Switzerland’s farming sector at a crossroads? While our alpine landscapes are iconic, the soil beneath them is has significant nitrogen and phosphorus surpluses that threaten our drinking water and aquatic ecosystems. This report explores strategies to improve nutrient management within the Swiss farming sector by comparing Switzerland’s regulatory framework to systems in the Netherlands, China, and Denmark. The authors identify a critical need to modernize the “Suisse-Bilanz” (the current farm-level nutrient balance tool) to make it more transparent and digitally integrated. A key message is that Switzerland should transition toward a national digital database that tracks real-time nutrient flows—such as fertilizer imports and manure exchanges—while replacing simplified “unavoidable loss” deductions with accurate, site-specific data to reduce environmental pollution without increasing the administrative burden on farmers.
IMPROVING NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT IN THE SWISS FARMING SECTOR. TURRY OUMA, CHENGCHENG MA, NICOLIN CAFLISCH, FRANK LIEBISCH. Download the report (PDF)
The report was written during seminar: „Sustainable Plant Systems“ (551-0209-00L) at ETH Zurich in 2026.
The food system encompasses all the actors that feed us: farmers, processing companies, retailers, restaurants, and consumers. This complex network faces growing challenges: climate variations, rising production costs, and societal demands for affordable and healthy products. To address these challenges, our food systems must become more resilient while remaining sustainable. At ETH Zurich, we have developed an approach to help regional policymakers transform their regional food systems.
Bridging Science and Society: New Swiss Young Academy Report Highlights Innovative Teaching Formats
How can universities better prepare students to collaborate with society and address real-world challenges? A new publication by members of the Swiss Young Academy takes a close look at this question — and offers practical answers for educators and institutions across Switzerland.
“Innovative Teaching Formats at the Science-Society Interface: Reflections and Future Directions in Swiss Higher Education” is the latest report by Benjamin Hofmann, Clara Zemp, Sandra Bärnreuther, and project assistant Morgane Genin. Rooted in hands-on experiences and supported by examples from Swiss higher education, the report explores how teaching formats can meaningfully connect academic learning with societal needs.
Ever wondered if your research has shaped public policy? Sage Policy Profiles, a free tool from Sage Publishing, lets you find out. Powered by Overton’s database of more than 10 million policy documents, the platform allows researchers to search their name or ORCID ID to see where their work has been cited or mentioned in policy papers worldwide.
How do we build better bridges between science and policy? Addressing challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and social inequities requires more than scientific knowledge or political will. It also takes a set of competencies that are often invisible: the ability to listen carefully, recognize diverse roles, navigate complexity, and engage at the right time and place.
If you are an early-career researcher with exciting new research with valuable insights for policymakers, then why not create a poster of your research and join the UN-ETH Forum? Over two days (20-21 October 2025), you will be able to present your research to national and international policymakers, practitioners, and other researchers.
Are you interested in a policy related career? Join us and gain valuable insights into the professional world and career paths of various ETH alumni working across different policy domains and organizations at a national and international level! The event will feature a panel conversation and Q&A session with ETH alumni currently working in policy, followed by a networking apéro.
A new report titled “On Science for Policy and Diplomacy Education in Switzerland and Beyond: A Brief Overview” has just been released, offering timely insights into the growing field at the intersection of science, policy, and diplomacy. Published by the Swiss Young Network for Science Policy and Diplomacy (SYNESPOD) of the Swiss Young Academy, in collaboration with the Geneva Science-Policy Interface (GSPI) and the Franxini Project of Reatch, the report maps educational opportunities for early-career researchers and professionals in Switzerland, Europe, and globally.
