In our ongoing series of interviews with scholars who received an RCC grant, today: Annina Thaller reports from Zurich!
Annina Thaller does social science research on climate and sustainability and is a postdoctoral researcher at the Department of Environmental Systems Sciences of our university. Until July 2026, she is visiting ETH Zurich - most of the stay is funded by the SNF Scientific Exchanges fund, but the RCC also had the pleasure of supporting her.
Q: What is your funded activity?
I spent several months on a research stay at ETH Zurich with the Spatial Development and Urban Policy (SPUR) research group. The stay allowed me to strongly focus on my research, developing for example a new paper together with my colleague Michael Wicki (SPUR, ETH Zurich) on how to design a post-car city in favor of alternative modes of transport, in particular active mobility such as biking, and the drivers of public support for such proposals. Beyond the paper, I presented my work at the research colloquium, exchanged ideas with peers, and gathered fresh inspiration for upcoming proposals.
Q: What impact has it had on your research and career development so far?
Being embedded in a different research environment and being able to fully concentrate on my research for an extended period has been invaluable. The collegial discussions at ETH have opened up new perspectives, both for this paper project and for future grant work.
Q: Can you tell us about something fun, interesting or unexpected that happened during your stay?
One thing I quickly learned about Zurich: the city takes its swimming seriously. With temperatures rising to summer levels (or even before), locals head to the "Badi", or jump straight into the lake or the river. I have to say, as a way to end a working day, it is hard to beat.
Sounds like Annina made the most of this activity - both in terms of science and in terms of the location!
Find out more about our funding schemes here - deadlines are July 15, October 15 and March 15!
(Pictures: Foto 1: Kolloquiumspräsentation, Rechte: Annina Thaller, Foto 2: Campus Hönggerberg, ETH Zürich, Rechte: Annina Thaller, Foto 3: Annina am Uetliberg, Hausberg von Zürich, Rechte: Richard Amering)
Interview: Johanna Stadlbauer, RCC, 17.6.2026