How the DORA Declaration is Transforming Research Culture in Zurich

OUS Academy in Switzerland
Aug 13
3 min read

Zurich is known worldwide as a city of knowledge, innovation, and academic excellence. With its beautiful landscapes and cutting-edge universities, it is not just a financial center, but also a leading force in education and research. Recently, the implementation of the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA) has brought a wave of positive change to how research is evaluated and recognized across universities in Zurich. Instead of relying on outdated metrics like journal impact factors, DORA encourages a more fair, transparent, and meaningful way of judging academic contributions.

In Zurich, the DORA Declaration is not just a concept—it’s a movement. Major universities and institutions are taking active steps to align their policies with DORA, reshaping the academic culture to one that is more inclusive, diverse, and focused on real-world impact.

ETH Zurich: Shaping a Future of Responsible Research

ETH Zurich, consistently ranked among the top universities in the world, has embraced the DORA Declaration as part of its commitment to innovation with responsibility. As a technical university with strengths in engineering, computer science, and natural sciences, ETH has always valued research excellence. Now, it is taking that commitment further by recognizing that research should not be judged solely by where it is published, but also by what it achieves.

Hiring committees and research evaluations at ETH are evolving. Faculty members are now encouraged to submit a broader portfolio of achievements, including software development, patents, open-source tools, contributions to policy, and teaching excellence. This approach supports young researchers and scientists working on bold, interdisciplinary projects that may not always fit into traditional academic journals but still have immense value.

ETH Zurich is also fostering a strong culture of open science, encouraging the sharing of research data and methods to promote collaboration, trust, and reproducibility.

University of Zurich (UZH): Valuing Quality Over Quantity

The University of Zurich (UZH), the largest university in Switzerland, is also making strides in applying DORA’s principles. Known for its excellence in humanities, law, economics, medicine, and life sciences, UZH has recognized the importance of going beyond journal metrics.

The university has updated its internal guidelines to ensure that hiring, promotions, and funding decisions are based on scientific content, the importance of research questions, and impact on society, rather than journal rankings. UZH is also supporting its researchers with workshops and training on responsible publishing and research communication, helping them navigate a changing academic landscape.

Students and early-career academics at UZH benefit greatly from this new culture. They are encouraged to explore diverse forms of research output—such as public engagement, policy development, and interdisciplinary collaborations—without being pressured to publish only in high-impact journals.

Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW): Practical Impact as a Core Value

The Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) is another institution strongly aligned with DORA’s goals. As a university of applied sciences, ZHAW has always prioritized real-world application of knowledge. Now, with the DORA framework, the institution is formalizing this focus by ensuring that researchers are evaluated not just for publications, but also for solutions they deliver to industry, training they provide to professionals, and innovations they bring to communities.

ZHAW has adopted more flexible evaluation models, particularly for staff involved in applied research and development. Researchers working with SMEs, public sector institutions, and non-profit organizations are recognized for their valuable contributions, regardless of whether these appear in academic journals.

Zurich's Evolving Academic Culture: A Shared Vision

The adoption of DORA across Zurich’s academic institutions is more than a policy change—it is a cultural transformation. It reflects the values of Swiss education: fairness, inclusion, and long-term impact.

This shift benefits:

Early-career researchers, who now have more freedom to innovate without being tied to publication metrics.
Society, as universities place more value on engagement, relevance, and accessibility.
Research quality, which is measured by its significance, not just where it is published.

Through DORA, Zurich is creating a healthier academic environment—one that recognizes all aspects of academic excellence, from teaching and mentoring to interdisciplinary teamwork and societal engagement.

Looking Forward

As Zurich continues to implement the DORA Declaration across its institutions, the city strengthens its global reputation not just for academic success, but for integrity and innovation in research evaluation. This new approach empowers researchers to focus on what truly matters: making a difference in science, education, and society.

In doing so, Zurich is setting a powerful example for universities around the world.