Hey there, I am Jean Louis. When I began my Master’s in Comparative and International Studies (MACIS) at ETH Zurich, I expected to move between research, data and policy. I did not expect that one of my most valuable lessons would come from learning how to connect institutions.

During my traineeship in Data and Partnerships with the Director’s Office of UNITAR’s Division for Prosperity in Geneva, I had the opportunity to work across background research, concept notes, project documents, landscape analysis, programme implementation, data analysis, monitoring and evaluation, partnerships, and strategic planning. The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) provides innovative learning solutions to individuals, organisations and institutions to strengthen global decision-making and support action at the country level. Its work made me curious about how research and expertise can be translated into practical solutions that help institutions address real-world challenges.

Being both an ETH student and part of a UN organisation placed me in an unusual position. I often found myself looking at the same challenge from two perspectives. On the academic side, there was deep technical knowledge and research expertise. On the UN side, there were very concrete operational needs. I became increasingly interested in how we can make those two worlds connect more effectively.

This became especially concrete when I identified an opportunity for collaboration between academic institutions and international organisations. What started as a simple connection developed into institutional discussions, concept development, budgeting and project coordination. The collaboration eventually led to a successful project submitted through the IGAIP funding call, designed to connect UN entities with research groups and strengthen the UN’s capacity to deliver its mandate in the age of AI.

This experience also introduced me to opportunities to connect academic expertise in AI with practical learning needs in international organisations. Being familiar with both academic and institutional environments allowed me to help facilitate communication between stakeholders and explore potential areas of collaboration.

This experience changed how I understand partnerships. I think they are not simply agreements. They depend on people who understand different organisational languages, recognise opportunities and keep the momentum going.

I saw the same situation at a broader level through my contribution to data analysis task linked to the UN80 Initiative Action Plan. It reinforced the same lesson: expertise creates greater value when institutions are able to connect their knowledge, resources and people effectively.

Alongside partnership development, I contributed to the implementation and impact evaluation reporting of three programmes over nine months, using surveys, data analysis and Power BI. I also explored how causal-inference methods could strengthen the evaluation of the training.

My ETH training in research methods, causal inference, AI and policy analysis strongly shaped how I approached this work. It gave me the tools to question assumptions, analyse evidence and think carefully about methods to analyse the impact effectively

Looking back, what I value most is not only that a project moved forward, but that I learned how much initiative can matter. Large institutions may appear difficult to connect, but collaboration often begins with noticing that two sides have something valuable to offer each other. My experience between ETH Zurich and UNITAR taught me that I enjoy working in exactly that space: between research and implementation, data and policy, and institutions that can achieve higher impact when they work together.

Mars rovers first sparked my curiosity. They eventually took me to NASA, across deserts and the Arctic, and back home to ETH Zurich. German version below.

As a child, I was fascinated by the idea of exploring other worlds. In primary school, I gave a presentation on NASA’s Mars Pathfinder mission, copying pictures from magazines onto overhead projector transparencies. Around twenty years later, I found myself working at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory with the Chief Engineer of that very mission. For me, that was a rather special moment.

At JPL, I developed prototypes for the search for chemical signs of life on Mars and on the icy moons of Jupiter and Saturn. What I always found particularly exciting was the connection between science and engineering: taking a scientific question and turning it into an instrument that could actually work under extreme conditions. In the Atacama Desert, we tested such systems during simulated Mars missions, and in the Arctic beneath the sea ice, as preparation for the future exploration of ocean worlds such as Europa or Enceladus.

Despite having a permanent position at JPL, I had the sense that something was beginning to move in Switzerland. Robotics, deep tech and startups were developing rapidly, international technology companies were expanding their presence, and a new momentum was also emerging in the space sector. In my view, Switzerland has many of the ingredients needed for the future of space: excellent research, strong engineering, precision technology and a remarkable concentration of talent. I wanted to be part of that development early on and help build something. After many years abroad, there was also a personal motivation to give something back to my home country and to ETH.

Today, I am Director of Space Research Initiatives at ETH Zurich | Space. What drives me is still very similar to what motivated me at JPL: curiosity, science, technology and the question of what we might discover next. The difference is that I now work across a much broader range of topics and, above all, with many different people. Together with our team and researchers from across ETH, we develop new concepts, dig into scientific and technical questions, and try to turn promising ideas into real projects and missions.

