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Law enforcement

The way courts, prosecutors, and police question defendants and witnesses during interrogations has an impact on the investigation. What needs to be improved in this regard? An interview with criminal law expert Jonas Weber.

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University and studies

All articles about university and studies

From the university administration

New directives on employment procedures

Instead of guidelines, the University of Bern now has directives from the University Executive Board on recusal and bias in appointment procedures for professors. General Secretary Christoph Pappa talks about the reason for and the significance of the new directives, which replace the previous guidelines.

Research Funding

10 years of the Grants Office: more important now than ever before

Those wanting to acquire research funding have to grapple with complex funding guidelines, tight deadlines and bureaucratic hurdles. Since 2016, the Grants Office at the University of Bern has been there to support researchers with their applications.

New research agreement

“We want to move away from purely quantitative criteria”

The University of Bern has signed an international agreement to reform research assessment. In this interview, Andrew Chan explains the Agreement on Reforming Research Assessment (ARRA) and its significance for early-career researchers.

Groundbreaking climate research

University of Bern and ETH Zurich lead new National Center of Competence in Research

The University of Bern and ETH Zurich are leading the new National Centre of Competence in Research NCCR CLIM+ on climate and weather extremes. Researchers from the University of Bern are also involved in the NCCR Genesis.

2025 – What will remain?

Reviewing 2025 with Virginia Richter

Rector Virginia Richter reflects on a memorable year, sharing her defining moments of 2025 and discussing what 2026 holds for the University of Bern.

Simon Wieland

Javelin, university studies, top achievement

Javelin thrower Simon Wieland recently catapulted himself to the top with a record throw. He’s now aiming for his bachelor’s degree at the University of Bern.

A question for Andreas Michel

How important is humor for professional success?

Andreas Michel is Head of HR Development and Recruiting at the University of Bern and explains how humor can be used profitably in the workplace and what needs to be considered when doing so.

Matter and universe

All articles on matter and universe

Universe

From dust to planets

A research team has provided the first experimental evidence – obtained during parabolic flights in zero gravity – that a key physical process actually occurs under conditions similar to those in planet formation regions.

Behavioral research

Social competence in fish depends on siblings

Researchers at the University of Bern have shown that both the number of siblings present during early life and the quality of their interactions with them are crucial for the development of social competence in cichlids.

Universe

CHEOPS detects a new planetary "disorder"

The latest discovery by the CHEOPS space telescope calls into question the current understanding of planet formation.

Universe

Streaks on Mercury show: Mercury is not a "dead planet"

A study by the University of Bern has discovered bright streaks on Mercury that are presumably caused by the outgassing of volatile material. This indicates that Mercury is not a dead planet, but could be geologically active.

Politics and administration

All articles about politics and administration

Political science

Pre-franked voting envelopes as a nudge

Voting by post is a popular choice, and pre-paid postage makes it even more convenient. However, a study by Alina Zumbrunn and Pierre Lüssi from the Institute of Political Science at the University of Bern shows that having enough letterboxes is just as important.

Satire under pressure

Between freedom of expression and censorship

Geneva-based cartoonist Patrick Chappatte and Bern-based media lawyer Franz Zeller discuss the limits of freedom of expression and the role of political satire at a time when traditional media are coming under increasing pressure.

Institute of Marketing and Business Management

Conscious and satisfying gift-giving

The Christmas gift season has been in full swing since Black Friday, if not before. Discounts and emotions tempt people to make impulse purchases. Which strategies help us to make more conscious decisions on online platforms and in stores?

Law

Human Rights Law Clinic: Putting human rights into practice

The Human Rights Law Clinic of the University of Bern was the first Swiss law clinic to work exclusively with real cases. We visited them – and learned what sets their curriculum apart and what inspires their students.

Intercultural knowledge

All articles about intercultural knowledge

Field research on Bernese dialects

Feelings of belonging through language

Conversations in Bern's old town, Bümpliz and Frutigen reveal the differences in the canton's dialects. Sociolinguist Adrian Leemann places the differentiating features in their historical and cultural context and emphasises what unites them.

An underestimated source of power

Humor makes life easier

Humor helps to reduce stress, strengthens relationships and protects the psyche. Developmental psychologist Pasqualina Perrig-Chiello shows why humor is much more than just entertainment, how we can use it meaningfully in everyday life, and how we can train it in a targeted way.

Is laughing allowed?

What a story about religious humor reveals

Throughout history, Jews, Christians and Muslims have laughed more at each other than with each other. A legend about three travel companions provides an insight into the background.

Women’s Health

Menstruation and Menopause: A Workplace Taboo

Periods and menopause make adaptations in the workplace necessary: Studies by gynecologist Petra Stute and gender researcher Christine Bigler show us where are the areas that need improving and what are the needs of the female body.

Linguistic Research

New language app explores Italian around the world

How is the Italian language changing in an age of globalization and migration? A new language app developed at the University of Bern aims to find out.

Sustain-
ability

All articles about sustainability

Slowing Climate Change

Improving our understanding of environmental behavior by examining the brain

Human behavior is a major driver of climate change. Consequently, it is essential to gain a deeper understanding of how individuals make environmental decisions. Two researchers from the University of Bern demonstrate how neuroscientific approaches may contribute to the development of more effective climate protection strategies.

Hans Sigrist Prize 2025

“We can’t expect judges to save us”

The Norwegian-German law professor, Christina Voigt, has been awarded the University of Bern’s Hans Sigrist Prize worth 100 000 Swiss Francs. This honor recognizes her achievements in advancing international climate law.

2nd Bern Climate Law Conference

Climate protection in the gray area

Watching Netflix, eating tropical fruits, wearing cheap fashion—most greenhouse gas emissions are caused by imported goods and services. A conference at the University of Bern is focusing on these "gray emissions".

United Nations Ocean Conference 2025

The ocean is at its limit – but there is still hope

Heating, deep-sea mining, vulnerable ecosystems: In this interview, climate researcher Thomas Frölicher explains what is going on with the ocean, what glimmers of hope there are and why this is important for Switzerland.

Health and medicine

All articles about health and medicine

One Health

Domestic cat may hold the key to understanding breast cancer

A study with participation from University of Bern shows genetic parallels between feline tumors and human cancers. This opens up new possibilities for targeted therapeutic approaches.

Brain research

The dialogue in our head

For the first time, a team from Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and the University of Bern has directly tracked how the human brain exchanges signals during sleep and wakefulness. These findings are a step towards more targeted therapies.

Prepared for the next pandemic

«You hope you'll never need the insurance»

After 18 intensive months, enrollment for the 'Bern, get ready' (BEready) study has been completed. This globally unique collection of data on infectious diseases in humans and pets is intended to help mitigate the effects of the next pandemic.

Sleep research

How skin temperature influences our brain states

For the first time, Bernese researchers have demonstrated how temperature stimuli from the skin are processed in the brain. The findings enhance our understanding of sleep-wake regulation and pave the way for new therapeutic approaches, e.g. for narcolepsy.

Social and Preventive Medicine

Sex and Gender: The Path to better medicine

Angèle Gayet-Ageron, Director of the Institute for Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM) at the University of Bern, explains why sex and gender need to be systematically taken into account in medical research.

Humor and health

Laughter connects and relaxes

Does laughter really promote healing? Neurologist Claudio Bassetti answers this question and explains how he uses humor in communication and even in the diagnosis of diseases.

Diabetes

Low blood sugar detected by speaking into a smartphone

Diabetes can be accompanied by dangerous low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia). Recordings with an ordinary smartphone microphone could make diabetes management safer and easier in the future.