CHESS is an interdepartmental centre of excellence, at the University of Zurich, for research on higher education and science. Since 2014, the Center, a joint project of the university's economics and philosophy departments, has been facilitating interdisciplinary scientific debate and research on structural change in the higher education and science sectors. CHESS seeks to enhance universities' and the science sector's capacities for self-examination, and to identify and discuss the challenges that are resulting from changes in society's expectations of universities as those institutions gain greater and greater autonomy.

CHESS' primary aims are to pursue high-profile, internationally recognised research on higher education and science and to implement its findings in training and continuing education programmes. In addition, CHESS provides advising services, and it is able to carry out a range of services tailored to the specific needs of various academic, political and societal stakeholders. CHESS seeks to take an active role in the ongoing science policy discussion. To this end, it also organises major conferences and symposia, and it publishes research findings, interviews and position papers.

Research at CHESS

In light of changed societal expectations, and of numerous reforms, new concepts need to be found for higher education institutions and their core tasks – research and teaching. CHESS, an interdepartmental centre of excellence, applies findings from both research on higher education and research on science to this end. By integrating findings from both areas, CHESS seeks to develop a comprehensive picture of the changes underway in the higher education and science sectors, as well as of the related opportunities and challenges. In particular, CHESS works to strengthen the still-nascent research on the Swiss higher education sector, and to have Switzerland and its universities figure more prominently in international higher education research.

Framework paper: "Analyses of changes in higher education and science"

Continuing education at CHESS

Since fall 2016, CHESS has offered a certificate of advanced studies (CAS) programme on "Leadership and Governance at Universities." The extraordinarily strong demand seen for this programme highlights the fact that professionalisation of higher education stakeholders is playing an increasingly important role in the development of Switzerland's universities. CHESS also participates in a range of other continuing education programmes, including programmes within its host university, Swiss programmes and international programmes.

Continuing education programmes

CHESS: "Research-based advising"

CHESS members draw on their own scientific work to advise decision-makers at universities and throughout the higher education and science policy sectors. The CHESS office carries out commissioned projects, of varying sizes, such as the four-year project "New organisational models for part-time-management tasks at the University of Zurich."

Projects

CHESS: Events

CHESS lectures and CHESS talks provide forums for debate on controversial subjects relative to structural change in the higher education sector and to the development of the science sector. The events are also available as podcasts.

Events

Servicebox und Adresse des Projektträgers

Servicebox und Adresse des Projektträgers