SNSF Politics course for researchers

This course is aimed at researchers (doctoral candidates and above) from all disciplines living in Switzerland. It provides practical knowledge about Swiss politics so that you are not only scientifically competent, but also politically informed to shape changes and institutions that benefit society as a whole. This one-day intensive training is designed as a first introduction to the Swiss political system and will provide international researchers with options for contributing to the policy- making process and the public discourse even if they do not speak one of the national languages.

Participants learn to identify the relevant contacts in parliaments and administrations and to understand where and how they can effectively engage in political affairs. Researchers learn to contextualise their statements in political discourse, assess their public impact and protect themselves from instrumentalisation.

Participants will specifically :

• learn the basics of the Swiss political system;  
• understand the distinct roles of researchers in the policy- making process;  
• learn who relevant intermediary actors are between research and politics in Switzerland and globally; 
• understand how to translate their research for the political and public discourse. 
• The acquired knowledge will be practiced in a case study evolving over the day. 

This course is funded by the SNSF and organised together with the Franxini project of the think-and-do tank ‘Reatch! Research. Think. Change’. The Franxini Project is further supported by Stiftung Mercator, Gebert Rüf Stiftung and other partners.

The Franxini Project was initiated by the Swiss scientific think-and-do tank «Reatch! Research. Think. Change.» with the aim of fostering understanding between science, politics and society. Through its further education programme and consultation services, the Franxini Project provides researchers with important skills and knowledge for their interaction with politics. Our innovative dialogue events facilitate a solution-oriented exchange between researchers, political decision-makers and civil society. This collaboration enhances the quality of decision-making processes, strengthening the vitality of our democracy.