That is one of the aspects I enjoy most: space exploration almost never comes from a single discipline. It happens when people with very different backgrounds work together on a difficult problem. That is also why I particularly enjoy working with students and the next generation. Of course, I sometimes miss the days when I would spend hours in the lab building, soldering or trying to get an instrument to work. But today, with a strong team, I can work on far more ideas than I ever could alone.

The curiosity that first drew me to Mars Pathfinder as a child is still very much the same.

Deutsche Version:

Als Kind faszinierte mich die Vorstellung, andere Welten zu erkunden. In der Primarschule hielt ich einen Vortrag über die NASA-Mission Mars Pathfinder und kopierte dafür Bilder aus Zeitschriften auf Hellraumprojektor-Folien. Rund zwanzig Jahre später arbeitete ich am Jet Propulsion Laboratory der NASA mit dem Chief Engineer genau dieser Mission zusammen. Für mich war das ein ziemlich besonderer Moment.

Am JPL entwickelte ich Prototypen für die Suche nach chemischen Spuren von Leben auf dem Mars sowie auf den Eismonden von Jupiter und Saturn. Besonders spannend fand ich immer die Verbindung von Wissenschaft und Technik: eine wissenschaftliche Frage zu nehmen und daraus ein Instrument zu entwickeln, das unter extremen Bedingungen tatsächlich funktionieren kann. In der Atacama-Wüste testeten wir solche Systeme während simulierten Marsmissionen, in der Arktis unter dem Meereis, als Vorbereitung auf die Erforschung von Ozeanwelten wie Europa oder Enceladus.

Trotz meiner unbefristeten Festanstellung am JPL hatte ich das Gefühl, dass sich in der Schweiz etwas bewegte. Robotik, Deep Tech und Startups entwickelten sich rasant, internationale Technologieunternehmen bauten ihre Präsenz aus und auch im Raumfahrtsektor entstand neue Dynamik. Die Schweiz hat aus meiner Sicht sehr viele Zutaten, die es für die Raumfahrt der Zukunft braucht: hervorragende Forschung, starke Ingenieurwissenschaften, Präzisionstechnologie und eine grosse Dichte an Talenten. Ich wollte früh Teil dieser Entwicklung sein und mithelfen, etwas aufzubauen. Nach vielen Jahren im Ausland spielte auch der Wunsch eine Rolle, etwas an mein Heimatland und an die ETH zurückzugeben.

Heute bin ich Director of Space Research Initiatives bei ETH Zürich | Space. Was mich antreibt, ist aber immer noch sehr ähnlich wie damals am JPL: Neugier, Wissenschaft, Technologie und die Frage, was wir als Nächstes entdecken können. Nur arbeite ich heute an einer viel grösseren Bandbreite von Themen und vor allem mit sehr vielen unterschiedlichen Menschen. Gemeinsam mit unserem Team und Forschenden aus der ganzen ETH entwickeln wir neue Konzepte, gehen wissenschaftlichen und technischen Fragen auf den Grund und versuchen, aus vielversprechenden Ideen reale Projekte und Missionen zu machen.

Das gefällt mir besonders: Gute Raumfahrt entsteht fast nie in einer einzigen Disziplin. Sie entsteht dann, wenn Menschen mit unterschiedlichen Hintergründen gemeinsam an einem schwierigen Problem arbeiten. Deshalb macht mir auch die Arbeit mit Studierenden und der nächsten Generation grosse Freude. Natürlich vermisse ich manchmal die Tage, an denen ich selbst stundenlang im Labor gebaut, gelötet oder ein Instrument zum Laufen gebracht habe. Aber heute kann ich mit einem starken Team an viel mehr Ideen arbeiten, als ich es alleine je könnte.

Die Neugier, die mich als Kind zu Mars Pathfinder gebracht hat, ist jedenfalls noch dieselbe.

Ask me one question and I’ll probably answer with three of my own. My favourite word at the age of three was “why”. Not much has changed since. My curiosity took me into journalism, where asking questions is literally the job.

Eight years later, I had learnt something unexpected: finding the answer is only half the work. What really matters is how you tell it, so that people actually want to listen. That insight led me into communications and, this summer, to the meet ETH team at ETH Zurich.

