Hannah Schoch is campaigning for better working conditions for young academics at the University of Zurich. | Illustration: Stefan Vecsey

Those of us who are mid-level faculty are often advised to work just a little harder to make things better – whether it’s a question of fixed-term contracts, the stress of finishing your degree, or job hunting. People like to shift the responsibility for change onto us. But in fact, the opportunities to make a difference in the higher education system lie almost exclusively with professors. 

If universities are going to become a positive working environment, we’re accordingly dependent on alliances with professors. Many mid-level faculty are committed to change far beyond the limits of what they can cope with. Our fixed-term contracts make it more difficult to engage in voluntary work. Single parents in any case hardly have time to breathe while coping with children, research and teaching. And for young researchers from abroad who don’t enjoy freedom of movement, even their residence status in Switzerland depends on their supervisor. 

We should here expressly like to thank those professors who take on these responsibilities: those who participate in the debates about our research culture, our employment conditions and our career opportunities, and who take an active interest in the experiences of young researchers. It is only thanks to them that we can move forward. Senior academics with secure jobs, permanent contracts and a good income have to do their part. Not only are they in an ideal position to help: they also actually have the power to do so. Change becomes possible if professors, deans or rectors want it – as we’ve seen with the introduction of lectureships at the University of Zurich, or the rapid developments towards Open Access. 

What’s important is that egocentrism gives way to awareness, and that a mistrust of employees is replaced by respect. Only then will a university be able to keep on its books a brilliant researcher who’s raising two kids on their own; only then can young researchers from abroad find a solution to conflict without threatening their very existence here; only then can our university system become a place where people give their best because it’s what they really want – not just because of the permanent pressure to perform.