Education Systems
Professor Ursula Renold
Our research investigates the challenges facing education systems, focusing strongly on vocational and professional education and training programs. We also examine the characteristics of effective education systems around the world, and how well these systems meet labour market demand. We additionally research gender, immigration and development issues. Building on our experience in translational research, our findings enhance the role of education systems in development, in Switzerland and around the world.
Research
Education Systems Reform Lab (CEMETS)
CEMETS is led by Dr Katie Caves and focuses on the design, implementation, and outcomes of educational reforms around the world. Specifically, CEMETS compares and analyses education systems, to formulate evidence-based recommendations. Given that education systems are deeply rooted in the specific cultures of individual countries, we have developed benchmark instruments like the Education-Employment Linkage Index (EELI), which examines how actors in the education and employment systems share power in vocational education and training programs. These benchmark indicators allow for a comparison of the institutional and legal frameworks of global education systems and of their governance and contribute to the analysis of the impacts of specific characteristics of education systems on the youth labor market.
Swiss Education Lab (SEL)
SEL is led by Lena Dändliker and examines educational processes and their impact on the various stakeholders in the context of the institutional and regulatory framework. The lab undertakes quantitative and qualitative work to establish the advantages and importance of individual education programs and their relationships with one another. Examples of projects include digital transformation in higher technical colleges, the classification of STEM in Switzerland associated funding, training in several apprenticeship programs like fashion and construction, and the impact of distance learning on vocational baccalaureate acquisition.
Other
Other focuses of the chair include a mix of meta-analyses and quantitative studies on formal and informal VET systems, the robustness of education systemsthe impact of immigration on educational aspirations and education programs aimed at assimilating immigrant children into the society.
Publications
Teaching
We welcome D-MTEC students (MSc and MAS) who would like to write their Master’s thesis in our research group. The topic of the thesis can be decided on individually, considering the interests of the student and inputs from the tutor and the supervising staff member.
MSc students are required, and MAS students are strongly encouraged, to take the following course:
- 363-1107-00 Youth Labor Market Outcomes, Institutions and Governance of Education and Training Systems
We are also happy to supervise BSc and MSc theses written by students from other ETH departments and from other universities, if the topics can be linked to ongoing research by our group. Details regarding the duration of the work and other administrative matters should be clarified by students with their respective institution.
Students interested in writing a thesis with us are requested to send an application (short biography, transcript, description of motivation and topic) directly to the administration of our professorship.
Please note that CES will be wound up in January 2027. We can therefore only accept new students until June 2026, and any Master’s thesis must be finalized no later than December 2026.