Synergising Research and Service Activities at Swiss Research Institutions to Accelerate Sustainable Development

Jasmina Saric, Fabian Käser, Jon-Andri Lys, Jürg Utzinger and Thomas Breu
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Jasmina Saric: Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
Fabian Käser: Swiss Commission for Research Partnerships with Developing Countries, 3004 Bern, Switzerland
Jon-Andri Lys: Swiss Commission for Research Partnerships with Developing Countries, 3004 Bern, Switzerland
Jürg Utzinger: Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
Thomas Breu: Swiss Commission for Research Partnerships with Developing Countries, 3004 Bern, Switzerland

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 17, 1-20

Abstract: Research that takes a pro-active role in bridging science and practice holds promise to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals. While passing on best practices outside of academia, inspiration can be drawn from pressing global challenges. Using Swiss research institutions that maintain partnerships with low- and middle-income countries as a case study, the purpose of this study was to identify synergies between research and services for development (R&S4D). We mapped Swiss research institutions that host both types of activities and identified the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) linked to their hybrid models. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with representatives from the identified institutions, and data were analysed using the Framework Method. Strengths of combining R&S4D were observed on four levels: (i) individual (i.e., high employability outside academia); (ii) project (i.e., higher quality and practical relevance); (iii) entity (i.e., flexibility regarding funders, resources, and partners); and (iv) sustainable development (i.e., more impactful work). The main weaknesses were named as a decrease in the scientific quality of research projects specifically and inefficiency/lack of feasibility of implementation services. A lack of career paths and positions for individuals who wish to pursue academic research alongside services was identified as a threat. The Universities of Applied Sciences account for the largest share of hybrid positions in Switzerland; increasing their currently limited funding for research and international activities represents an opportunity. Our reserch adds a unique viewpoint to the discussion on the role of academia in supporting society to move towards sustainable development. It does so by exploring whether and how the concept of multisectoriality can work as an integral part of academia at the individual and the institutional level.

Keywords: sustainable development; Switzerland; project implementation; Universities of Applied Sciences; applied research; SWOT (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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