The online magazine of the University of Bern

A matter for men.

History of science

Women were excluded from science for a long time. What were the reasons? What has changed since then, what still needs to be done?

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Health and medicine

All articles about health and medicine

Equal opportunities

Science and family: New ways of making them compatible

Reconciling a family and an academic career is full of high hurdles and sacrifices. Young doctors and researchers want to change this, supported by initiatives that want to create better framework conditions.

Scientist portrait

“Many diseases are linked to changed microbiota”

Stephanie Ganal-Vonarburg investigates how the gut microbiota can influence the human immune system. In the video, she talks about her research and the challenges of doing science as a mother of young children.

Animal research

A “thank you” to animal caretakers

Researchers and animal caretakers got to know each other at a breakfast at the University of Bern. The aim is to intensify personal contact and make the mutual appreciation of their joint work visible.

Scientist portrait

Fighting parasites with animal experiments and cell cultures

Britta Lundström-Stadelmann studies the dog and fox tapeworm, which is dangerous to humans. In the video, she talks about what makes her work as a researcher and co-director of an institute so special.

FOKUS

Women in Science

Comprehensive equality

From the advancement of women and diversity to equal opportunities

Claudia Willen, head of the Equal Opportunities Office, explains how the University of Bern is setting new priorities in equality and inclusion – going beyond the traditional advancement of women, in which it has been a Swiss pioneer since 1990.

Photography

Future dreams in pictures

Their enthusiasm is clearly seen when they talk about their dream jobs. Our series of photos captures the big dreams of five girls and young women who can imagine a future in science.

Teaching as a woman and a man

Transgender in professional life: Kathrin aka Martin Föhse

What is it like to work in the academic world as a woman or as a man? Law scholar Martin Föhse is familiar with both gender roles: He lived as a woman for ten years, during which time he completed his doctorate and taught. He has been living as a man again for several years now.

University and studies

All articles about university and studies

Better Science Initiative

“Rethinking excellence”

Excellence at the University is to be rethought to make it easier to reconcile an academic career and a family. This is what the “Better Science Initiative” demands, explains Heike Mayer, co-initiator and Vice-Rector of the University of Bern.

Aniversary celebration

Anna Tumarkin – the University of Bern celebrates its pioneer

Many prominent female figures and a packed auditorium: on the occasion of Anna Tumarkin's 150th birthday, the University of Bern honored its first fully-fledged female professor – and thus the first female professor in history.

A question for Katrin Karl

Research and teaching – how do you manage the balancing act?

Balancing research and teaching is challenging. A professor of Slavic linguistics explains what exciting things can come out of it and why she values the exchange with students.

Top athlete Sascha Lehmann

From the climbing wall to the lecture course

The European champion in lead climbing and Olympic participant maintains a balance between top athletic performance and intellectual inquisitiveness. How does he manage to combine his passion for climbing with a challenging course of study at the University of Bern? A glimpse into the everyday life of the athlete.

Matter and universe

All articles on matter and universe

Scientist portrait

«I am like a molecular architect»

Eva Hevia is researching chemical compounds that combine metals and organic components. Her aim is to develop new molecules in a more sustainable manner. In the video, she talks about the challenges of her role as a professor.

Daniel Batora

Developer of a healthy flavour enhancer

Daniel Batora is a postdoc at the Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine. He wants to use a newly discovered class of plant molecules to help food manufacturers make their products healthier.

Jo Ann Egger

The student who controls a space telescope

"It's really cool to have a space telescope observe what I tell it to observe!" So says doctoral student Jo Ann Egger, the youngest and first student member of the CHEOPS science team. How did she get there?

Jupiter moon Europa

NASA mission with Bernese participation

On October 14, 2024, NASA's Europa Clipper mission began its journey to Jupiter's moon Europa. The aim is to investigate if the icy moon currently has habitable conditions. Four researchers from Bern are part of the mission's scientific teams.

Study on "ecological debt"

Heat extremes cause long-term damage to ecosystems

Ecosystems use different strategies to protect themselves from the negative effects of heat extremes. A study by the University of Bern shows: The full extent of the ecological impact only becomes apparent after the end of a heat extreme.

Intercultural knowledge

All articles about intercultural knowledge

Places at the University of Bern

Ancient treasures in industrial charm

Hidden in the Länggasse district, two stories below a university building, is the University of Bern’s Collection of Classical Antiquities – a place with over 200 plaster casts of statues from ancient times that invites you travel back into the past.

Postcolonial studies

“Afrotopia” – postcolonial perspectives for the entire planet

A new generation of intellectuals is further developing the postcolonial debate – from an African perspective and from the perspective of the African diaspora. This gives rise to utopian plans for the future of the African continent, but also far beyond it.

Afrofuturism

Under the sign of Sankofa

The Djiboutian novelist Abdourahman Waberi reflects on his Dürrenmatt Guest Professorship in World Literature in Bern. Together with his students, he pondered the possibilities: Could the future be African? His vision, symbolised by a West African animal, is clear and optimistic.

Educational science

“Those who feel comfortable and belong learn better”

Motivation and emotion are two key success factors in the learning process, as educational scientists Tina Hascher and Julia Mori explain in the interview. They have organized an international conference on this topic in Bern.

Politics and administration

All articles about politics and administration

Guest lecture

Edward L. Glaeser asks: what makes cities competitive?

In a lecture at the University of Bern, American economist Edward L. Glaeser discussed the question of how cities can better prepare for challenges. After all, urbanization is increasing, which means there is a need for sufficient housing and efficient infrastructure.

World Trade Institute

Will Trump derail world trade?

The World Trade Institute (WTI) has been a major influence on international trade law for 25 years. Founder Thomas Cottier and director of studies Isabelle Van Damme discuss what the Trump presidency means for world trade and what the WTI can contribute to solving the current challenges.

The research project

Working with Africa to optimise administrations

Researchers at the Centre for African Smart Public Value Governance (C4SP) study practices in Africa and aim to use this knowledge to strengthen African governments and administrations through local cooperation.

In focus

Can we achieve the energy transition?

Renewable energies are to be expanded, but there is resistance to specific projects. How can we achieve the energy transition by 2050? An interview with political scientist Isabelle Stadelmann, economist Doina Radulescu and Cornelia Mellenberger, CEO of Energie Wasser Bern.

Economics

“Switzerland doesn’t need a big bank”

Economics cannot predict bank crashes or crises, says Professor of Economics Aymo Brunetti. But their insights would help us to mitigate the adverse effects of financial crises and fight inflation.

Sustain-
ability

All articles about sustainability

Biodiversity

Two new fish species discovered in Swiss waters

The public can take part in a survey to decide on the names of two fish species discovered by Bárbara Calegari and her colleagues. In this interview, the biologist explains where they live and how to make the diversity of our waters visible.

Explainer video

Unstable Atlantic current?

We owe the mild climate in Europe to the North Atlantic Current. But it could weaken as a result of climate change. Climate researcher Jens Terhaar explains in the video whether this is already the case.

Nils Tinner

The mind behind the warning system for tropical nights

The "Bernometer" weather app helps the people of Bern to cope with heatwaves. The initiator of the project is Nils Tinner, a Master's student at the Oeschger Centre for Climate Change Research.

Cereal cultivation in arid regions

Microbes, algae and genetic engineering for more stable yields

Lorena Ramirez Gonzales is working to make maize and teff more drought-tolerant. In the interview, she explains how her work is helping to stabilize agriculture in arid regions and improve food security.
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