Dr. Matthias Ammann joined the UBS Center as COO in September 2020. Prior to that, he was a Fellow at Avenir Suisse from 2017 to 2020, where he focused on education policy and on the potential of digitization for government and administration. He completed his doctorate at the University of St. Gallen after his studies in International Affairs and Governance as well as International Management at the University of St. Gallen and the Copenhagen Business School.

UBS Center: Who is Matthias Ammann?

Matthias Ammann: I grew up in Zurich and attended schools in this small but worldly city up until my baccalaureate. For my studies, however, I was drawn to St. Gallen, where I got to know the academic world. It is therefore now very nice to be able to contribute to an excellent university in my hometown. As a highly communicative person, I am very pleased to be able to organize stimulating events and to bring the scientific work closer to an interested audience.

UBS Center: What are you passionate about?

Matthias Ammann: I find unexpected insights and surprising ideas incredibly exciting. I am happy to contribute to the dispersal of new ideas and to promote the dialogue with top-class discussion partners. The current corona epidemic illustrates once again the importance of science for us all. However, it is equally vital to make knowledge accessible to a broad public. The UBS Center for Economics in Society offers an outstanding platform for precisely this purpose. My predecessors have done excellent work. I look forward to continuing and developing this endeavor.

UBS Center: In your opinion, what role should science play in society?

Matthias Ammann: Science creates knowledge through the process of collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data. It is imperative that researchers be independent in this process. In my understanding, however, science must not be completely detached from society; it should also generate concrete benefits. However, research is not only conducted at universities and colleges. Switzerland is also home to many companies and organizations that are leaders in research. A good interaction between academia, economy, and society are central for creating innovation and prosperity.

UBS Center: Why is an exchange between science and society important?

Matthias Ammann: It is only through the exchange of information that knowledge gains relevance and can provide concrete benefits. Self-referential research misjudges the actual task of science. For this reason, the UBS Center is based on two pillars: supporting top-level academic research and promoting the dialogue between science and society, summarized in the Center’s motto "Economics. For Society".

UBS Center: As a Fellow at Avenir Suisse, you recently published an economic analysis on the free movement of persons. What are the main insights?

Matthias Ammann: Switzerland is one of the most innovative countries in the world, with an outstanding research output. It is dependent on the best minds from all over the world. 40% of lecturers at the University of Zurich come from abroad. Located in the heart of Europe, it makes sense to be able to draw on the expertise of the surrounding countries. Switzerland has had very good experiences with the free movement of persons. Today, the proportion of immigrants with a university degree is the highest since free movement began. For this reason, Swiss universities favor simplified mobility for specialists.

UBS Center: Recently, UBS announced the Center’s extension for an additional 10 years. What are your vision and plans for the Center?

Matthias Ammann: The UBS Center is a success story. Thanks to UBS's commitment, important impulses have enhanced the international perception of the Department of Economics at the University of Zurich. It is a wonderful responsibility to further strengthen this good reputation of the department. Since its inception, the UBS Center has been able to attract many speakers with an international standing, including numerous Nobel Laureates. The video material is incredibly rich. The Policy Briefs and Public Papers represent two written formats with enormous potential. In combination, they are a great treasure that needs to be presented in order to intensify communication with an interested audience.

UBS Center: Looking at the ongoing Corona-crisis, we need to think about the “new normal”. What does this mean for the UBS Center?

Matthias Ammann: Corona definitely has led us to extraordinary times – especially when starting at a new place of work. Many low-threshold opportunities to get to know each other have disappeared over the last months. The UBS Center with its high-profile events is experiencing a similar situation. The events thrive on the excitement and interaction with the audience and, of course, on the informal exchange of ideas. It is not easy to carry this intensive dialogue into the digital world. But it also opens new opportunities. For example, we can reach an international audience that cannot be on site. In any case, I am very much looking forward to the upcoming digital edition of the Forum for Economic Dialogue “Rethinking Inequalities”.