Networking science.

The Swiss Young Academy networks young researchers from a wide range of scientific disciplines and creates an inspiring environment for inter- and transdisciplinary exchange and innovative ideas. Its members are the representatives of Swiss science and are regarded as the young voice of the Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences.

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Challenging Inequalities and Precarious Working Conditions in Swiss Academic Institutions

The two-year project brought together PhD students and early career researchers (ECRs), their representative bodies, key stakeholders in Swiss higher education as well as policy makers to initiate a constructive exchanges about inequality (with a focus on experiences of racism and classism) and about unstable or precarious working conditions in the Swiss higher education system. The project sought to create a platform of all stakeholders to develop feasible solutions to mitigate these issuesThe overarching goal was to identify key challenges that academic working conditions pose to ECRs and their career development in Switzerland, with particular attention to how such working conditions have an impact on ECRs who are affected by racism and classism. The project organised two annual retreats to facilitate open discussions that enabled both the project team and ECRs from across Switzerland who have experiences of racism and classism as well as a series of workshops with policy makers and university administrators. The retreats facilitated gaining a deeper understanding of the complex problems in the Swiss academic system. These retreats also provided a platform for participants to voice out and critically debate issues pertaining to their experiences of the Swiss higher education system as marginalised groups, as well as to exchange strategies and identify support resources for participating successfully in Swiss academia. A follow up workshop sought to devise specific proposals for addressing precarity and instability in Swiss academia taking into account the issues and insights gained from annual retreats. The main outcome of the project was the formation of a working group on “Innovative Policies for Fostering Academic Careers in Switzerland” and the establishment of a network of self-identified BIPOC/Jewish/migrant and first generation ECRs in Switzerland.

Background

As the relationship between, economic and societal expectations towards academic research and higher education,, research and university funding, and career expectations is shifting globally, many early career researchers (ECRs, referring to graduates within about 5 years after obtaining their PhD) experience increased competition and report detrimental working conditions also in Switzerland (Reducing the precarity of academic research careers, OECD, 2021). In an effort to objectify the evaluation of research(ers), academic performance is being quantified, often discounting their individual contribution, opportunity or circumstances. This has even more severe implications for the lives and careers of already marginalised scholars. Due to the growing disproportion between doctoral graduates and permanent faculty positions, as well as decreasing funding opportunities, PhD students and ECRs experience the increasing competition and pressure to perform, and feel the consequences for their career, quality of work, personal life, mental health, and overall research culture. Ultimately, this reduces the quality of research and (higher) education as well as innovation in Switzerland.

Goals

Investigate the working conditions ECRs in Switzerland and the challenges they are currently facing, especially those affected by racism and classism.
Gain a deeper understanding of the complex and heterogeneous Swiss academic system and interdependencies and the effects on ECRs.
Launch a constructive conversation between PhD students and ECRs, their representing bodies and key stakeholders in Swiss higher education as well as policy makers together on fundamental issues and feasible suggestions for solutions to mitigate inequality and precarious working conditions.
Initiate a self-sustaining transformative network of marginalised ECRs affected by racism and classism.

Activities

Retreats

Creating space for First-gen/BIPOC/Jewish/Migrant ECRs, Retreat for self-identified ECRs affected by racism, antisemitism and classism and mentors, 13th to 15th September 2021

Creating a Network for ECRs affected by Racism and Classism, Retreat for self-identified ECRs affected by racism and classism and mentors, 29th to 31st August 2022

Workshop

Devising Specific Proposals to address Inequalities and Precarious Working Conditions in Academia, Workshop with PhDs, ECRs, their representative bodies and central stakeholders to co-create solutions, 24th September 2021

Proposition paper

Propositions to challenge inequality and precarious working conditions in Swiss academia

deutsch (pdf) | english (pdf) | français (pdf)

Panel Discussion

Paving the Way to the Future of Swiss Academia, Panel discussion with experienced stakeholders in research and education on the proposed measures, 21st October 2021

The joint project Innovative Policies for Fostering Academic Careers in Switzerland continues the effort to initiate a working group of key stakeholders in Swiss research and education.

Project Speakers

Fanny Georgi (2022)

Gustavo Ruiz Buendia (2021)

Project Members

Boulila Stefanie, Bovet Alexandre, Eeftens Marloes, Mueller Lucas, Estefania Cuero (2021), Anna Jobin (2021), Sabrina Kessler (2021), Posholi Lerato (2022), I'Anson Price...

Results

more information here