Should we protect nature because it provides us with resources, or do so simply for its own sake? Philosopher and biologist Anna Deplazes Zemp wants to look at this question from a new point of view using an argumentation of environmental ethics. Her research project is made possible thanks to the generous funding of the NOMIS Foundation. More …

Not long after returning from a holiday, many people already start thinking about their next trip. UZH Alumni offers a number of exciting trips each year. Below you can read about a recent voyage of discovery to Japan with UZH Alumni. More …

Lymphatic vessels actively contribute to the spread of cancer metastases from various organs. This unexpected realization is the result of a joint study as part of the research initiative Skintegrity. More …

The preliminary project for the UZH Library of the Future has reached another major milestone: Following data collection, the formulation of strategic guidelines and the development of solution designs, the concept report has now been put forward for consultation. More …

Songbirds can acquire new abilities both through observation and through trial and error. However, skills acquired with the latter method are more easily adapted to new situations, as scientists at ETH and the University of Zurich have been able to demonstrate. The researchers also see parallels to how children learn. More …

The University of Zurich and the UniversityHospital Zurich have been pooling their efforts in cancer research and medicine since the beginning of 2018 with the new Comprehensive Cancer Center Zurich. By introducing a new funding program, the center is further stepping up its patient-centered cancer research efforts. More …

Slavonic studies expert Sylvia Sasse grew up in the German Democratic Republic. The state wanted her to take up a commercial training program, but she headed to the West and went to university. Today she researches how performance artists stood up against the totalitarian regimes of Eastern Europe. More …

The Executive Board of the University is renewing its structures and processes. The first changes entered into force on 1 August 2018. The Offices of the Vice Presidents have been given new designations, Professor Beatrice Beck Schimmer is the new Vice President Medicine, and Professor Gabriele Siegert has taken on the position of Deputy President in addition to her role as Vice President. The complete reform package will be implemented in stages and completed by 2020. More …

The first UZH Innovators Camp was held recently at the University of Zurich. Aimed at students and young researchers, it gave participants the chance to work together on developing business ideas from their projects. More …

She built particle accelerators, shaped national research policy, and was the first woman to lead a Swiss university: Nuclear physicist Verena Meyer passed away on 21 July at the age of 89. More …

The Royal Musical Association has awarded its Dent Medal to a member of the University of Zurich for the third time, recognizing musicologist Inga Mai Groote for her outstanding work on music history. More …

What should you do to make sure you get back from vacation healthy and rested? Professor Jan Fehr at the Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute advises getting prepared early and taking your time so that your vacation doesn’t turn into a stressful experience. More …

Summer schools make a significant contribution to UZH’s international visibility. The first UZH International Summer School for Bachelor’s and Master’s students from around the world is currently taking place. The 19 visiting and seven UZH students are exploring how Switzerland became one of the richest countries. Over at the Department of Psychology, an international summer school for PhD candidates has just finished. More …

Four group heads from different departments across faculties have joined forces in a pioneering three-million franc project. This collaboration will enable research into new epigenetic approaches for treating cancer. More …

A research group at the chair for developmental psychology in infancy and childhood has shown that babies as young as six months can recognize changes in patterns of activity. The findings also have consequences for our understanding of language development in young children. More …

The annual Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings see Nobel laureates and outstanding junior researchers from all over the world descend on Lake Constance. Karin Prummel of the University of Zurich attended this year’s meeting as an Internationale Bodensee Hochschule (IBH) grant-holder. More …

After years of little progress, cancer research has now entered into a gold rush. The Talk im Turm event on cancer and precision medicine shone an optimistic light on a difficult topic. More …

Everyone knows that they ought to lead a healthy lifestyle. But not everyone finds it so easy to put into practice. That’s where experts offering effective and sustainable support can be of help. In order to train such experts, UZH is offering a new continuing education course, the first of its kind in Switzerland, in physical and mental lifestyle change and mind-body medicine. More …

The Annual Ceremony of the Graduate Campus was focused on the topic of creativity and science. The improv theater group “anundpfirsich” added a playful and participatory twist to the event, at which this year’s Mercator Awards were also handed out. More …

Can poverty be tackled by systematically influencing the behavior of those affected? Or does that just perpetuate it? Christian Berndt and Guilherme Lichand discuss the effects of social intervention. More …