Here you will find reports produced in the course of the work of the SSC. The Council makes a distinction between explorative studies, which report on initial studies on specific themes, and policy analyses, in which the Council formulates conclusions or recommendations for the federal government.
Recommendations by the Swiss Science Council SSC for a national patient data infrastructure for health care and research
Summary and Compilation of the SSC statements on the partial revision of the ordinances of the Federal Act on Human Research, on the comprehensive revision of the Federal Act on the Electronic Patient Record and on the ERI Dispatch 2025−2028.
Publication (PDF, 792 KB): Summary in German, French and English. Statements in German or French
Partially counteracting climate change in the short- to medium-term: options globally and for Switzerland
Analysis by Anthony Patt and Jean-Pierre Wolf conducted on behalf of the SSC Secretariat
SSC Secretariat Working Paper 2/2023
Working Document (PDF, 4.89 MB)
Mission-oriented Research and Innovation in Switzerland
Analysis and Recommendations by the Swiss Science Council SSC
SSC Report 1/2023
Report (PDF, 4.3 MB): Executive summary and recommendations in French, German and English. Report in English
Dispatch on Education, Research and Innovation for 2025-2028 (ERI Dispatch)
Recommendations by the Swiss Science Council SSC on Education, Research and Innovation for the years 2025 to 2028
SSC position statement within the consultation process
Position statement (PDF, 781 KB): in German
A national patient data infrastructure for health care and research
Analysis and recommendations by the Swiss Science Council SSC
Appendix of the SSC position statement on the Dispatch on Education, Research and Innovation for 2025-2028 (ERI Dispatch)
Appendix (PDF, 357 KB): in French
Terminological and strategical analysis of the concept of research infrastructure
On the basis of an analysis by Benedetto Lepori and Marco Cavallaro on behalf of the SSC Secretariat
SSC Secretariat Working Paper 1/2023
Working Document (PDF, 1 MB)
Science policy advice in times of crisis
Considerations and recommendations by the Swiss Science Council SSC
On the basis of an expert report by Caspar Hirschi, Johanna Hornung, Dylan Jaton,
Céline Mavrot, Fritz Sager und Caroline Schlaufer on behalf of the SSC
SSC Report 3/2022
Report (PDF, 3.9 MB): in German and French, with recommendations in English
Flyer (PDF, 1.7 MB): in German and French
Excerpt: Considerations and recommendations by the Swiss Science Council SSC in English
Download (PDF, 306 KB)
Evaluation of the Swiss National Science Foundation
Report of the Swiss Science Council SSC
Report (PDF, 9.8 MB): Introduction, main findings and evaluation by the SSC in German and French. Report by the international panel of experts in English
Annexe I - IV (PDF, 7.3 MB)
Annexe V - VIII (PDF, 7 MB)
Annexe IX - XIII (PDF, 3.8 MB)
Postdoctoral researchers at Swiss higher education institutions
Findings and recommendations of the Swiss Science Council SSC
SSC Report 2/2022
Report (PDF, 3 MB): Executive summary and recommendations in French, German and English. Report in French and German
Flyer (PDF, 719 KB): in French and German
Public acceptance of crisis measures
Learning from the Covid-19 pandemic
Results of two workshops and analysis by the Swiss Science Council SSC
SSC Report 1/2022
Report (PDF, 5.7 MB): Considerations and recommendations in German and French. Report in German.
Flyer (PDF, 2 MB): German and French version.
Baccalaureate education in the digital society
Considerations and recommendations by the Swiss Science Council SSC
Expert report by Michael Geiss, director at the Centre for Education and Digital Change at the Zurich University of Teacher Education, on behalf of the SSC
SSC Report 1/2021
Report (PDF, 1.4 MB): Considerations and recommendations in German and French. Report in German.
Leporello (PDF, 688 GB): German and French version.
Assessment of the multi-year plans 2021–2024 for federal support under Art. 15 RIPA
SSC’s full report and recommendations, on behalf of the SERI
- Appendix 1: Report by BAK economic intelligence ‘Hyperloop: a breakthrough for vacuum transportation?’, on behalf of the SSC
- Appendix 2: Report by Franz Barjak and Fabian Heimsch ‘Systemic evaluation of the AM-TTC Alliance’, on behalf of the SSC
- Appendix 3: «The Evolution of the Swiss Technology Policy from the Mid-1970s to the Year 2000» (2021), on behalf of the SSC
- Statement on the revised application of the Swiss Center for Design and Health SCDH, on behalf of the SERI (June 2021, French version)
The future of Open Access from the perspective of researchers in Switzerland
An interview study by Sandra Lang commissioned by the Swiss Science Council
October 2020
Report (PDF, 812 KB): Report in German.
White Paper: Quantentechnologie in der Schweiz
Considerations and recommendations by the Swiss Science Council SSC
Report by Cathal J. Mahon and the SSC secretariat
Policy analysis 1/2020
October 2020
Report (PDF, 668 KB): Considerations and recommendations in German, French and English. Report in English.