Many hats, one mindset

My first weeks have been all about wow² Space, our big event coming up 31 October to 1 November. Publishing content for new website system, creating a printed flyer or briefing an external team for a highlight video: on paper, these tasks look very different. What they have in common is that none of them worked without bringing people together and finding solutions, sometimes even under time pressure. Neither the website launch nor the print date for the flyer was going to move. Each time, I could draw on what I’ve learnt in very different places: newsrooms, corporate communications and, perhaps for some surprisingly, an aircraft cabin.

Asking questions at 30,000 feet

Alongside my work at ETH, I fly as a freelance flight attendant for Swiss. It’s my passion, and it teaches me a lot I bring to the office. Every flight means a new crew and a plane full of new faces. That takes teamwork, patience and flexibility. And, yes, questions: asking a guest or a colleague the right one often leads to the solution. Whenever I introduce myself to new people, I mention my passion for flying. Almost every time, the questions follow, and for once, I’m the one answering them. Often, that’s how a quick introduction turns into a real conversation. I’ve realised that a personal passion is something that connects people and stays with them once you dare to share it. But you only dare when you feel safe.

Safety first, on board and off

In the cabin, safety always comes first. It turns out the same is true for teams. During my CAS in Women Leading Digital at the HWZ in Zurich, psychological safety was one of the topics – and for me the most important one.

It’s the foundation of any working relationship: the shared belief that you can speak up, ask questions or make mistakes without being judged. I’ve also experienced how much energy it takes when you’re not sure how much of yourself to show. That taught me how much trust shapes the way people work together. At meet ETH, I’ve felt that trust from day one: I can simply be myself, curious, enthusiastic and slightly nerdy.

Looking back on my first weeks, I’ve learnt new names, new processes and roughly a thousand new acronyms. I still get lost in the main building from time to time. But above all, I’ve learnt that I’m in the right place. I still haven’t stopped asking questions. Luckily, at ETH, that’s exactly what’s expected.

On 31 October and 1 November, wow² Space returns to ETH Zurich with new perspectives, new experiences and new opportunities to explore some of humanity’s biggest questions.

Simon Stähler looks back at himself and the world after 25 years (you can scroll down for the German version).

It is Friday, 11 September 2026; 25 years after the day that radically changed the lives of so many people—and, on a small scale, mine as well. I had been invited to a first interview on 20 September for an Aerospace Engineering degree at MIT; my dream of taking a first step into space research. On 14 September 2001, I received a call telling me that this round of interviews had been cancelled because of the global situation. In the general uncertainty, I buried the dream and studied physics in Germany. Over the following years of my physics studies, space drifted further and further away from me, and the 2000s were the decade of particle physics.

At some point, I discovered geophysics: the method of using physics to look inside the Earth or another planet. To this day, I have never lost that fascination: using waves or radar to see through the subsurface, something that is so close to us yet completely inaccessible. I was lucky, and some of the methods I developed over time proved useful to NASA in 2016, when they were planning a mission to Jupiter’s moon Europa; so I really did work as a consultant for NASA! And I was even luckier, because two years later, a geophysical mission landed on Mars for the first time, with the participation of ETH Zurich. By then I was working here, and I was able to become one of the first people to use data from Mars to look inside the planet—to detect marsquakes and to “hear” meteorite impacts through the ground.

Today is the last weekend before the semester begins, and on Monday I will stand in front of 45 new students. Forty-five people, most of whom did not experience September 11 themselves, will embark on a path that did not exist back then: they will study Space Systems at ETH Zurich and learn from us how to build spacecraft, how to design a scientific mission like the ones I have had the opportunity to work on, or even how to use data from space to build a startup.

It is a degree program that I designed, and in which I now have the opportunity to pass on my knowledge of scientific space missions, together with an incredible team of experts that we have built up at ETH Space over the past two years. ETH Zurich is not SupAero Toulouse or Politecnico Milano, universities where aerospace engineering has been taught for many decades, hand in hand with the major European aerospace companies located there.

