Académie suisse des sciences naturelles SCNAT
Utilization of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge in academic research. A good practice guide for access and benefit-sharing
SWISS ACADEMIES REPORTS, VOL. 11, NO 4, 2016
This guide informs the academic community – researchers and research managers alike – about the system that governs access to genetic resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge and the sharing of the benefits arising from their use, as established by the Convention on Biological Diversity and its Nagoya Protocol. Along Art. 20.1 the brochure explains the steps that researchers must take when accessing biological resources for research purposes and it informs about the Agreement on Access and Benefit-sharing for Academic Research (ABS) legislation in Switzerland.
Académies suisses des sciences a+
Comprendre et agir pour la biodiversité en Suisse
Le présent rapport dépeint de façon claire et différenciée l’état de la biodiversité en Suisse et les changements qu’elle a subis. Il s’appuie sur les données, les études et les connaissances spécialisées pour décrire l’évolution de la diversité biologique dans les différents milieux. L’accent est porté sur les changements intervenus ces 15 dernières années. Ce document met par ailleurs en évidence les principaux éléments agissant actuellement sur la biodiversité, et les événements politiques ou sociaux qui les accompagnent. Il présente enfin les voies que nous pouvons prendre pour que les générations à venir jouissent d’une base vitale fonctionnelle grâce à une abondante biodiversité.
Jeune Académie Suisse JAS
Impact of AI on Early Career Researchers: Challenges, Opportunities and Responsibilities
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming science and is therefore profoundly reshaping the work of Early Career Researchers. Against this backdrop, the publication Impact of AI on Early Career Researchers: Challenges, Opportunities, and Responsibilities, developed by members of the Swiss Young Academy, namely Emmanuel Senft, Sabrina H. Kessler, Pamela Delgado, Devi Bühler, and Alexandre Bovet, offers a timely interdisciplinary reflection on these changes. The booklet examines both the opportunities and risks of AI across five key areas – research, teaching, science communication, policymaking, and sustainability – while also addressing critical issues such as research integrity, data privacy, misinformation, governance, and environmental impact. It further highlights the responsibilities of Early Career Researchers and higher education institutions in promoting AI literacy, transparency, ethical standards, and responsible use of AI in science.
Jeune Académie Suisse JAS
Innovative Teaching Formats at the Science-Society Interface: Reflections and Future Directions in Swiss Higher Education
Science-society dialogue is crucial for addressing pressing societal challenges. One important avenue for strengthening this link, in an inter- and transdisciplinary perspective, is teaching formats that encourage students to engage in the public sphere. However, an illustrative collection of best practices in Swiss higher education has been lacking so far. This practice-driven report draws on a non-exhaustive stocktake of existing courses in Switzerland and participatory workshops among lecturers. It features illustrative examples from Swiss higher education institutions and introduces a new typology of science-society teaching formats, offering educators a structured way to design and analyze courses across six dimensions. In addition, the publication discusses both the opportunities and challenges of implementing such teaching formats. To further advance science-society education, the report identifies three priority areas for action.