Leporello (PDF, 719 KB)
Reflections on the differentiation of higher education institutions: the link to the professional world
Exploratory analysis by the Swiss Science Council SSC
Exploratory study 1/2019
February 2020
Download (PDF, 2.6 MB): Report in French
Dealing with disruption – The role of education, research and innnovation shaping financial innovation
Considerations and recommendations by the Swiss Science Council SSC
Multimethod case study on the subject of FinTech conducted by the SSC
Policy analysis 2/2019
May 2019
Download (PDF, 1.7 MB): Considerations and recommendations in four languages, case study in English
Empfehlungen des Schweizerischen Wissenschaftsrates SWR für die BFI-Botschaft 2021–2024
Analyse Zielkörper und Handlungsempfehlungen zuhanden des Bundes
Recommandations du Conseil suisse de la science CSS pour le message FRI 2021–2024
Analyse des objectifs et recommandations d’action à l’attention de la Confédération
May 2019
Download (PDF, 1.6 MB): Report in French and German
Notions of health and disease in the digital age
Policy analysis and recommendations of the Swiss Science Council SSC
Concept analysis by Prof. Dominic Murphy, University of Sydney, on behalf of the SSC
Policy analysis 1/2019
February 2019
Download (PDF, 2 MB): Recommendations in four languages, policy analysis in English and French
Patient, doctor, big data. Who has the power of definition?
Report on the common workshop by the Swiss Academy of Medical Sciences and the Swiss Science Council on 18 April 2018
February 2019
Download (PDF, 4 MB): Report in English, German and French
Social selectivity
Recommendations by the Swiss Science Council SSC
Expert report by Rolf Becker and Jürg Schoch commissioned by the SSC
Policy analysis 3/2018
December 2018
Download (PDF, 1.91 MB): Report in German
The growth of science:
Implications for the evaluation and funding of research in Switzerland
Policy analysis and recommendations by the Swiss Science Council SSC
Empirical analysis by B. Hendriks, M. Reinhart and C. Schendzielorz,
German Centre for Higher Education Research and Science Studies (DZHW), Berlin
Policy analysis 2/2018
October 2018
Download (PDF, 1.52 MB)
Excerpt: Recommendations by the Swiss Science Council SSC in German and in French
Download (PDF, 1 MB)
Citizen Science: Expert report, Democracy and Public Participation
Recommendations of the Swiss Science Council SSC
Prof. Bruno Strasser, University of Geneva, and Prof. Muki Haklay, University College London, on behalf of the SSC
Policy analysis 1/2018
September 2018
Download (PDF, 2.88 MB): Recommendations in four languages, policy analysis in English
Citizen Science: Expertise, Democracy and Public Participation (excerpt of the second part from the policy analysis 1/2018)
Download (PDF, 1.45 MB)
New International Science and Technology Policies: Key Issues and Questions in Switzerland
An exploratory study conducted on behalf of the Swiss Science Council SSC
Dr. Alexandra Hofmänner, Science & Technology Studies at University of Basel
With a foreword by Prof. Dr. Peter Weingart
Exploratory study 1/2018
June 2018
Download (PDF, 1.35 MB)
Notions of disruption
A collection of exploratory studies written and commissioned by the Swiss Science and Innovation Council SSIC
Exploratory study 3/2017
November 2017
Download (PDF, 1.78 KB)
Digital competences (excerpt of the 3rd chapter from the exploratory study 3/2017)
November 2017
Download (PDF, 436 KB)
Biomedical knowledge production in the age of big data
Analysis conducted on behalf of the Swiss Science and Innovation Council SSIC
Dr. Sabina Leonelli, Professor in the Philosophy and History of Science, University of Exeter, UK
Exploratory study 2/2017
November 2017
Download (PDF, 1.48 MB)
Citizen Science: An Introduction
Exploratory study commissioned by the Swiss Science and Innovation Council SSIC
By Dr. John Bendix
Exploratory study 1/2017
September 2017
Download (PDF, 1.67 MB)
Requirements for a sustainable education and research system
November 2016
Open Access from the point of view of authors/researchers
SSIC Theses and recommendation
SSIC Report 10/2015
March 2016
Download (PDF, 524 KB): Report in French
The Constellation of Actors in the Swiss Higher Education, Research and Innovation Sector
SSIC Secretariat Working Paper 5/2015
January 2016
Download (PDF, 360 KB): report in German
An Inventory of Swiss Innovation Policies
An analysis of national, cantonal, and select city funding initiatives
SSIC Secretariat Working Paper 4/2015
December 2015
Download (PDF, 920 KB): report in German
Open Access: Publishing, Commerce, and the Scientific Ethos
Report to the Swiss Science and Innovation Council SSIC
SSIC Report 9/2015
December 2015
Download (PDF, 2.39 MB)
Innovation and Public Promotion of Innovation
Report and recommendations produced by the Swiss Science and Innovation Council SSIC
SSIC Report 8/2015
December 2015
Download (PDF, 2.41 MB): Report in German
Systematic impact evaluation of National Centres of Competence in Research NCCRs (first set, 2001-2013)
Report and recommendations by the Swiss Science and Innovation Council SSIC on behalf of the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation SERI
Final report
SSIC Report 7/2015
December 2015
Download (PDF, 1.45 MB): French version
«Dr Unemployed»?