But we are based in a place with incredibly exciting and innovative research—in robotics, sensing, planetary science, and many other fields. We have a dynamic startup ecosystem around ETH (as well as in Lausanne and other parts of Switzerland). With all of this, we can build a degree program focused on the technologies and concepts that are relevant to—and will be relevant to—the 21st-century Space Economy. We focus on systems engineering: putting together a complete system quickly and iteratively from existing components. We try to introduce students to working with large datasets as early as possible, because these are the key to being fast and innovative, and because we want to put them to use for Switzerland and the world. And we want to help make the space sector of the future sustainable; we do not want to transfer the damage that industrialization has caused on Earth into space.

In September of a year marked by accelerating climate change, the explosion of AI, and SpaceX’s IPO, the future is once again as uncertain as it was 25 years ago. I am proud and happy to be contributing, together with our team at ETH, in a small way to shaping that future.

In German:

Es ist Freitag, der 11. September 2026. 25 Jahre nach dem Tag, der das Leben vieler Menschen radikal veränderte – und im Kleinen auch meines: Ich war damals für den 20. September zu einem ersten Interview für ein Aerospace-Engineering-Studium am MIT eingeladen. Der erste Schritts meines Traums – ich wollte in die Weltraumforschung. So dachte ich zumindest damals. Am 14.September 2001 erhielt ich einen Anruf, dass das Interview wegen der Weltlage abgesagt sei. In der allgemeinen Unsicherheit begrub ich meinen Traum und studierte Physik in Deutschland. Über die nächsten Jahre wanderte der Traum vom Weltraum immer weiter weg von mir. Die Nullerjahre wurden für mich die Dekade der Teilchenphysik. 

​Irgendwann entdeckte ich die Geophysik. Die Methode, mit physikalischen Mitteln ins Innere der Erde oder eines Planeten zu schauen. Bis heute lässt mich diese Faszination nicht los den Untergrund – der uns so nahe, aber völlig unzugänglich ist – mit Wellen oder Radar zu durchleuchten. Ich hatte Glück, und einige der Methoden, die ich mit der Zeit entwickelte, waren 2016 nützlich für die NASA, als sie eine Mission zum Jupitermond Europa planten. So arbeitete ich doch noch als Berater für die NASA! Und damit nicht genug: Zwei Jahre später landete zum ersten Mal eine geophysikalische Mission auf dem Mars, mit Beteiligung der ETH Zürich, bei der ich mittlerweile arbeitete. So konnte ich als einer der ersten Menschen die Daten vom Mars nutzen, um in sein Inneres zu schauen; um Marsbeben zu detektieren und um Meteoriteneinschläge durch den Boden zu “hören”.

​Heute ist es das letzte Wochenende vor dem neuen Semester. Am Montag werde ich 45 neuen Studierenden gegenüber stehen. 45 Menschen, von denen die meisten “9/11“ nicht selbst miterlebt haben, werden einen Weg gehen, den es damals noch nicht gab: Sie werden an der ETH Zürich Space Systems studieren. Und von uns lernen, wie man Raumschiffe baut; oder eine wissenschaftliche Mission, wie die, an denen ich arbeiten durfte, plant; oder auch wie man mit Daten aus dem Weltraum ein Startup gründen kann. 

​Es ist ein Studiengang, den ich entworfen habe, und in dem ich jetzt mein Wissen über wissenschaftliche Raumfahrtsmissionen weitergeben darf – zusammen mit einem unglaublichen Expertenteam, das wir an der ETH Space über die vergangenen zwei Jahre aufgebaut haben. Die ETH Zürich ist nicht SupAero Toulouse oder Politecnico Milano; Universitäten, an denen seit vielen Jahrzehnten Raumfahrttechnik gelehrt wird, Hand in Hand mit den grössten europäischen Raumfahrtkonzernen vor Ort.

​Aber wir sind ein Standort mit unglaublich spannender und innovativer Forschung – in der Robotik, in der Sensorik, in der Planetenforschung und in vielem mehr. Wir haben eine dynamische Startup-Landschaft um die ETH Zürich (und auch in Lausanne und anderen Schweizer Orten). Wir können mit alledem einen Studiengang aufbauen, der sich auf die Technologien und Konzepte fokussiert, die in der Space Economy des 21. Jahrhunderts relevant sind und diejenigen, die es sein werden. Wir fokussieren uns auf Systems Engineering, also darauf, aus vorhandenen Komponenten iterativ und schnell ein Gesamtsystem zusammenzusetzen. Wir versuchen, die Studierenden so früh wie möglich daran heranzuführen, mit grossen Datensätzen umzugehen, die der Schlüssel dafür sind, schnell und innovativ zu sein, und die wir für die Schweiz und die Welt nutzen wollen. Und wir wollen helfen, die Raumfahrt der Zukunft nachhaltig zu gestalten. Wir wollen nicht die Schäden, die die Industrialisierung auf der Erde angerichtet hat, in den Weltraum übertragen.

