Results

Retreat Reflecting on the Situation of BPOC/Jewish/Migrant and First Generation Early-Career Scholars

From 13th to 15th September 2021, self-identified ECRs affected by racism, antisemitism and classism reflected on the situation of BIPOC, Jewish, migrant and first generation early-career scholars in academia together with mentors. In a protected space, the participants identified current issues in Swiss higher education and research institutions. The participants identified a silence around race and racism in Swiss higher education, which often makes it difficult to “pin down” issues. Various racialised participants mentioned that they feel they are being discounted and their perspectives are side-lined or denied, or that they feel tokenised. Informal support networks, mentoring, and role models have been identified as important, but it was mentioned that these hardly exist. Racialised ECRs mentioned that there is a lack of support when racism gets addressed (both legally and interpersonally). International ECRs shared that salary scales are intransparent and that there is a lack of rights for international researchers due to the restrictive migration law. The participants also noted that information is often not available to non-German/French/Italian speakers, and that there is a lack of language courses at times that are feasible for researchers. It was also mentioned that equality offices often fail to understand how gender works intersectionally, and that racism is presented as a non-issue or as not their issue. The participants felt that measures to address the underrepresentation of historically marginalised groups in permanent positions are insufficient.

The retreat was organised by Stefanie Boulila, Estefania J. Cuero, Alexandre Bovet, Gustavo Ruiz Buendía and Anna Jobin.

Workshop with representatives of ECRs and representatives of central stakeholders

The workshop “Devising Specific Proposals to address Inequalities and Precarious Working Conditions in Academia” on 24th September 2021 brought together representatives of ECRs and central stakeholders to co-create solutions for pressing issues ECRs are faced with.

Together with the workshop participants Annelise Erismann (PhD candidate at UNIL) and Andrea Guzmán Mesa (PhD candidate at UniBE), SYA project member Dr. Stefanie Boulila reported on the issues identified during the retreat. Amongst other representatives of early career researcher associations, members of the “Petition for more Permanent Jobs in Academia: Better Research, Teaching and Working Conditions”, Hannah Schoch and Lisa Rieble (PhD candidates at UZH and co-presidents of VAUZ), César Jaquier (PhD candidate at UniNE and member of ACINE), Laure Piget (PhD candidate at UniGE and board member of ACCORDER), Martina von Arx (PhD candidate at UniGE and co-president of actionuni), Dr. Kelly Harrison (secretary general of ACIDUL) and Dr. Maria Reva (PostDoc at EPFL and member of EDPA). Amongst other representatives of central stakeholders in Swiss research and education, they received advice from Karin Spycher (head of SYA), Dr. Marianne Mathys (head of the University of Basel Career Advancement Office), Anna-Lea Imbach (trade union secretary education and equality VPOD Zurich), Joel Schaad (coordinator of better science), Dr. Stefanie Hof-Seiler (head of the Graduate Center Basel), Anna Krebs (project lead Franxini-project at reatch), David Fuchs (former president of VMB), Dr. Leandra Knecht (MP Argovia for the GLP-PVL and former representative of MIM), Amanda Gavilanes (MP Geneva for SP-PS), Fabien Fivaz (president SECC and MNP for Grüne-Vert-e-s), Dr. Andreas Keller (vice-chair GEW) and Christian Dandrès (MNP for SP-PS). Further valuable input was contributed by Prof. Dr. Caspar Hirschi (professor at HSG and co-author of VISION 2020), Dr. Markus Zürcher (general secretary of SAGW-ASSH) and Dr. Matthias Hirt (Vice-Rectorate Research UniBe for junior researchers, co-author of VISION 2020). 

Both the morning discussions among the representatives as well as during the afternoon, when the advising experts joined, were very lively and productive. Thanks to the open-minded and respectful atmosphere, personal experiences were shared and fundamental questions raised. The identified issues span a broad range of areas. And while many well thought out propositions had existed previously, three main barriers on the way to their realisation were identified: First, the knowledge on the workings of complex Swiss academic system, especially regarding its financing and policy making, is often limited among ECRs including SYA members, frankly, who’s majority spends only a short period of time in Switzerland. Second, even if the adequate stakeholder had been identified and contacted, the representatives reported their efforts were often met with little interest. And third, the time ECRs can spare for participation is especially limited in today’s competitive environment. Thus, past ambitious initiatives have been outlived by the comparatively slow policy making process. 

The workshop was organised by the SYA project members Marloes Eeftens, Fanny Georgi, Sabrina H. Kessler, Lucas Mueller and Robbie I'Anson Price.

Propositions to challenge inequality and precarious working conditions in Swiss academia

Following the retreat and the workshop, interested participants and the project members formulated five concrete propositions for five problematic areas that had been identified at both events.

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

Public panel discussion on propositions with central stakeholders

The devised solutions were proposed to a panel of experienced stakeholders in research and education during the public panel discussion “Paving the Way to the Future of Swiss Academia” on 21st October 2021. Facilitated by SRF science editor Dr. Daniel Theis, deputy director of the Division Research and Innovation at SERI Dr. Nicole Schaad, president of the ETH Board Prof. Dr. Michael Hengartner, president of VPOD-SSP and member of the national council Prof. Dr. Katharina Prelicz-Huber, president of SECC and member of the national council Fabien Fivaz and vice-president of SAGW-ASSH Prof. Dr. Cristina Urchueguía discussed the five proposals, their feasibility, and possible next steps.

The descriptions of the problems were received compassionately by the panel, as all could relate to aspects of the challenges reported. In lively discussion of the identified issues and the devised suggestions to address them, both on and with the panel, the panellists openly responded to the often critical questions by the audience. Accordingly, the collegial atmosphere and discussion of equal partners were especially appreciated by the audience. The panellists pointed out first points of action, such as the preparation of the SERI Message 2025-28, and agreed to continue their efforts to challenge precarity and inequality in Swiss academia.

The panel discussion was organised by Marloes Eeftens, Fanny Georgi, Sabrina H. Kessler and Lucas Mueller.