The professional success of PhD graduates in Switzerland
SSIC Report 6/2015
November 2015
Download (PDF, 4.46 MB): French and German Version
Evaluating the Swiss National Science Foundation with Respect to the Strategic Funding of Research Infrastructures and Disciplinary Areas
Final Report
SSIC Report 5/2015
October 2015
Download (PDF, 1.58 MB)
From Science Council to Innovation Council
The historical development of the Swiss Science Council — an outsider’s view
SSIC Report 4/2015
October 2015
Download (PDF, 896 KB)
The Constellation of Actors in the Swiss Higher Education, Research and Innovation Sector
SSIC Theses and Recommendations
SSIC Report 3/2015
October 2015
Download (PDF, 1.08 MB)
PhD cultures and tenure track models at Swiss universities
SSIC Report 2/2015
July 2015
Download (PDF, 949 KB): Report in German and French
Measuring Innovation
A Discussion of Innovation Indicators at the National Level
SSIC Secretariat Working Paper 3/2015
July 2015
Download (PDF, 236 KB)
Swiss tertiary-level education: current situation and trends
SSIC Secretariat Working Paper 2/2015
June 2015
Download (PDF, 404 KB) report in French
Biomedical research in Switzerland: current situation
Survey conducted by advocacy Ltd. (Zurich/Basel) on behalf of the Secretariat SSIC
SSIC Secretariat Working Paper 1/2015
June 2015
Download (PDF, 376 KB) report in German
Trends in Biomedical Research
Report and recommendations produced by the Swiss Science and Innovation Council SSIC
SSIC Report 1/2015
June 2015
Download (PDF, 311 KB)
The Tertiary Level of the Swiss Education System
Report and recommendations produced by the Swiss Science and Innovation Council SSIC
SSIC Report 3/2014
April 2015
Download (PDF, 311 KB)
Continuing higher education in a heterogeneous context
Report on behalf of the SSIC Secretariat
SSIC Secretariat Working Paper 3/2014
December 2014
Download (PDF, 243 KB): report in German
Professional Education and Training in Switzerland
Expert report
SSIC Secretariat Working Paper 2/2014
December 2014
Download (PDF, 616 KB): report in German
A Broad Understanding of Innovation and Its Importance for Innovation Policy
Rationale, Measurement, Implementation
SSIC Secretariat Working Paper 1/2014
December 2014
Download (PDF, 1.15 MB)
Biomedical research in Switzerland: social space, discourse and practice
SSIC Report 2/2014
April 2014
Download (PDF, 495 KB): Report in French
Biomedicine: Meanings, assumptions, and possible futures
SSIC Report 1/2014
April 2014
Download (PDF, 310 KB)
The Position of Universities of Applied Sciences in the Swiss Higher Education System
Recommendations by the SSTC
SSTC Report 5/2013
December 2013
Download (PDF, 183.81 KB) German version
“Economization” of Science
Recommendations and Proceedings of the Seminar Held in Bern by the Swiss Science and Technology Council on April 23, 2013
SSTC Report 4/2013
November 2013
Download (PDF, 773 KB)
Performance Measurement and Quality Assurance in Higher Education and Research
A More Purposeful and Sensible Use of Performance Measurement and Evaluation in Science – Ten Theses
SSTC Report 3/2013
September 2015
Download (PDF, 1.19 MB)
Encouraging young graduates to drive innovation in Switzerland
Principles for a comprehensive promotion of young graduates for the benefit of science, economy and society
SSTC Report 2/2013
September 2013
Download (PDF, 206.99 KB): German version
Allocation models for overhead funds at the Swiss National Science Foundation and at the Commission for Technology and Innovation
SSTC Report 1/2013
September 2013
Download (PDF, 255 KB): French version
Encouraging young scholars for the knowledge society
Principles for a global agenda
SSTC Report 5/2011
March 2012
Download (PDF, 2.49 MB): German version
Art Research Funding
Status Report 2010/2011
SSTC Report 4/2011
March 2012
Download (PDF, 2.49 MB)
University teaching in the age of Bologna
SSTC Report 3/2011
December 2011
Download (PDF, 205 KB): German version
SSTC recommendations on the Federal Council Dispatch on the Promotion of Education, Research and Innovation for 2013-2016
SSTC Report 2/2011
October 2011
Download (PDF, 3.14 MB): German version
Where are our young academics coming from? Structures of education, educational disparities and the «gap» in the Swiss education system
Survey conducted by Dr. Stephan Egger on behalf of SSTC
SSTC Report 1/2011
August 2011
Download (PDF, 436 KB): German version
Research at the Swiss universities of applied sciences – Insights into its stage of development
Recommendations of the Swiss Science and Technology Council
SSTC Report 2/2010
November 2010
Download (PDF, 1.15MB): German version