Between Activism and Analysis: Perspectives on Science, Sustainability, and Academia

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About the Methodology

From June to September 2024, Sarah Keller conducted 17 semi-structured interviews with early-career researchers across Switzerland—primarily PhDs and postdocs from the natural sciences, social sciences, and interdisciplinary fields. Using purposive and snowball sampling, participants were invited to reflect on how science is evolving in response to pressing societal challenges, and where they see innovation or stagnation within their own academic cultures. The open-ended format encouraged honest, in-depth conversations about motivations, struggles, and institutional tensions. This was complemented by literature research and ethnographic research in academic environments such as a workshop series for lecturers concerned with integrating sustainability into teaching curriculum across disciplines.