Creating unique opportunities to connect
A conversation with Robert Finger, professor of Agricultural Economics and Policy at ETH Zurich and Chair of the World Food System Center. He shares his thoughts about the strengths and priorities of the Center.
Q: You were Vice Chair of the Center since 2017; when taking over as Chair in January 2021, what surprised you about the Center that you did not know before?
A: It is impressive to see how deeply rooted the Center is within ETH Zurich, the ETH Domain, the Swiss agriculture and food sector, and beyond. Whenever there are questions on research on agriculture and food, we are involved, and we can contribute. We have many inspiring exchanges with decision makers from industry and policy as well as with a large number of researchers from Switzerland and the world. The Center plays a vital role in educating students at ETH, but also beyond, and provides a unique platform to communicate to and with a wide range of stakeholders.
Q: You communicate intensively via social media on the topics of agricultural economics and policy; what do you see as the Center’s role in sharing science?
A: A very large one! We need to conduct excellent and relevant science, but we also need to talk about it and share findings with various stakeholders. The Center uses various channels to communicate effectively, whether this is social media, blogs, newsletters or videos. We reach many relevant stakeholders, but also the general public, and current and future students.
Q: What do you see as priorities for the Center’s development in the next few years?
A: We should further stimulate cutting-edge interdisciplinary research to contribute to a healthy world through sustainable food systems. We do this together with policy and industry and always take a system perspective. This will be a strong basis for education and outreach activities. The Center will be a major hub for research and education on sustainable and resilient agricultural and food systems in Switzerland and the world. We at the Center have unique opportunities to connect across disciplines with various stakeholders to provide science-based solutions to real world problems.
Q: What are your hopes for the Center and its members?
A: I am very optimistic looking to the future of the Center. My hope is that the Center continues to be an excellent hub for our members and many other stakeholders, realizing jointly cutting-edge research, teaching and outreach on sustainable and resilient agricultural and food systems. My hope is that our research creates widely used and impactful solutions to real-world problems. Most importantly, I hope that we contribute to educate the next generation of decision makers in industry, policy and science.
We at the Center have unique opportunities to connect across disciplines with various stakeholders to provide science-based solutions to real world problems. Robert Finger, Chair of World Food System Center
Voices of the World Food System Center
In this series, voices of the members groups of the Center come to life in interviews. Professors, researchers, and staff all get to a chance to share their stories and hopes for the future of the Center. Read all the interviews on the Center's Jubilee Website.