Collegium Helveticum

Encounters and exchange

As members of the Collegium community, fellows are actively involved in academic life and have ample opportunities to exchange thoughts and ideas with other fellows. The following describes the range of discussion formats and events which are organized by the Collegium for the fellows.

Workshop discussions

Each week, an early-career or senior fellow presents their ongoing work, followed by a discussion. It has become a tradition to continue the conversations informally.

Fellows’ Lunch Seminar

Each Thursday, fellows come together for a weekly Lunch Seminar. For this format, fellows propose important topics of shared interest for discussion over lunch. The discussions are kicked off by several fellows with different backgrounds.

Reading, Film, and Discussion Groups

Fellows are encouraged to discuss texts and topics in smaller groups. The Collegium supports such fellow-led initiatives and provides space and infrastructure.

Jour Fixe

Once a month, fellows visit a location in or around Zurich after sharing lunch to deepen their connection and conversations. In recent years, fellows had a peek behind the scenes of art and lab spaces, explored areas of urban nature, or visited film shooting locations.

Ludwik Fleck Lecture

Ludwik Fleck’s thinking continues to be an important reference for the transdisciplinary research at the Collegium. Since 2006, the annual Ludwik Fleck Lecture engages with a topic related to the life and work of Fleck. Past speakers include Carlo Ginzburg, Michael Gordin, Bruno Latour, and Annemarie Mol.

Events organized by the fellows

Early-career and senior fellows are encouraged to make use of the building’s spaces and contribute to the Collegium’s interdisciplinary and public program by organizing an event around their project and research interests.