Democracy research across continents

This year’s Swiss Summer School in Democracy Studies saw a significant step toward the internationalization of research collaboration: the University of Zurich (UZH) and the University of Canberra (UC) signed a memorandum of understanding. The agreement marks the beginning of a deeper institutional partnership between the Center for Democracy Aarau (ZDA) and the Centre for Deliberative Democracy and Global Governance at UC.

The cooperation between the two centers goes beyond the Summer School: Close scientific ties already exist today – for example, through reciprocal research visits, joint publications, and international project applications, including to the SNF, Horizon Europe, and the Australian Research Council. The memorandum of understanding now provides a formal basis for this successful collaboration.

Basis for future projects

The agreement was signed in the presence of both partner institutions: Prof. Daniel Kübler (UZH/ZDA) and Prof. Simon Niemeyer (UC) formalized the agreement. The aim is to promote the exchange of researchers and students, to hold joint courses and conferences, and to launch new research projects.

With this MoU, UZH and UC are sending a strong signal for the expansion of international cooperation in democracy research and making an important contribution to networking science and practice in a global context.