[ETH4D] ETH for Development Newsletter

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Dear reader,

With the semester coming closer to an end, we are excited to keep you up to date with recent activities and share opportunities for the upcoming months. In the Learning section, we are thrilled to announce that applications are open for the ETH Summer School "Rethinking Waste" with "Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology (KNUST)", taking place between 4 - 17 September 2021. ETH Zurich students are welcome to apply as participants or tutors. In the Innovation section, two ETH Zurich researchers report on their ETH4D Research Challenge projects in Burkina Faso and India. Lastly, in Opportunities, we announce the second call for proposals of the ETH4D Humanitarian Action Challenges in cooperation with EPFL and the ICRC.

In the People section, you can get to know our growing ETH4D network.

We wish you all the best for the last weeks of the semester,

The ETH4D Team

Contents

•	Innovation
•	Learning
•	Opportunities
•	People
•	Events

Interview: Antoinette van der Merwe on Artisanal Mining in Burkina Faso

While most of the world’s gold is extracted by industrial mines, about 20 percent is produced by millions of artisanal miners trying to make a living by mining gold with only basic tools and methods. This includes the use of toxic chemicals like mercury. Although mercury is extremely dangerous for humans, studies have shown that miners rarely use masks or gloves to protect themselves. In this interview, Antoinette van der Merwe talks about her research into miners’ knowledge, perceptions, and preferences of mercury use and personal protective gear in Burkina Faso. ETH4D supports the project through the ETH4D Research Challenges.

A Digital Solution for Perinatal Depression

Given the drastic undertreatment of perinatal depression globally, Dr. Sonali Mohanty Quantius set out to find an innovative solution. Thereby, she co-founded Haplomind, a digital app helping women self-diagnose perinatal depression. In cooperation with Prof. Ernst Hafen at ETH Zurich, the feasibility of the app prototype will be tested in a pilot study with the Indian National Institute of Mental Health & Neurosciences in Bengaluru, India, supported by the ETH4D Research Challenges. Learn more about perinatal depression and Haplomind in this swissinfo article.

Matchmaking: Research Meets Practice

To bridge academia and practice, ETH4D is hosting a series of thematic online matchmaking events this year, bringing together ETH Zurich researchers and solution-seeking NGOs and companies. In the first two meetings, organised jointly with the World Food System Center, participants discussed ways of working together to address challenges of the global food system. Next, we will turn to the topic of Sustainable Construction for Global Development. Please see our website regularly for upcoming dates.

Applications Open: Summer School "Rethinking Waste", 4 - 17 September 2021

The ETH Sustainability Summer School "Rethinking Waste - Sustainable Solid Waste Management" will take place from 4 - 17 September 2021. Organised in collaboration with the Ghanaian Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology (KNUST), the summer school will offer a unique learning experience with insights from local experts, NGOs, and workers in waste management. A diverse programme with several excursions will set students on the course of finding a problem in solid waste management and thinking of ideas with local teammates in-person, and international teammates virtually. We welcome applications from ETH Zurich students for spots as tutors and participants. For more information, see here.

ETH4D Courses Autumn Semester 2021

The course catalogue for the autumn semester 2021 has been published and includes several courses on the topic of global sustainable development. These are, for example:

Sustainable Development – Bridging Art and Science

AI4Good

International Engineering: from Hubris to Hope

ETH4D PhD Seminar: Research for Development

For more lectures and seminars related to global sustainable development, see our website.

Call for Proposals: ETH4D Humanitarian Action Challenges

The second call for ETH4D Humanitarian Action Challenges is now open! The goal of this grant is to support project-based research between ETH Zurich researchers and EPFL researchers and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to leverage science and technology for a greater impact of humanitarian action. Applications are open until 15 July 2021 (5 pm CET). Find more information here.

Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships for Foreign Scholars

The Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students annually awards scholarships to young foreign researchers (12 months for postgraduate research stays and postdoc fellows, 36 months for doctoral students). Find more information here.

New members

We would like to welcome our new members Prof. Daniela Domeisen from the Department of Environmental Systems Science and Prof. Peter Bühlmann from the Department of Mathematics to our network!

Find the full list of our members here. If you want to join our network, please contact ETH4D Executive Director Adina Rom at adina.rom@nadel.ethz.ch.

Portraits

Prof. Mario Schirmer

Head of Research Group Hydrogeology, EAWAG

ETH4D Member

Stanley Bortse Sam

Management of Excreta, Wastewater and Sludg, EAWAG

Doctoral Candidate

Event Review: «African Leadership for a Sustainable Future. Stories to Inspire»

Together with the African Students Association of Zurich, ETH4D hosted an online storytelling event as part of Sustainability Week Zurich 2021. An audience of 70 people, including ETH Zurich Rector Prof. Sarah Springman, listened to the inspiring stories of young African researchers and entrepreneurs, who are committed to global sustainable development in a wide range of fields. Read about the speakers' stories here.

ETH4D Doctoral Lunches		2 June 2021, 12:00 - 13:00 7 July 2021, 12:00 - 13:00 4 August 2021, 12:00 - 13:00 Online More information and registration here.
ETH Sustainability Summer School: Rethinking Waste		4 - 17 September 2021 In-Person/Online More information and registration here.

ETH4D in the Social Media

Contact

ETH4D
Clausiusstrasse 37
8092 Zurich
Switzerland

eth4d@ethz.ch