Im September eines Jahrs des beschleunigenden Klimawandels, der KI-Explosion und des SpaceX-Börsengangs ist die Zukunft wieder so ungewiss wie vor 25 Jahren. Daher bin ich stolz und froh, mit unserem Team an der ETH einen kleinen Beitrag zu ihrer Gestaltung zu leisten.

Having moderated a few events for us since we connected with her in the days of the ETH Pavilion in Davos, it was high time to put Magdalena Skipper in the limelight as our special guest in the ETH Global Lectures Series. The Editor-in-Chief of Nature joined Nicolas Gruber, Head of the Department of Environmental Systems Science at ETH Zurich, to explore how an ecosystem perspective can strengthen research in our times of geopolitical uncertainty, growing complexity and the advent of AI.

Drawing on her experience as one of the most influential voices in scientific publishing, Magdalena offered a compelling analogy. Just as healthy natural ecosystems depend on diversity and interaction, so too does science:

“There is no healthy ecosystem out there that is not diverse.”

Thus, diversity goes far beyond demographics. Universities, industry, funders, publishers, policymakers and civil society all play distinct but interconnected roles. Nicolas, whose own work focuses on ocean ecosystems and the climate, immediately connected with the idea:

“It’s the interaction between the elements where the resilience comes from.”

That interaction was a recurring theme throughout the evening. Both speakers stressed that the major challenges facing society, from climate change to health and technology, cannot be solved in isolation. Collaboration across disciplines, institutions and borders remains essential.

Trust in a Fragmented World

A particularly thought-provoking part of the discussion focused on trust. As Magdalena noted, we live at a time when misinformation is increasing and confidence in institutions is being challenged. Yet scientific advances continue to shape almost every aspect of our lives. How do we maintain trust in science? Part of the answer, she argued, lies in engagement. Rather than communicating from an “ivory tower”, researchers must bring society into the conversation and explain not only what science discovers, but how it works. One of my favourite moments came when the discussion turned to curiosity. Reflecting on ETH Zurich’s recent Scientifica festival, Nicolas spoke about watching children delight in scientific discovery:

“We have a deeply intrinsic level of curiosity in us.”

To which Magdalena responded:

“We’re all born as scientists.”

Keeping Humans in the Loop

It would not be a Global Lecture in 2026 without talking about AI… Nicolas expressed concern that if researchers increasingly turn to AI for answers, they may lose some of the conversations and collaborations that often spark new ideas.

Magdalena shared an example from the world of scientific publishing. When researchers were surveyed about AI-assisted peer review, some early-career scientists said they would welcome AI-generated feedback because it felt kinder than comments from human reviewers. The comment sparked a wider reflection on research culture and professionalism. For Magdalena, the key challenge is ensuring that researchers remain in control:

“Let’s engage with it and make it into a tool that will be useful to us, but we continue to be in the driving seat.”

“Most of the time, things fail.”

The final part of the conversation focused on a topic that clearly resonated with the audience, judging by the number of question cards submitted. Magdalena argued that failure is not an exception in research: it is how research works. Experiments lead to dead ends. Hypotheses prove wrong. Papers are corrected. Yet these experiences are rarely discussed openly. Nicolas echoed this point from the perspective of research integrity, arguing that acknowledging mistakes should be recognised as a sign of strength rather than weakness. If researchers become too afraid of failure, they stop taking risks. And without risk-taking, truly transformative discoveries become less likely.

As the discussion drew to a close, I was struck by how relevant Magdalena’s ecosystem analogy felt. Diversity creates resilience. Collaboration strengthens discovery. Trust enables progress. And failure, uncomfortable as it may be, is often the path to innovation.

