ECBN

Early Career Bioethicists Network – ECBN

The Early Career Bioethicists Network (ECBN) aims to foster collaboration and professional development among early-career bioethicists and other professionals working in the fields of bioethics, clinical ethics, or public health ethics. The platform is specifically aimed at people in the early to mid stages of their careers.

Career paths and opportunities for professional development in biomedical ethics can be challenging, despite the availability of structured programmes such as doctoral programmes, postgraduate training, or Master’s degree programmes in biomedical or applied ethics. For this reason, the ECBN is committed to supporting and empowering bioethicists in the early stages of their careers, improving access to the bioethics community, and encouraging them to express their opinions, thoughts, and ideas in a safe space.

Our network fills an existing gap by providing a protected space for professional exchange among early-career bioethicists, thereby fostering peer support and creating opportunities for networking.

Who can join?

The ECBN is an open platform for people in the early to mid stages of their careers (e.g. PhD candidates, postdoctoral researchers, clinical ethicists) in Switzerland. Our members come from a wide range of professional backgrounds, including medicine, nursing science, psychology, philosophy, sociology, anthropology, and public health.

Objectives

1. To create a supportive environment for exchange, sharing ideas and experiences, and learning from peers;
2. To bring together people with an interest in bioethics and build a professional network;
3. To promote the professional development of early-career bioethicists.

Through these activities, we hope to increase the visibility and recognition of early-career bioethicists.

Activities

We warmly invite you to participate in the following activities:

• Annual workshop: This platform provides an opportunity for in-depth discussion, shared learning experiences, and professional exchange. The event also offers participants the opportunity to explore different career paths and discover career opportunities.
• Networking and exchange: Opportunities to connect with colleagues working nationally and internationally (e.g. SGBE, JMED, EACME, ASBH, or the Harvard Medical School Center for Bioethics).

Membership

If you are interested in becoming an ECBN member or have any other questions, please email ecbn@bioethics.ch.

ECBN membership requires membership in the SGBE. More information is available here.

About us

Together, we form a collaborative team 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. phil. 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, Klinik Waldhaus, Chur

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. sc. med. Kristina Würth, Clinical Ethics, CHUV, Lausanne

Interested in joining the Core Team? Contact us to find out whether there are opportunities to become part of the team at ecbn@bioethics.ch.

ECBN Live Event – 18 September 2026