The Geneva Science-Policy Interface (GSPI) is an independent platform with the mission to foster and promote science-informed policymaking, by leveraging its unique position in the heart of Geneva as a hub of international cooperation. Nested within a world-class university, the GSPI addresses some of the key barriers to effective engagement between scientific institutions and international policy professionals.
Founded in 2018 by the University of Geneva with the joint support of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, the GSPI is backed by leading research institutions and key multilateral partners.
Governing Board
Kurt Deketelaere
Secretary-General, League of European Research Universities (LERU)
Marie-Laure Salles
Fabiola Gianotti
Director-General, CERN
Michael Schaepman
President, University of Zurich
Joël Mesot
President, ETH Zurich
Martin Vetterli
President, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)
Audrey Leuba
Rector, University of Geneva
Steering Committee
Kurt Deketelaere
Secretary-General, League of European Research Universities (LERU)
Benedikt Knüsel
Head, Science-Policy Interface, ETH Zurich
Archana Sharma
Senior Adviser for Relations with International Organisations, CERN
Stéphane Berthet
Vice Rector, University of Geneva
Nina Eggert
Advisor for institutional relations, EPFL
Jérôme Duberry
Managing Director of the Tech Hub, The Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies
Katja Durkin-Sommerhalder
Head of Global Affairs, University of Zurich
Executive team
Nicolas Seidler
Nicolas Seidler has been the Executive Director of the GSPI since October 2018. In his previous position as Senior Policy Advisor at the Internet Society, he developed an extensive network of collaboration and engagement with international organizations and NGOs in Geneva and abroad. He led the organization’s policy implementation in the fields of Digital Rights and the Internet of Things and made numerous publications and public interventions in international fora. Nicolas obtained a Master in International Relations from the University of Geneva and the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in 2007, and a Master in Communication and Media Sciences from the University of Geneva in 2009.
Frédérique Guérin
Dr Frédérique Guérin is the Deputy Director for Strategic Programmes at the GSPI. She oversees the knowledge and learning activities of the GSPI, as well as the strategic development of programmes. Prior to joining the GSPI, she held diverse positions spanning the boundaries of knowledge and policy advice. She worked as a programme manager in the mediation and policy support unit of the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue for 4 years, supporting private diplomacy initiatives with evidence- and practice-based insights. She launched and ran the Geneva Peacebuilding Platform for 3 years, bringing together researchers, practitioners and policy actors to advance the understanding and practice of peace processes. She coordinated the scientific secretariat of a peace initiative in Tajikistan for four years and also worked as a consultant on developing evidence-based teaching curriculum in the field of peace education. She holds a Masters Degree in Political Science from the Institut d’Etudes Politiques in Lyon, and a Masters Degree and a PhD from the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva.
Mialy Rann
Dr Mialy Rann is the Science-Policy Officer of the GSPI. She oversees the capacity building activities of the GSPI and coordinates its annual call for projects. She will also take part in knowledge production processes around specific themes. Mialy has extensive research experience in sustainability, biodiversity and fisheries issues. She also has practical experience with NGOs and science-policy interfaces including with the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES). She holds a Masters Degree in Nature Conservation Leadership from Cambridge University and a PhD in Geography from the University of Lausanne.
Cristina Agrigoroae
Cristina Agrigoroae joined the team as Communication & Outreach Manager and her mission is to give better visibility to GSPI’s activities and its positioning in both the academic and international Geneva’s landscapes. With a multicultural background, she speaks four languages and holds a Master’s degree in Communication and Journalism from the University of Geneva. After several editorial and visual communication roles, she has spent four years communicating science to the public, decision-makers and the media in various communication and outreach missions at CERN.