Research into the mobility of tomorrow at UZH
The University of Zurich (UZH) is establishing the "UZH Centre for the Future of Personal Mobility". The centre researches central questions of personal mobility and is being realised with a donation of 12.7 million Swiss francs from the Emil Frey Group.
Mobility is a fundamental social need and is subject to constant change. New technologies, alternative means of transport and political regulations are changing the way people get around. While public transport is the subject of intensive research, there has been a lack of comprehensive research into individual mobility to date. This gap is now to be closed by the newly founded research centre at UZH.
Research with an interdisciplinary approach
The “UZH Centre for the Future of Personal Mobility” investigates economic, ecological and social aspects of mobility. The focus is on topics such as climate policy, new drive technologies, digital networking and the future of charging and refuelling infrastructure. The centre also analyses the change in vehicle ownership and the role of autonomous vehicles, sharing models and app-based mobility services.
Cooperation across disciplinary boundaries
The centre will be based at the Institute of Business Administration in the Faculty of Economics and will cooperate closely with other disciplines. In addition to economics, geography, psychology, ethics and digital technologies will be involved in the research. The aim is to analyse mobility from a holistic perspective and translate scientific findings into practical solutions.
Structure and development of the research centre
At the heart of the centre is a professorship focusing on “Personal Mobility Management and Innovation”, which is scheduled to be filled in the second quarter of 2025. The professorship will be complemented by four doctoral positions and one postdoc position. The centre will be established gradually and integrated into UZH’s existing research structures.
Scientific foundations for the mobility of the future
By establishing the research centre, UZH is making an important contribution to shaping the mobility of tomorrow. Through interdisciplinary research and close collaboration with partners from science and practice, innovative solutions are to be developed that promote sustainable and efficient forms of mobility.