ZHAW Doctoral Student Adina Arth Elected to the Swiss Young Academy

Adina Arth, PhD student at the ZHAW School of Management and Law and the University of St. Gallen, has been elected a member of the Swiss Young Academy as of 1 May this year. The Swiss Young Academy promotes outstanding young researchers with innovative project ideas. It creates a network that promotes cooperation at the interface between science, society, and politics. Membership lasts for five years. For Adina Arth, it is a great honor to be one of six newly elected members. “I am particularly motivated by the interaction between science, practice, and society within the academy and the exchanges with other young researchers. I want to be a voice for other young scientists, and I appreciate the inter- and transdisciplinary approach of the network.” 

But what does this mean for her professionally? For a start, Adina receives practical support in the form of a mentoring program and networking events. She also presented a personal project in her application, which she now wants to pursue with other researchers from a wide range of disciplines. In particular, Adina is fascinated by matters related to business and biodiversity. Natural and biodiversity are the basis for a functioning world and the economy. At the same time, the commercial sector can have a major, often negative, influence on the environment. 

In the same way, companies can identify opportunities by operating more sustainably. In her dissertation, Adina is investigating how individuals in companies can promote ecologically sustainable change. To find solutions, they need to work more closely together across various disciplines. In Switzerland, numerous research groups already work on these topics, but they are rarely connected. Overcoming this requires a common research agenda and an overarching goal.  

The young researcher’s project idea aligns with the guiding principle of the Swiss Young Academy, which is a vision for science marked by openness, inclusion, and responsibility. These are also important values for Adina, who favors research that respects people and promotes democratic values. Researchers bear significant responsibility and can contribute even more to solving ecological challenges through their work.