo invite people to taste science, experience sustainability, and rediscover joy through flavour.

Listen to the full episode of We Are ETH to hear how Sue Tobler and Remo Gisi are turning algorithms into aromas and curiosity into cuisine.

“I agree to disagree” is a common phrase among policy experts, though at the ETH Global Lecture on Improving Public Policy Through Science on 7^th October, there was remarkable alignment on one key point: bridging the worlds of science and politics is both essential and challenging.

Attending the Lecture was both enlightening and thought-provoking. The event brought together Walter Thurnherr, former Federal Chancellor of Switzerland, and Professor Tobias Schmidt, Director of the Institute of Science, Technology and Policy at ETH Zurich, in a conversation moderated by Julie Cantalou, former Co-Secretary General of the Swiss Green Liberal Party, whose background made the discussion especially relevant and insightful. Together, they explored one of the most crucial and complex questions of our time:

How can science truly inform and improve public policy?

From the very start, it was clear that bridging the worlds of science and politics requires more than just good intentions, it demands mutual understanding, patience, and trust. Thurnherr reminded us that while “science goes for truth,” policymakers often aim for what aligns with the majority’s will. This inherent tension, he argued, doesn’t make collaboration impossible, in fact it simply makes it essential. Without scientific evidence, policies risk losing direction; without political pragmatism, science risks losing relevance.

Professor Schmidt provided a complementary perspective, emphasizing that public policy is not a sprint but a marathon. Building trust between scientists and policymakers takes time, consistency, and empathy. He encouraged researchers to communicate without jargon, to make their findings understandable to those outside their fields, and to create long-term “policy cycles” that ensure science is continuously integrated into decision-making. His message was clear: it is not just about producing knowledge, but it is about making knowledge usable.

The discussion also introduced the exciting vision behind the new ETH School of Public Policy to be launched soon, led by Schmidt, which aims to become a leading hub for dialogue between research and governance. Its mission is threefold: to educate the next generation of scientists about policymaking, to conduct cutting-edge research that supports evidence-based decisions, and to foster ongoing dialogues between academia and government. Thurnherr described it as an ambitious but vital initiative – one that will require not just more science, but structures, incentives, and strong institutional support for those willing to operate at the science-policy interface. He noted that many of the world’s challenges, from managing AI and digital transformation to addressing complex national and international challenges, are deeply rooted in technology, making ETH’s role more relevant than ever.

One of the most striking reflections came when Thurnherr posed a question to the audience:

“Would we be better off if we had seven Nobel prize laureates in the Federal Council (Switzerland) to solve the problems of public policy?”

His point was profound – while science provides facts and evidence, policymaking also involves ethics, values, and societal priorities. Both worlds must work hand in hand, respecting their different but complementary roles.

As I listened, I found myself reflecting on the importance of communication and humility in this process. It’s not enough to have the right data; what truly matters is how we convey it, how we listen, and how we collaborate. The future of good governance lies not only in innovation and technology but also in building trust between experts and citizens.

My key takeaway from this inspiring evening is that evidence-informed policymaking is, at its core, about people — scientists who step beyond their laboratories, policymakers who are open to listening, and institutions like ETH Zurich that foster spaces for genuine dialogue. Thurnherr also reminded us that ETH’s original mission in the 19th century — to educate engineers who directly served the needs of the country — remains just as relevant today. Back then, science and policy were closely intertwined, and perhaps it’s time to reclaim that spirit. As he aptly noted, it is often the challenges themselves that bring science and politics together — and through that exchange, meaningful solutions can emerge.

Leaving the event, I felt hopeful. ETH Zurich is not only advancing scientific excellence but also nurturing a culture of responsibility, one where knowledge serves the common good, and where collaboration between science and society is seen as a shared journey toward a better future. I found myself reflecting on the role ETH Zurich can play in this transformation. With its long-standing reputation as a trusted source of knowledge and a culture rooted in integrity and innovation, ETH is uniquely positioned to lead the way in connecting science with the societal good.

Check out the pictures from the event here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/meeteth/albums/72177720329550116/

And in case you missed, watch the talk here:

From Cambridge math to Olympic medals, PhD research to cookbook writing, Emma Pooley’s journey is anything but linear. 

What does it mean to balance excellence in sport, academia, and beyond? Few people embody that question more fully than Emma Pooley, ETH alumna, Olympic silver medalist, world-class endurance athlete, and now engineer and author.

In this piece based on a recent We Are ETH podcast, Emma Pooley shares her extraordinary path from Cambridge mathematics student to elite endurance athlete, a PhD in engineering at ETH Zurich, and authoring and publishing a cookbook – Oat and Joy. 

From Mathematics to Engineering

Emma’s academic path began in mathematics at Cambridge, but when the subject became “too abstract,” like group theory, she decided to change to engineering. That change eventually brought her to ETH for a PhD in geotechnical engineering, under the supervision of ETH Zurich Professor Sarah Springman. What was meant to be a four-year stay turned into two decades and counting.

Accidental Cycling

Emma didn’t take up cycling until her early 20s, initially as a substitute for running after an injury. It wasn’t love at first ride: 

“The human backside did not evolve to sit on a bike saddle,” she jokes. 

But supportive friends, cake stops during club rides, and the Swiss Alps soon changed everything. What began reluctantly in Cambridge transformed into an elite career in professional cycling after she moved to Switzerland.

Balance Between Science and Sport

Juggling a PhD with international competitions was never easy. Emma recalls long nights at the centrifuge lab followed by gruelling training camps and 60+ races a year. Yet her dual focus brought balance: 

“When racing didn’t go well, research was there and vice versa. It gave me perspective.”

Her supervisor’s support was crucial. Professor Springman advocated for part-time arrangements, enabling Emma to pursue both science and sport at the highest levels.

Reinvention After Retirement

After years of professional cycling, including an Olympic silver medal, Emma shifted gears again, first to triathlon and later to new challenges: co-authoring a cookbook (Oat to Joy), working in sport media, and eventually returning to engineering. Today, she applies her ETH training to real-world projects in geotechnical engineering, collaborating with colleagues, many of them fellow ETH alumni, on natural hazard and building projects.

What Do We Learn?

Emma’s story is as much about perspective as performance. She reflects:

“Most things worth doing in life are not easy. Balancing two demanding paths feels hard at times, but in the long run, it makes you stronger. You may not always be the Usain Bolt of your field, but it’s possible to be excellent in more than one thing.”

From Cambridge to Zurich, cycling tracks to centrifuges, Emma Pooley reminds us that success is not linear, it’s about the courage to adapt, the joy of learning, and the value of staying true to one’s passions.

Listen to the full podcast episode here or watch below: WE ARE ETH Podcast