Interested in politics? The SNSF’s politics courses for researchers will be back in 2025

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How can I integrate my research into political processes? These one-day courses will provide insights into the Swiss political system and how researchers can get involved.

Today's societal challenges have become so complex and multi-layered that research and politics must come together to tackle them. However, this can only work if policymakers engage with science and researchers understand politics.

Whether you are new to the dialogue between research and politics or have previous experience with the Swiss political system, our politics courses are designed for you. Offered by the SNSF in collaboration with Reatch’s Franxini Project, these courses will provide participants with the tools to effectively contribute their research to political processes.

One-day courses offered in German, English and French

Since 2023, the one-day intensive courses have provided researchers with the opportunity to deepen their understanding of the Swiss political system and to explore how research and politics can come together. Through focussed discussions on topics such as "science and politics" and "participation in political and public discourse", participants will learn how to identify the right contacts in parliaments and administrations, effectively present their concerns within the relevant context and understand the roles they can play in fostering dialogue between research and politics.

Open to all researchers in Switzerland

Funded by the SNSF, these courses are free of charge for researchers at all career levels and across all disciplines at Swiss higher education institutions. Three courses will be offered in Bern in 2025: 10 March in German, 16 June in English, and 3 November in French. The number of participants is limited to 20 for each course.

These courses are in high demand. Forty applications will be accepted, from which 20 participants will be selected. Given that courses were fully booked within a very short time in previous years, we recommend registering early.

When selecting participants, priority will be given to those with a well-founded, concrete and clear interest in the intersection of research and politics. The courses are also intended to support early-career researchers who are actively engaged in research.