SWiSH represents wom*n at D-GESS in university-related policy issues in order to push for gender equality efforts and equal representation. We provide a platform for wom*n at the department to support each other and to organize in professional and social contexts; in science, as well as outside of the academic environment.
The Gender & Science Lecture Series was initiated in 2021 to include more gender perspectives in the curriculum at ETH. SW*iSH successfully brought this format to life and coordinated the Lecture Series in 2021, 2022, and 2024. Now, with the support of Prof. Dr. Nadia Mazouz and the lecturer Dr. Elena Valdameri, the Gender & Science Lecture Series has found a permanent home at the Chair of Practical Philosophy.
SWiSH hosts two lunches each semester with the idea of connecting and organizing wom*n at D-GESS. All wom*n of the department are invited. The first lunch gives female* colleagues and students at D-GESS an opportunity to get to know each other. The second lunch includes a short talk and discussion with an invited speaker on gender-related issues. Check the event page for upcoming lunches.
Each semester, SWiSH organizes workshops and seminars with external trainers and researchers to empower and educate members of D-GESS on gender-related issues. Check our event page for upcoming workshops. Check our past events' reports under the resources page.
In 2014, the Executive Board of ETH published and adopted the Gender Action Plan (GAP). In this action plan, "ETH Zurich openly defines its position on equal opportunities for women and men". The GAP includes a set of policies "with which ETH plans to anchor a gender balance in the institution and in the day-to-day routine in the long term".
These measures were either not implemented or did not achieve the desired results. Therefore, the SWiSH steering committee initiated a working group on the issue in 2018, including members of the departmental conference. It formulated an updated version of the GAP, which was adopted by the departmental conference in March 2019. You can read the document here in German or English.
SWiSH is committed to continuously monitoring the implementation and, if necessary, updating the GAP (again). To do so, one SWiSH steering committee member permanently represents female interests at the departmental conference with a particular focus on monitoring the GAP.