University of Zurich funding for two new institutes

The University of Zurich (UZH) has created a new funding instrument by the name of Transform that will now support interdisciplinary research at the university for the first time. The recently founded institute One Health Research and Center for Legal Data Science are set to benefit from seed financing in the amount of 2.7 million Swiss francs over the next four years.

According to a press release, Transform aims to support interdisciplinary research projects that emerge from the university itself. These are to be structurally anchored in new or heavily transformed organizational units. “With TRANSFORM, we want to respond quickly to new developments in the research landscape and promote sustainable collaboration in forward-looking areas”, explains Elisabeth Stark, Vice President Research at UZH, in the press release.

The Institute of One Health Research is dedicated to a holistic research approach that takes into account the health of humans, animals and the environment. It responds to the spread of epidemics and pandemics and the increase in antibiotic-resistant germs. The institute networks the research-focused veterinary medicine, human medicine and natural science institutes at UZH.

The Center for Legal Data Science focuses on the computer-aided, systematic collection, processing and evaluation of legal data such as judgements, contracts and statutes. The use of quantitative methods in legal studies should contribute to improving the quality of tested legal statements and decisions.

“Both funding initiatives are unique in Switzerland and will advance the development of the entire university”, Stark concludes in the press release.