Based on the findings of the
administrative investigation
professional misconduct over an extended period. The investigator is recommending the termination of the employment relationship. To this end, a special committee is being set up to review whether dismissal is appropriate, as prescribed by
Art. 13 para. 2
of the Professors’ Ordinance.
“The final report confirms this is a case of unacceptable behaviour which we do not tolerate,” comments ETH President Lino Guzzella. But at the same time, he stresses that misconduct is clearly the exception, not the rule: “Virtually every single ETH Zurich professor – over 500 of them – carries out their duties with integrity, day in, day out.”
The independent investigator also provided, as instructed, a number of recommendations to improve the protection of doctoral students and to optimise the supervision provided. These recommendations will be incorporated into the “Management” project already under way. Measures are currently being drawn up within the six subprojects involved – Early detection, Appointments, Onboarding of professors, Doctorate, Postdoctorate and Procedure for reporting misconduct – and some of them have already been implemented.
A case manager has been appointed, for example, to coordinate the handling of ongoing investigations. There are now three, rather than two, ombudspersons and their appointment is more independent because the candidates are proposed by the University Assembly. A year ago, the number of trusted intermediaries was increased from one to two in order to assure good scientific practice. The university will improve the supervision offered to doctoral students, partly through regular on-site meetings and consistent implementation of planned control mechanisms, such as a research plan.
There are currently internal discussions about the introduction of personal development plans and a system of multiple supervision for doctoral students. During the appointment process, more emphasis will be placed in future on the candidate’s management skills. New onboarding strategies will ensure that incoming professors are familiarised with the values and practices of ETH Zurich. Additional measures are being prepared and will be continuously introduced.
The investigator’s final report can only be published once the entire proceedings have been concluded.
