Connecting Minds – Building Bridges – Creating Futures

Since 2021, the School for Transdisciplinary Studies (STS) has evolved into a central platform for inter- and transdisciplinary teaching at the University of Zurich. The STS complements the study programs of all UZH faculties andoffers students courses that transcend disciplinary boundaries. This enables students to acquire the skills needed to understand and actively engage with the major societal and technological challenges of our time such as climate change or digital transformation.

As a hub for inter- and transdisciplinary teaching, the STS takes on administrative tasks, supports instructors with didactic expertise, communication, and quality assurance, and provides experimental spaces for innovative, cross-disciplinary teaching formats. It also shares best practices in inter- and transdisciplinary didactics and fosters exchange within its growing community.

Within its first five years, the STS has grown from five pioneering courses into a wide-ranging portfolio that includes a minor study program, inter- and transdisciplinary flagship courses, and future skills courses. The anniversary report documents this development and highlights the people, milestones, and perspectives that continue to shape the STS.

Voices from the Executive Board

Prof. Dr. Stefan Krauter

"The STS program is an ideal complement to the study programs offered by the faculties. From digital skills to questions about the good life, STS offers a wide range of courses that deepen and supplement students' studies. The program consists of a core curriculum alongside a constantly changing selection of new offerings. The STS contributes to making the University of Zurich a truly universal place of learning."

Prof. Dr. Stefan Krauter, Professor of New Testament and Vice Dean of Studies at the Faculty of Theology and the Study of Religion

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Dr. Maria Olivares

"As a founding member of the STS Executive Board, I can say after five years: With the STS, UZH has built a unique structure that fosters learning across disciplinary boundaries. Its transdisciplinary approach empowers students to tackle complex future challenges in a practice-oriented way. Through this, UZH invests in innovative teaching – and creates new spaces for collaborative learning and exchange."

Dr. Maria Olivares, Head of Innovation (UZH)

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Prof. Dr. med. vet. Thomas Lutz

"I consider the STS a great initiative of the University of Zurich and a great success story. The Vetsuisse Faculty accepts courses offered by the STS as electives for the Bachelor curriculum in veterinary medicine. These electives help our students to open their minds beyond their core curriculum."

Prof. Dr. med. vet. Thomas Lutz, Professor of Veterinary Physiology and Director of the Institute of Veterinary Physiology

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Voices from lecturers

Dr. rer. pol. Jeannette Behringer

"If the STS didn't exist, it would have to be invented. For us at the Sustainability Hub and within sustainability sciences, it remains crucial to establish and disseminate a common understanding of transdisciplinarity on a scientific basis at UZH, to create knowledge, and to support recognition and appreciation. The transdisciplinary study week 'Sustainable Development and Transformation' would not be possible without the STS. The STS is an indispensable part of this entire endeavor."

Dr. rer. pol. Jeannette Behringer, Responsible Sustainable Development in Research and Teaching at the Sustainability Hub (UZH) and module coordinator of the STS course “Study Week: Sustainable Development and Transformation”

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Prof. Dr. Ulf Zölitz

"The STS creates a space where students and professors interact outside their usual academic bubbles and learn from each other in new ways. Coordinating the 'Mentoring for the Next Generation' course has shown me how powerful it can be when different perspectives come together. What makes the STS special for me is the openness and curiosity it fosters across disciplines. I believe this kind of exchange prepares students not only for their studies, but also for the challenges they will face on the labor market."

Prof. Dr. Ulf Zölitz, Professor at the Department of Economics and the Jacobs Center for Productive Youth Development, and module coordinator of the STS course "Mentoring for the Next Generation"

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Prof. Dr. Moritz Daum

"The STS provides students and lecturers with the opportunity to go beyond their disciplinary boundaries. For me, the appeal lies in engaging with different ways of thinking, ideas, and methods to learn from each other. Transdisciplinary teaching encourages flexible responses to varying levels of prior knowledge and sparks curiosity and enthusiasm for other subjects and perspectives. This promotes understanding and appreciation of diverse viewpoints, forming a vital foundation for constructive and benevolent cooperation in research and practice."

