Rethinking Excellence: Evolving Perspectives in Research and Academia

Course overview

What does excellence mean in today’s research landscape? This course explores how definitions and expectations of excellence are shifting, from the perspective of the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) and beyond. Participants will examine global trends in research assessment, funding priorities, and academic culture, gaining insights into how these changes affect career development and research practice.

Designed primarily for early-career researchers, the course also provides valuable opportunities for more experienced academics to reflect on and contribute to a more inclusive and forward-looking vision of excellence.

  • Speaker: Prof. Stuart Lane (Vice President of SNF and Professor, UNIL)
  • Date: Wednesday 10:00-13:00, December 3rd, 2025

  • Location: University of Neuchâtel, UniMail Bâtiment A, Room A317
  • Cost:
    • WES PhD School members: no fee
    • Others:
      • Academic participants: 75 CHF
      • Industrial, government, etc.: 250 CHF
  • Registration:
    • Please fill in the REGISTRATION FORM before November 25th, 2025
    • Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. Attendance is limited to 20 people.

The detailed program will be provided after the registration deadline.

How to get there

The UniMail building is part of the Faculté des Sciences at the University of Neuchâtel. The address is Rue Emile-Argand 11, 2000 Neuchâtel. The building’s opening hours can be found here.

To reach the building from the Neuchâtel train station(Gare Nord), take bus line 107 and get off at the Portes Rouges stop. From there, cross the bridge, and you’ll find the UniMail building. Alternatively, you can walk directly from the train station via Esplanade de l’Europe, which takes about 15-20 minutes.