What helps against conspiracy theories?

Medienwissenschaft

During the pandemic, Bern-based researchers conducted real-time analyses to determine how the media can most effectively curb conspiracy theories. A workshop for journalists brought together the worlds of academia and practice this year.

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Health and medicine

All articles about health and medicine

Old bones, new findings

Skeletal remains with iodine deficiency from Riggisberg

Researchers at the University of Bern have discovered evidence of congenital iodine deficiency syndrome in skeletal remains from Riggisberg (BE). This study sheds new light on the history and spread of the disease in Switzerland.

Animal Research

In Dialogue About Animal Research

At the National Information Day of the Experimental Animal, researchers from the University of Bern presented their work involving animal experimentation at a booth on Casinoplatz Bern and offered interested visitors first-hand information.

Occupational health

Staying mentally healthy at work – what you need to do

Digitalization and new forms of work are impacting our mental health. As Professor of Occupational Psychology at the University of Bern, Achim Elfering knows what stresses us so much at work – and what is good for us.

SNSF Image Competition

Images from cancer research and archaeology selected

Lucien Hinderling and Guido Schreurs, two researchers from the University of Bern, have received a prize and a distinction respectively in the 2025 Scientific Image Competition of the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF).

Politics and administration

All articles about politics and administration

Swiss Governance Forum 2025

Healthcare research meets everyday life

Switzerland has one of the best performing and most expensive healthcare systems. The Swiss Governance Forum 2025 asked how innovation can succeed despite regulation: cooperation is necessary in addition to initiative.

A question for Flora Stanischewski

Am I liable if my office AI makes mistakes?

Anyone who lets AI work for them would be well advised to critically examine the results of its work. This is because, in principle, employees are liable, says Flora Stanischewski, a lecturer in labor law.

Political Science

The Federal Council: Rigid, but modern

The Federal Council has operated the same way for almost 180 years. Should it undergo a radical modernization? Despite no major reforms, the Federal Council is very modern in certain respects, says Adrian Vatter, professor of political science.

On Labor Day

Trade Unions: Last Dinosaurs or Efficient Support?

Political scientist Klaus Armingeon is professor emeritus at the University of Bern. In his essay, he shows what significance trade unions still have in 2025, how they might have to modernize and what would be missing without them.

Scientist portrait

Changing power structures with law

Judith Wyttenbach is a specialist in constitutional and international law. She sees the law as an instrument for changing power structures – and not as dry as many people think. As a mother, however, she sometimes wishes she had a 36-hour day.

Scientist portrait

How people form political opinions

Isabelle Stadelmann-Steffen conducts research into how people make decisions in different political contexts. This is particularly important in Switzerland with its direct democracy. In the video, she also talks about why she works part-time (80%).

World Trade Institute

Will Trump derail world trade?

The World Trade Institute (WTI) has been a major influence on international trade law for 25 years. Founder Thomas Cottier and director of studies Isabelle Van Damme discuss what the Trump presidency means for world trade and what the WTI can contribute to solving the current challenges.

University and studies

All articles about university and studies

Lifelong Learning Center

Learning is good for you – throughout your life

New technologies and demographic trends are changing the world of work and thus also continuing education: Continuous learning enables access to new professions and skills. The University of Bern sees itself as a place of learning throughout all phases of life.

Between the lecture theater and the soccer pitch

Three students are crowned Swiss soccer champions

Leana Zaugg, Nicole Tiller, and Stephanie Waeber, three students at the University of Bern, have been crowned Swiss champions with the BSC Young Boys women’s team (YB Frauen). Off the pitch, they tackle the demands of their studies with dedication and discipline.

People at UniBE

The man behind the festive flower arrangements

Who is responsible for the beautiful flower arrangements at graduation ceremonies and other festive occasions at the University of Bern? Bruno Züger, landscape gardener at UniBE for 32 years now. uniAKTUELL accompanied him for a day.

Workplaces at the University of Bern

“Contemporary infrastructure attracts talented people”

More flexibility, sharing, hybrid models – new approaches enable contemporary work and help to use room infrastructure more efficiently. But now investments are needed to ensure that the University of Bern can continue to deliver top performance, says Stefan Rufer, Head of the Building Development Office.

