Representing the university assemblies on the ETH Board: apply now
In the spirit of participation, the university assemblies of ETH Zurich and EPFL are allowed to send?a?joint representative to the ETH Board. Kristin Becker van Slooten will be stepping down from this position at the end of next year.?In?this?interview,?she?explains?what?this?role?entails.??
Since 2004, an elected representative of the University Assemblies (UA) of the two Federal Institutes of Technology has been a voting member of the ETH Board.
Kristin Becker van Slooten was the first representative elected to the ETH Board by the two UAs. At the time, she headed the Experimental Ecotoxicology research group at EPFL. She was succeeded in 2006 by Markus Stauffacher, lecturer at the Institute for Animal Science at ETH Zurich. His predecessor took over again in 2017.
Kristin Becker van Slooten, who was advisor to the President and Secretary General of EPFL from 2006 to 2016, has been working in the Office for Gender Equality since she rejoined the ETH Board. With a view to her retirement in the summer of 2027, she will step down from the ETH Board at the end of 2026. The position is currently being advertised (see advertisement; in German and French only).
In this interview, Kristin Becker van Slooten explains what is important in this role.
Kristin Becker van Slooten, who would you recommend for the position of delegate to the ETH Board? What qualities does a candidate need to have?
Kristin Becker van Slooten: First and foremost, language skills: German, French and English are essential. The meetings of the university assemblies are held in German at ETH Zurich and in French at EPFL. And the ETH Board meetings are conducted in English. Candidates also need to have a genuine interest in getting involved. One prerequisite is certainly a good knowledge of the institutions. You have to be well connected and be able to navigate the political arena.
How did you perceive the role?
I see myself as a facilitator, as a person who builds bridges. Bridges between the school management and the university assemblies, between ETH Zurich and EPFL, but also within the ETH Board and with the staff. As a representative of all members of both ETHs, I make sure that their concerns are included in the discussions. When I represent the positions of the university assemblies in the ETH Board, I have to stand up for them – sometimes that requires backbone.
You served two terms on the ETH Board. What motivated you to run for a second term?
The second time, the initiative came from outside. I was encouraged to run again. At first, I was sceptical because I was working in the General Secretariat and the Presidency of EPFL at the time. I thought that my proximity to the school management might be a disadvantage. I applied anyway – and was elected.
Apply for the position now
Anyone interested in representing the concerns of the two university assemblies on the ETH Board for at least four years from 2027 onwards can apply by 15 January. All information can be found in the advertisement (in German and French only).
What was your best moment in this role?
There are several. I’m really satisfied when I feel I can make a difference. When my suggestions are implemented or a concern raised by the university groups is heard. Those were the best moments for me.
And the most difficult?
I find it a bit frustrating when things don't move forward. Or when something turns out completely differently than you would have liked. One example: the ETH Board's decision to triple tuition fees for international students – that was not a good moment.
You represent the university assemblies of ETH Zurich and EPFL. How do you see the cooperation between the two universities?
I think the two schools have grown much closer over the last few years, at all levels. In the past, I often sensed a certain rivalry, even animosity, between the institutions. Now the schools work much more closely together. The positive atmosphere at the strategic planning conference held in early December, which was attended by 650 participants from across the ETH Domain, was a good example of this.
You will be stepping down at the end of 2026. What advice would you give to your successor?
At the beginning, it is certainly important to build trust with the ETH Board members and the university assemblies. In the ETH Board, it was always important for me to be aware of who I represent and to keep the well-being of the entire ETH Domain in mind. Diplomatic skills are required. Being too demanding or trying to achieve something through flattery does not work.
In brief
The ETH Board is the strategic management and supervisory body of the two Federal Institutes of Technology and the four research institutes PSI, Empa, Eawag and WSL. It comprises a president and 10 members, all of whom are elected by the Federal Council. Further information is available on the external page website.
The University Assemblies (UA) are the legally established participatory bodies of the two ETHs. They are composed of equal numbers of members from the teaching staff, mid-level faculty, students and administrative staff. Further information on the ETH Zurich University Assembly can be found on the website.
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