Research

Research constitutes a central pillar of UniDistance Suisse’s mission. The aim is to promote scientific excellence and strengthen UniDistance Suisse’s international visibility. To this end, it is guided by high international standards and fosters close links between research and teaching. The Brig campus and the development of interdisciplinary research areas provide essential conditions for achieving this ambition. On this basis, UniDistance Suisse contributes to the production of relevant and innovative scientific knowledge.

Read our Research Strategy

Mission and vision

UniDistance Suisse conducts its research activities in accordance with international standards. Its ambition is twofold: first, to firmly establish research activities within the faculties’ priority disciplinary areas. Second, it seeks to develop an interfaculty research focus on digital teaching and learning. This research focus is intended to achieve both national and international visibility.

The Brig campus plays a pivotal role in this regard. It fosters exchange between researchers, strengthens interdisciplinary collaboration and creates an environment for innovation. In this way, UniDistance Suisse further develops its leading role in the field of digital teaching and learning. At the same time, current research findings are systematically integrated into teaching, particularly at Master’s level.

Strategic development priorities

To achieve these objectives by 2027, the research strategy is based on six key pillars:

Increasing the proportion of highly qualified professors: UniDistance Suisse is increasing the proportion of highly qualified professors, thereby strengthening research and research-based teaching. By 2027, professors are expected to account for 40% of teaching capacity, with a medium-term target of at least 50% across all study programmes.
Supporting early-career researchers: UniDistance Suisse supports early-career researchers through its own doctoral training programme, as well as by providing support in securing competitive third-party funding and building international networks. The Brig campus provides a supportive environment for academic career development.
Developing research areas within the faculties: Each faculty defines clearly identified disciplinary research areas, for example in law, psychology or economics. These areas are clearly documented and embedded within the relevant scientific communities. This strengthens the faculties’ research profiles and academic positioning.
Establishing a leading role in digital teaching and learning: UniDistance Suisse is developing an interfaculty research focus on distance education and digital teaching and learning. This brings together fundamental research, the further development of digital forms of teaching and learning, and interdisciplinary research programmes. It is further strengthened by two professorships in this field.
Supporting third-party funding acquisition and publications: UniDistance Suisse supports researchers in securing competitive third-party funding and publishing their research. Internal funding, evaluation mechanisms and a specialised unit within the Vice-Rectorate for Research help to ensure research quality and support its strategic development.
National and international cooperation: The strategy promotes the development of long-term collaborations with selected partner institutions in Switzerland and abroad. The focus is on joint research projects and publications, joint applications for third-party funding and a stronger presence in international research networks.

Implementation and monitoring

The strategy is implemented in accordance with the 2022–2027 University Development Plan. A detailed action plan, prioritised and accompanied by cost projections, guides the achievement of the strategic objectives in the short, medium and long term. Implementation is a shared responsibility of the faculties, the Vice-Rectorate for Research, the Rectorate and other central services. The action plan is regularly reviewed and updated to take account of new developments in the research landscape.

Last update 21.08.2026 Contributor Research Support Office