Prof. Dr. Moritz Daum, Professor of Developmental Psychology and Director of the Jacobs Center for Productive Youth Development, and module coordinator of the STS course “Strengthening Mental Health Together"

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Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Ulrike Held

"The STS prepares students for their future professional lives by offering transdisciplinary learning and exchange at an early stage. At first, STS courses were challenging for me as an instructor. Now I can say that they let me gain insights into quantitative applications outside of my comfort zone, which is a great experience. It has also given us instructors from different departments the opportunity to build a new network – an awesome opportunity to think outside of the box.”

Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Ulrike Held, Head of Clinical Research Methods at the Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, and module coordinator of the STS course “Get R_eady"

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Dr. Hanno Degner

"The STS courses promote exchange and collaboration of the next generation of political scientists with students from other disciplines, enriching both academic and personal learning. Thus, all in all, our experience with the STS offerings has been consistently positive: they add clear academic and cross-disciplinary value, and the sustained interest of our students underscores their importance. We greatly appreciate the direct, constructive, and collegial collaboration with the STS team and look forward to continuing this fruitful partnership in the years ahead."

Dr. Hanno Degner, Study Program Coordinator at the Department of Political Science

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Voices from students

Nick Eichmann

"At a time when AI and digitalisation are on everyone's lips, STS offers a refreshing and innovative perspective on these very topics. They are examined from a variety of angles, so that archaeology, agriculture, statistics and psychology suddenly become part of a single module. The constant across all courses and areas of knowledge was the diverse and interesting people. They come from a wide variety of disciplines and bring curiosity and skill to the table, which led to new insights and wonderful encounters in discussions, teamwork and over coffee."

Nick Eichmann, Master-Student Communication and Media Research and Digital Skills

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Leonie Barnsteiner

"Transdisciplinary teaching opens new perspectives and invites you to reflect on the methodological and disciplinary roots of your studies. You begin to see just how much you have learned to think through the lens of your own discipline, which brings you confidence and at the same time raises questions about bias. Therefore the diversity of perspectives strengthens both your self-understanding and your ability to understand others. STS offers a space to question and develop not only the content itself, but also the entire approach to teaching and learning."

Leonie Barnsteiner, Master-Student Political Science and Psychology, and a member of the STS Supporting Group

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Ladina Bischof

"STS opens up exciting opportunities to explore completely new fields. The practice-oriented workshops are especially inspiring and offer the chance to develop highly valuable skills beyond the university setting.”

Ladina Bischof, Master-Student Political Science & Archaeologies and a member of the UZH' student association (VSUZH) board

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Bruno Stuber

"I believe the future of academia and research lies in the stronger promotion of interdisciplinary approaches, with the humanities in particular benefiting from new and cross-cutting methodologies. This is why I greatly value the STS program, as it seeks to put this very ambition into practice. As a student representative in the STS supporting group, I particularly appreciate that attention is given not only to the relevance of the course topics, but also to fostering an active dialogue with students. This allows the courses to be adapted to the needs and interests of the student body.”

Bruno Stuber, Master-Student Deutsche Sprach- & Literaturwissenschaft and History, and a member of the STS Supporting Group

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Till Baier

"In my minor Digital Skills, offered by the STS, I particularly value how different perspectives come together in hands-on projects. For me, it is about listening open-mindedly to others and looking beyond the boundaries of one’s own discipline. This broadening of perspective supports genuine dialogue and tolerance and equips me with key competencies for my future in times shaped by multilateral and complex challenges.”

Till Baier, Master-Student Political Communication & Governance and Minor Digital Skills

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Sébastian Margot

"The STS closes thematic and methodological gaps in the existing curriculum. I find it particularly valuable that it fosters skills that go beyond academic studies and are relevant for the future."

Sébastian Margot, Bachelor-Student Political Science & Philosophy, and Co-president of the UZH' student association (VSUZH) board

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