SWiSH represents wom*n at D-GESS in university-related policy issues in order to push for gender equality efforts and equal representation. We provide a platform for wom*n at the department to support each other and to organize in professional and social contexts; in science, as well as outside of the academic environment.
One major concern of SWiSH is to provide and implement an intersectional perspective on gender as part of the curriculum. The Gender Action Plan states that "the department critically examines the courses currently offered in light of gender-questions and thinks about how gender aspects can be further integrated into the curriculum". In order to realize this goal, and to increase the visibility of wom*n at D-GESS, SWiSH is organizing a lecture series under the working title 'Gender and Science'. This series will be offered as part of the Science in Perspective (SiP) program and hence will be open to all ETH students. The first Gender & Science Lecture Series organized by SWiSH took place in the Autumn Semester 2021.
Click here to see the public program of the Gender & Science Lecture Series for the Autumn Semester 2022.
SWiSH hosts two lunches each semester with the idea of connecting and organizing wom*n at D-GESS. All wom*n of the department are invited. The first lunch gives female* colleagues and students at D-GESS an opportunity to get to know each other. The second lunch includes a short talk and discussion with an invited speaker on gender-related issues. Check the event page for upcoming lunches.
Each semester, SWiSH organizes a workshop with external trainers to empower and educate members of D-GESS on gender-related issues. Check our event page for upcoming workshops.
SWiSH has partnered with GESS Who! (D-GESS' student association) to start the PAGES TO CHANGES book club, which is open to people of all genders and from all positions within D-GESS.
This initiative focuses on feminism, exploring works by great female writers or lesser known authors tackling big issues. Whether fiction or non-fiction, novels or academic books, Pages to Changes is a way to take a break from your studies, your research or your work and learn more about a relevant, transformative social movement.
In 2014, the Executive Board of ETH published and adopted the Gender Action Plan (GAP). In this action plan, "ETH Zurich openly defines its position on equal opportunities for women and men". The GAP includes a set of policies "with which ETH plans to anchor a gender balance in the institution and in the day-to-day routine in the long term" (for reference, see the equal! website on the topic).
These measures were either not implemented or did not achieve the desired results. Therefore, the SWiSH steering committee initiated a working group on the issue in 2018, including members of the departmental conference. It formulated an updated version of the GAP, which was adopted by the departmental conference in March 2019. You can read the document here in German or English.
SWiSH is committed to continuously monitor the implementation and, if necessary, update the GAP (again). To do so, one SWiSH steering committee member permanently represents female interests at the departmental conference with a particular focus on monitoring the GAP.