First USI project funded by the Swiss Network for International Studies (SNIS)
Research Service
24 November 2021
In January the first USI project funded by the Swiss Network for International Studies (SNIS) will start. The project “Deliberative Quality in Trade-Related International Organisations”, will be coordinated by Prof. Jean-Patrick Villeneuve, director of the Institute of Communication and Public Policy (ICPP) and by Dr. Alberto Bitonti (ICPP) as co-coordinator. Moreover it will include several national and international partners, including entities from China and Chile, among others.
What will be the medium/long terms impacts of your research work?
Having the possibility of integrating and funding the participation of colleagues not only in Switzerland but also from around the world is great! This is not possible with regular SNSF projects and opens the door to a variety of other initiatives. Beyond the colleagues, it allows you to meet and work with organizations at the international level. This is made all the more easy as they all know SNIS and see it as a valuable and respected partner for research.
What are the benefits of participating in such a project?
This project will allow to plan and discuss research with those in charge of activating it at the highest level. It allows to reach a completely different level of impact. It is to be seen as a stepping stone for further projects and to identify synergies with other projects and initiatives with these organisations. For more junior colleagues, it also adds a much valued collaboration outside of the walls of academia.
What suggestions would you give to those who intend to apply to this funding scheme?
Identify, first and foremost, what impact you want to have and work backward to theories and methods.
Identify organizations that are essential to the research but also to the policy/implementation aspect.
Reach out to the best of the best. We research trade, we talked to the WTO. You’ll be surprised how happy they will be to talk to you.
Keep in mind the institutional limitations of these organizations as well as their own objectives. Make sure you remain aware of the former and fully engage towards the latter.