Clarification process completed

Has the report provided the clarity you had hoped for from the clarification process?
Julia Dannath: Yes. Although some individual allegations were not conclusively clarified, our clarifications confirm that the assistant professor did not maintain an adequate professional distance from students, doctoral students and staff. He has confirmed this, despite otherwise largely denying the allegations. It is unfortunately difficult for those who were not present in certain situations to come to a definitive conclusion regarding allegations of inappropriate behaviour. This holds true in this case as well, as descriptions of the incidents and people¡¯s perceptions of them vary significantly.

Stefan Spiegel: The reports regarding compliance issues primarily focused on the alleged misuse of funds, potential deviations from the rules governing contracts with external consultants and presumed conflicts of interest linked to an ETH spin-off. The clarification process identified several problematic aspects. The assistant professor repeatedly failed to follow internal rules and adequately address conflicts of interest. The clarifications did not provide evidence of any misuse of funds. In discussions with us, the assistant professor credibly conveyed that he always tried to act in the best interests of his research and his group.

What is expected of an assistant professor wishing to obtain a permanent position at ETH Zurich?
Stefan Spiegel: A tenured professorship at ETH Zurich is a permanent position primarily funded by Swiss taxpayers. While this position ¨C rightly ¨C offers considerable freedom, it also carries significant responsibility. An assistant professor undergoes a development phase that lasts several years, after which they may or may not be offered a permanent position. The decision regarding tenure, made by the President of ETH Zurich, is based on a comprehensive evaluation of the individual¡¯s performance and capabilities throughout their entire period of employment.

Julia Dannath: ETH Zurich provides its professors with significant academic freedom, expecting them to act responsibly and adhere to established guidelines. In this instance, the assistant professor exhibited behaviour and attitudes that for the President are not in keeping with the culture of ETH Zurich. This was evident to him as early as December 2024, which was before the clarification process was completed.

Should assistant professors be concerned about not receiving a permanent position if they break the rules?
Stefan Spiegel: When establishing a new group, individuals may unintentionally violate compliance rules. Everyone makes mistakes, which is why we offer significant support to new professors in the early stages of their careers. However, there is a clear distinction between someone who takes the time to understand and follow the rules and someone who ignores them or actively seeks to bypass them.

Julia Dannath: The same applies to the leadership behaviour of new professors. We don't expect anyone to be the perfect leader right from the start. Anyone who leads a team knows that effective leadership is a skill that must be developed over time. However, we expect all our leaders to embrace and put into practice the support we provide, such as by taking part in the Leadership for Faculty programme. At ETH Zurich, we strive to foster a positive error culture, acknowledging that anyone can make a mistake. The key is to learn from those mistakes and to take appropriate steps to prevent them from happening again.

Mr Spiegel, what lessons have you learned from this case?
Stefan Spiegel: The freedom we provide to our professors, along with the culture of trust and support we cultivate at ETH Zurich, are key factors in our university¡¯s success. However, it is essential for our professors to take responsibility for their actions. In my daily work, I see the vast majority of our members making responsible use of this freedom. Nevertheless, this case highlights how our decentralised structure makes it difficult to identify deviations early on. We are currently analysing our processes and will focus on how to offer our professors more effective support at an early stage of their career development in the future.

Does this mean that ETH Zurich will be introducing stricter financial controls?
Stefan Spiegel: We will definitely avoid overregulation. However, anyone who uses e-banking appreciates when their bank contacts them after noticing an unusual transaction to verify whether it is correct. Currently, we are reviewing our structures and systems within my Executive Board domain to ensure we can engage at an early stage and where necessary with those in charge of budgets. This approach will apply not only to professorships but also to our administrative functions.

And what lessons has your domain learned, Ms Dannath?
Julia Dannath: It is evident that we will continue to improve the way in which we handle reports of this nature. We have made significant progress in recent years. Last summer, we implemented revised regulations for reporting inappropriate behaviour and workplace conflicts. Additionally, we have long since outsourced the reporting office for sexual harassment and discrimination to make it easier for affected individuals to come forward and file reports as early as possible. We are also developing a suitable method for responding to anonymous reports.

Looking back over the last few months, what conclusion do you draw from this case?
Stefan Spiegel: For me, this case highlights the importance of having effective structures throughout ETH, including in research groups, administrative units and projects. These structures are essential for ensuring the proper application of our rules and the effective management of conflicts of interest. By having these systems in place, we make life easier for researchers, allowing them to focus on their areas of expertise. Additionally, this enhances collaboration with experts from the Central Administrative Units.

Julia Dannath: We provide all our professors ¨C including those who are in the early stages of their careers ¨C with considerable freedom and responsibility. This will remain the case in the future. In return, we expect them to adopt a conscious approach to leadership issues and to demonstrate the willingness to pursue their own personal development. While it is essential that scientific excellence remain a cornerstone of ETH Zurich, it should never take precedence over behaviour that is respectful and in keeping with the rules of ETH Zurich.