The future of science will depend not only on individual breakthroughs, but on the strength of the ecosystem that makes those breakthroughs possible.

Check out the pictures from the event here: Meet ETH Flickr

And see the recording below:

I hope this glimpse encourages you to come to a future event. I find that with our Global Lecture Series, we begin a new journey every time, giving ourselves pause to reflect on key topics on the global agenda and learning from individuals with remarkable clarity and foresight. I invite you all to come and join us! The next event will be on 12 November on the Future of Universities, with WEF Founder Klaus Schwab and ETH Zurich’s Stefano Brusoni.

As part of my journey at ETH, I had the joy of going to Tanzania with ETH4D and Helvetas for six months, where I was lucky to collaborate with a team comprising only local Tanzanians, working on a biochar project. The goal of the project was to reduce deforestation through mobilisation of untapped agricultural waste. As around 80% of the national energy demand is met with biomass, one can imagine that deforestation is a huge topic affecting water cycles and local biodiversity. To support me through this, Helvetas and ETH4D organizsed a so-called “tandem” – a local partner I worked closely with – which helped me a lot throughout my journey.

Before I left, I carried with me the idea that I was attending one of the finest universities in the world, and I went to Tanzania somewhat as a kind of Swiss knowledge producer, there to help. Looking back, I can only smile at how quickly life had other plans for that identity.

To be honest, when I first stepped out to see Morogoro, the place I would be living for the next six months, I thought to myself: What have I done? Although I had travelled to quite a few countries before, my new surroundings felt foreign to everything else I had perceived in my life; I felt completely lost and overwhelmed. There is just a completely different “rhythm” to life compared to what I’m used to be. But see for yourself in the following images:

This rhythm wasn’t chaos, as I first assumed, it was simply a different way of keeping time. Things moved in response to what was needed, emerging out of the collective rather than out of a plan. Growing up in a German-speaking country, this was a huge culture shock.

But it wasn’t just this social rhythm, the aesthetics and the environment are strikingly different too. It’s vivid, colorful and powerful. If it rains, it really rains; there’s no such thing as “Nieselregen”.

Luckily, I soon got in touch with the incredibly kind and helpful Tanzanian culture, and with my local partner, Theresia. Through her and others, I connected deeply with a mindset of collaboration in the face of real material constraints. I was really touched by this generosity and was curious about its source. Perhaps a history of socialism, the sheer year-round yield of nature, or as one friend of mine put it: “We know that here everybody is on the ground, so we just help each other.” Whatever the source was, I am not fully aware of, but what I am certain of is how this mindset made me feel at home very quickly. It also shaped my way of thinking, showing me that real problems can never be solved through fear of scarcity, egoism, and pure efficiency, but rather through a spirit of collaboration and trust.

The Swiss knowledge bringer I thought I’d be, quietly gave way to someone who had simply come to learn and to build things together with others. Going through this process was a huge gift to me, and I’m deeply convinced that there is no way forward but collaboration and shared curiosity. Perhaps that’s the real homage: not to help given, but to two sides who simply worked alongside one another, each bringing what the other lacked.

What are we looking for in space, and what can it teach us about life on Earth?

In May, wow² Space launched visitors on a journey through research, technology and imagination. This autumn, the journey continues. On 31 October and 1 November, wow² Space returns to ETH Zurich with new perspectives, new experiences and new opportunities to explore some of humanity’s biggest questions.

Across two days, visitors can follow their curiosity through exhibitions, talks, tours, workshops and performances that explore not only the universe around us, but also what it means to be human within it.

Starting with a Big Question

If you’re wondering where to begin, start with the question at the heart of this year’s event. In his opening keynote, Professor Thomas Zurbuchen invites us to reflect on a deceptively simple idea: Why space?

It is a question that echoes throughout the weekend, whether the topic is astronomy, robotics, climate research or the search for life beyond Earth. Rather than offering a single answer, wow² Space invites visitors to explore the many ways in which space shapes science, society and our understanding of ourselves.

Looking Beyond Earth

From there, the programme branches out in many directions.

You might find yourself gazing towards distant planets and wondering whether life exists elsewhere in the universe. Or perhaps you’ll step inside the historic Semper Observatory, where generations of researchers have studied the night sky, before continuing your journey through the Solar System in one of the immersive planetarium shows.