Matter and universe

All articles on matter and universe

Scientist portrait

What can be done to combat gender stereotypes in research?

Chemical ecologist Christelle Robert researches how plant substances influence organisms that come into contact with them. In the video, she talks about the challenges of gender stereotypes in science.

Space research

Making science tangible with art

How do you make the tectonic development of the planet Mercury tangible with a piece of paper? For planetary scientist Liliane Burkhard, the answer is clear: with the means of art.

SNSF Image Competition

Images from cancer research and archaeology selected

Lucien Hinderling and Guido Schreurs, two researchers from the University of Bern, have received a prize and a distinction respectively in the 2025 Scientific Image Competition of the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF).

People

Lateral entry into space research

Nora Hänni researches space and is fascinated by interdisciplinary cooperation – reconciling her work and family life is just as important to her.

People

Between mysteries and measuring instruments

Salome Gruchola researches the mysteries of space from the laboratory in Bern – and would like to see more women in physics.

FOKUS

The changing world of work

In focus

The working world of the future requires courage

The world of work is changing radically and rapidly. Who is benefiting from the change and who is lagging behind? Experts from the University of Bern from the fields of sociology, psychology and economics have answers.

Part-time, participatory, ecological

Modern timber industry in the Bern region

The timber industry is regarded as sluggish and not very innovative. Unfairly so: Three Bern-based carpentry companies are adding value to local raw materials in peripheral regions and offering future-oriented working models. This is demonstrated by research conducted by the Department of Economic Geography at the University of Bern.

Commissioned work via the web

Gig workers: This is how they really live and work

Millions of people offer their work via digital platforms. This revolution in the world of work is giving gig workers more flexibility, but also income insecurity. How are they getting along? Occupational psychologist Daniel Spurk decided to find out.

Intercultural knowledge

All articles about intercultural knowledge

In focus

Job Stress Index

Many Swiss employees feel stressed, as regular monitoring shows. This not only harms them, but also the economy.

Tackling the clichés

Women’s soccer breaks down gender norms

Just in time for the Euro 2025 soccer tournament, two Bern-based researchers are publishing a new book, “Das Recht zu kicken” [The Right to Kick]. During an interview, co-author Marianne Meier recounts historical anecdotes and pits Swiss women’s soccer against gender stereotypes.

A question for Tina Hascher

Do performance and well-being go together?

Performance and well-being go together in the world of work and in studies, says Tina Hascher, Professor of Educational Science. Here she explains why.

Muslim Belonging

Holocaust Memory and Anti-Muslim Racism

In "Subcontractors of Guilt", Esra Özyürek investigates how Holocaust memory culture in Germany is associated with the marginalization of Muslim citizens. In a public discussion with the author and other experts in Bern, the topic was transposed to Switzerland.

In focus

The working world of the future requires courage

The world of work is changing radically and rapidly. Who is benefiting from the change and who is lagging behind? Experts from the University of Bern from the fields of sociology, psychology and economics have answers.

History of Migration

Francesca Falk: Against the Blinding Evidence of the Present

In her new book, historian Francesca Falk investigates how a society defines “Us” and draws social boundaries. In this interview, she explains how, against the “evidence” (or obviousness) of the present, historical scholarship offers a different view on the here and now.

Sustain-
ability

All articles about sustainability

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.

Part-time, participatory, ecological

Modern timber industry in the Bern region

The timber industry is regarded as sluggish and not very innovative. Unfairly so: Three Bern-based carpentry companies are adding value to local raw materials in peripheral regions and offering future-oriented working models. This is demonstrated by research conducted by the Department of Economic Geography at the University of Bern.

People

Research at the end of the world

Barbara Seth found the oldest ice on Earth as part of a research team and is helping to learn more about climate history.

Scientist portrait

“Our neighborhood network is our greatest help”

Olivia Romppainen-Martius studies the effects of climate change on extreme weather events. In the video, she explains what helps her to spend time with her daughters despite the demands of her job.