ETH Zürich PhD-Programm in Science & Policy: Building Political Support at Zurich-Basel Plant Science Center; Parlamentarischer Besuch und Lobbyistengespräch
Zurich-Basel Plant Science Center
PhD Program in Science & Policy: Building Political Support
Lecturer: Sarah Bütikofer (Global Governance; ETH Zürich), Sebastian Koehler (Queen Mary University of London), Larissa Mettler (effectiva), Marcel Falk (Swiss Academies of Sciences) Location: ETH, Zentrum, Day 1 (ETH), Day 2 (visit to Berne) & Day 3 (ETH) Dates: 27.08., 24.09. and 29.09.2026 Credit Points: 2 ECTS
Course Description: During the last decades different ways of bridging science and policy have been explored. Policy is understood as a principle or guideline for action in a specific context. In this course, the students shall learn what kind of actions are necessary to implement policies in different sectors, such as public agencies, the civil society or the private sector at national and international scale. Who are the main actors and when do they need to be involved?
Decision and policymakers in Switzerland and the European Union This lecture gives an overview on main actors in the policy-making process in Switzerland the European Union.
Process of policy endorsement This lecture introduces the essential steps in the process of policy endorsement in Switzerland and the European Union, including examples related to plant sciences and ways to form alliances with policymakers at national and European scale.
Getting support from policymakers will depend among others, upon convincing them of the benefits that implementing the actions can provide and upon the timing. The aim of the course is to know where it is possible to exert influence on the political process as a scientist, an expert, a lobbyist or an interested Swiss or European resident/citizen. Knowing the decision makers is central to exerting influence on negotiations and decision-making processes.
On the second course day, a visit to the Swiss Parliament and an interview with a parliamentarian as well as a lobbyist is scheduled.
On the third course day, the participants’ case study work will be presented following a workshop on advocacy conducted by Larissa Mettler.
Course Program / Learning Objectives Participants will • Identify the relevant policy- and decision-making sectors in Switzerland and the European Union
Zurich-Basel Plant Science Center
• Understand the common procedures for establishing and monitoring measurable national and European goals and targets. • Identify the different legislative measures existing in Switzerland and in the European Union • Know different existing policy management and oversight arrangements. • Plan for successful impact
Prior Knowledge: enrolled students will be provided with preparatory literature; apart from this, no prior knowledge is required.
Number of Participants: 18
Individual Performance and Assessment: Students work in case study groups fulfilling different tasks. Please note: In the weeks between the two workshop days (August 27 and September 29), you should plan for available time for group work and individual work of min. 30 hours.