For those fascinated by the cosmos, wow² Space offers countless opportunities to look beyond Earth and explore some of the biggest mysteries still facing science today.

Imagining Humanity’s Next Steps

What comes after exploration?

For those interested in humanity’s future beyond Earth, there is plenty to discover. Meet LunarLeaper, a robot designed to tackle some of the Moon’s most challenging terrain, learn how students are developing Mars rovers, and hear from analogue astronauts who prepare for future missions by testing space-like conditions here on Earth.

Together, these projects offer a glimpse into how exploration begins long before anyone leaves the ground.

Choose Your Own Journey

What makes wow² Space stand out is the variety of ways to engage.

You can listen, watch, discuss, experiment, build, play or simply explore. One moment might find you examining meteorites or experiencing an earthquake simulator; the next you may be listening to a live podcast recording, joining a workshop about the future of the Solar System, or laughing along at a science comedy show.

For younger explorers, the weekend offers plenty of opportunities to create, code and experiment. From rockets and robotics to hands-on science activities, the emphasis is not on providing answers, but on encouraging questions.

There is no single route through the programme. Whether you spend an hour or an entire weekend exploring, the experience is ultimately shaped by your own curiosity.

And perhaps that’s exactly the point…

Explore the full programme and plan your visit here: https://ethz.ch/en/news-and-events/meet-eth/wowhochzwei.html

Further information

If you have any questions or feedback, the meet ETH team is happy to assist via email: meet.eth@sl.ethz.ch

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Follow our social channels for regular updates: LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, BluSky

As the summer draws to a close, we bring you five stories from the Connecting & Exploring section of the ETH Ambassadors Blog. Together, they show how the ETH Zurich community, including students, staff and researchers, extends far beyond campus. From Singapore to New York, Houston to Tokyo, these stories explore how international experiences broaden horizons, spark new ideas, forge lasting connections and open doors to unexpected opportunities around the world.

Here’s your curated selection of inspiring reads illustrating that ETH truly has a global reach. Happy reading!

1. Finding My Way to Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency

By Chloé Pilloud

What happens when you choose the road less travelled? 

Chloé Pilloud’s journey to Japan’s Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) is a story of curiosity, resilience and finding confidence in unfamiliar surroundings, proving that some of the most rewarding paths are the ones you create yourself.

Read more…

2. CERAWeek 2026: Shaping the Energy Future during a Global Energy Crisis

By Benedikt Buhk, Florian Mozina and Vivian Chen

Can the energy transition stay on track when the world is focused on energy security? 

Three ETH students travelled to CERAWeek, the world’s largest energy conference, to explore how industry, policy and academia are responding to a global energy crisis, and why academic voices remain essential in shaping a sustainable energy future.

Read more…

3. From Seeds to Success: Being ETH’s Gardener at the ENHANCE Alliance

By Philipp Bieri

How do international university partnerships grow from ambitious ideas into lasting impact? 

This story takes readers inside ETH Zurich’s role in the ENHANCE Alliance, showing how collaboration, student mobility and shared innovation are helping cultivate a more connected European higher education landscape.

Read more…

4. Global Young Scientists Summit 2026: A Once-in-a-Lifetime Experience

By Lucas Gobatti, Tatiana Akhmetshina, Kostiantyn Sakhatskyi, Mitchell Taylor, Eliane Ballmer, Jan Meissner

What happens when the next generation of scientists meets the people who have changed the world? 

At the Global Young Scientists Summit in Singapore, six ETH researchers exchanged ideas with Nobel laureates and leading innovators, returning with fresh inspiration, new connections and a renewed sense of purpose in their own scientific journeys.

Read more…

5. At the Other End of the World: from ETH to New York

By Defne Çetinkaya and Michelle Reinschmidt

Can a student project spark conversations far beyond the classroom? 

Two ETH architecture students travelled to New York to present their work alongside Professor Mariam Issoufou, discovering how ideas developed at ETH can inspire dialogue on architecture, culture and the futures we choose to imagine.

Read more…

Sharing Your ETH Stories

Do you have a story to tell about your role as an ETH Ambassador at home or abroad? Contact the editorial team with your idea: https://ethambassadors.ethz.ch/submit/

On 2 July 2026, ETH Zurich celebrated an important milestone: the official inauguration of the ETH Zurich Campus Heilbronn, marking a new chapter in cross-border collaboration in research, education and innovation.

