Associated organisations
Swiss Academy of Medical Sciences
Homepage
SAMW Guidelines
https://www.samw.ch/de/Publikationen/Richtlinien.html
SAMW Survey
In 2002, 2006, 2014, 2020 and 2026, the SAMW conducted national surveys on the development and prevalence of ethics structures in Switzerland. The surveys focused in particular on their tasks and how they operate. Acute care hospitals, psychiatric clinics and rehabilitation institutions were surveyed.
The results of the first four surveys provide an overview of the development of ethics support in Swiss healthcare institutions and are available on the SAMW website:
Studies on the development of ethics support
The results of the fifth national survey, conducted in 2026, are expected to be published from November 2026 onwards.
Early Career Bioethicists Network - ECBN
The Early Career Bioethicists Network (ECBN) aims to promote collaboration and professional development amongst young bioethicists and other professionals working in the fields of bioethics, clinical ethics or public health ethics. The platform is specifically aimed at those at the early or mid-stage of their careers.
Career paths and professional development opportunities in the field of biomedical ethics can present a challenge, despite the existence of structured programmes such as PhD programmes, postgraduate courses or Master’s degree programmes in biomedical or applied ethics. For this reason, the ECBN is committed to supporting and empowering young bioethicists at an early stage in their careers, improving their access to the bioethics community, and encouraging them to express their opinions, thoughts and ideas in a safe space’.
Our network fills a gap that previously existed by providing a safe space for professional exchange amongst young bioethicists, thereby fostering support within the peer group and offering opportunities for networking.
Who can join?
The ECBN is an open platform for people at the early to mid-career stage (e.g. PhD students, postdocs, clinical ethicists) in Switzerland. Its members come from a variety of professional backgrounds, including medicine, nursing, psychology, philosophy, sociology, anthropology and public health.
Objectives
To create a supportive environment in which to exchange views, share ideas and experiences, and learn from peers;
To bring together people with an interest in bioethics and build a professional network;
To promote the professional development of bioethicists at an early stage in their careers.
In this way, we hope to enhance the visibility and recognition of early-career bioethicists.
Activities
We would like to invite you to take part in the following activities:
Annual workshop: This platform provides an opportunity for in-depth discussion and learning experiences, as well as professional exchange. The event also offers the chance to explore different career paths and discover career opportunities.
Networking: Networking with colleagues working nationally and internationally (e.g. from the SGBE, JMED, EACME, ASBH or the Harvard Medical School Centre for Bioethics)
Membership
If you are interested in becoming an ECBN member or have any other enquiries, please send an email to ecbn@bioethics.ch.
ECBN membership requires SGBE membership. Further information is available here.
About us
Together, we form a collaborative team that is fully committed to the growth and success of our network.
Core team
Dr sc. med. Manya Hendriks, Biomedical Ethics, SAMW, Bern (Co-Chair)
PD Dr phil. Annina Seiler, Biomedical Ethics, USZ, Zurich (Co-Chair)
PD Dr Marta Fadda, Biomedical Ethics, USI, Lugano
Dr Ana Gurau, Biomedical Ethics, HUG, Geneva
Lea Heistrüvers, BA, M.mel., PhD Candidate, Biomedical Ethics, IBME, UZH, Zurich
Dr. sc. med. Martina Hodel, Clinical Ethics, LUKS/LUPS, Lucerne
Dr. med. Oliver Matthes, Clinical Ethics, USZ, Zurich
Dr. sc. med. Ana Rosca, Clinical Ethics, Zurich City Hospital, Zurich
Yi Jiao Angelina Tian, BA, MSc, PhD candidate, Biomedical Ethics, IBMB, USB, Basel
Dr Kristina Würth, Clinical Ethics, CHUV, Lausanne
Interested in joining the core team? Contact us to find out if there are opportunities to join the team (ecbn@bioethics.ch).
The National Ethics Committee
Awaiting text from Tanja
Swissethics
Fondation Gesundheitskompass
Contacts at academic departments
University of Basel
Prof. Dr Elger Bernice Simone:
https://ibmb.unibas.ch/en/persons/bernice-simone-elger/
University of Bern
Prof. Dr Rouven Porz:
Ethics – Inselspital – University Hospital of Bern
University of Geneva
Prof. Dr med. Hurst Samia:
https://www.unige.ch/medecine/ieh2/en/staff/samia-hurst-majno
University of Lausanne
Dr Jox Ralf (Dr med., Dr phil.):
University of Zurich
Prof. Dr med., Dipl. soc. Tanja Krones:
https://www.ibme.uzh.ch/en/Biomedical-Ethics/Team/Research-Fellows/tanjakrones.html