The new campus will focus on artificial intelligence, data science and responsible digitalisation, strengthening connections between Switzerland, Germany and the wider European research and innovation ecosystem. The inauguration brought together Swiss Federal Councillor Albert Rösti, Germany’s State Secretary Martina Hirayama, Federal Minister Katherina Reiche and Minister Petra Olschowski, as well as ETH President Joël Mesot and Reinhold R. Geilsdörfer of the Dieter Schwarz Foundation.

But the ceremony also featured a rather extraordinary guest: Digital Einstein. Joining the inauguration via video, ETH Zurich’s digital version of its most famous alumnus had the special honour of performing the ceremonial ribbon-cutting.

The moment brought together tradition and innovation in a uniquely ETH Zurich way. Albert Einstein once walked the corridors of ETH Zurich; more than a century later, his digital counterpart helped open the doors to a new campus dedicated to shaping the future of digital transformation.

Watch the Digital Einstein ribbon-cutting:

Read Jürg Brunnschweiler’s personal reflection on the opening of the ETH Zurich Campus Heilbronn and the journey behind this historic milestone.

Find out more about the Digital Einstein here.

Get a glimpse into the Campus Heilbronn through the eyes of its general manager, Michele De Lorenzi (in German).

ETH Zurich is known around the world for groundbreaking research and innovation. But behind every discovery are fascinating places, remarkable collections, inspiring architecture, and stories waiting to be told. Through the meet ETH Tours, visitors have the opportunity to step behind the scenes and experience ETH Zurich from entirely new perspectives.

Whether you are visiting Zurich for the first time, have walked past the iconic Main Building countless times, or are simply curious about what happens inside one of the world’s leading universities, these public tours open doors that are usually closed to everyday visitors.

Led by knowledgeable guides and experts, each tour offers a unique glimpse into the people, places, and ideas that shape life at ETH Zurich. One week you might find yourself exploring the university’s rich history through original archive documents. The next, you could be discovering innovative materials that promote healthier buildings, learning how priceless collections are digitised for future generations, or standing beneath the historic dome of the Semper Observatory where scientists once studied the Sun and stars.

There is no single way to experience ETH Zurich—and that is exactly what makes these tours so special. History, science, architecture, innovation, art, sustainability, and technology all come together to create experiences for curious minds of every background.

Upcoming Guided Tours

Women in Science – Women in the History of ETH

18 August 2026 | German

Travel through 170 years of ETH Zurich’s history and discover the remarkable women who helped shape the university. Original documents from the University Archives reveal inspiring stories of pioneers, challenges, and progress towards equality.

Registration here.

Main Building Tour

7 September 2026 | English

Walk in the footsteps of Albert Einstein while exploring ETH Zurich’s iconic Main Building. Discover its impressive architecture, hidden corridors, magnificent Semper Aula, and enjoy panoramic views over Zurich from the famous roof terrace.

Registration here.

Healthy Materials

15 September 2026 | German

Can building materials contribute to our wellbeing? Visit the ETH Material Hub and discover how innovative materials influence the air we breathe, the spaces we inhabit, and the future of sustainable construction.

Registration here.

From Analog to Digital

29 September 2026 | German

Step inside the futuristic DigiCenter of the ETH Library and experience how centuries-old books, photographs, and historical treasures are transformed into digital knowledge accessible around the world.

Registration here.

Exploring the Sky

6 October 2026 | German

Discover the beautifully restored Semper Observatory, where generations of researchers once observed the heavens. Learn how scientists studied sunspots and the universe from this architectural jewel in the heart of Zurich.

Registration here.

An Experience for Everyone

All public tours are open to individuals and groups and cost CHF 10 per person. Tours are offered in German or English, with several accessibility options available to ensure as many visitors as possible can enjoy the experience.

Whether your passion is science, architecture, history, sustainability, or simply discovering places that are usually hidden from view, there is a meet ETH Tour waiting for you.

We look forward to welcoming you to ETH Zurich and showing you the university from a perspective few visitors ever experience. Check out other interesting tours from meet ETH: https://ethz.ch/en/news-and-events/meet-eth/tours.html