Think Tank
As a bridge between academia and practice, the CSS Think Tank complements the CSS value chain of research, education and training with policy advice. It sustains dialogue with public administration, politics and society on security policy and peace promotion. Close collaboration with its strategic partners, the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS) and the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), strengthens its understanding of policy-relevant issues.
The Think Tank is part of the Center for Security Studies (CSS), a center of competence for national and international security policy, which the Swiss Federal Council has designated as a “national task” entrusted to ETH Zurich. Its affiliation with a world-leading university and the strategic partnerships of the CSS with the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS) and the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) shape its character and work.
Promotion of a forward-looking and coherent security policy and effective peacebuilding
With its expertise, publications, and dialogue formats, the CSS Think Tank supports the development of a forward-looking and coherent security policy and of effective peace promotion in Switzerland. It anticipates and analyzes the implications of international security developments for Switzerland and enriches international security debates with insights and perspectives. The Think Tank also makes its contextual knowledge and assessments of policy options available to the interested public and other non-governmental actors to provide orientation. Furthermore, it contributes to talent development and the education and training of specialists in security policy and peace promotion.
Supporting a holistic concept of security
Within its teams, the CSS Think Tank addresses a broad range of security-related fields, including defence and internal security, as well as foreign-policy-relevant aspects such as peace promotion, arms control, and broader questions of Switzerland’s international positioning. The concept of resilience is gaining importance and requires in-depth reflection under current conditions. In the coming years, greater attention will be paid to the interfaces between security and the economy (economic security) and between security and science (knowledge security). Anticipating emerging interfaces and topics is a core element of the CSS’s work.
Like the entire CSS, the Think Tank is independent, non-partisan and committed to academic freedom. Its analyses are science-based and adhere to high-quality standards. It embraces a broad conceptual understanding of security, works in an inter- and transdisciplinary manner, promotes policy formulation across administrative units and builds on national and international networks. In doing so, it addresses the growing complexity of security policy issues.
Head of Think Tank
Dr. Daniel Möckli is heading the Think Tank at the Center for Security Studies, ETH Zurich. This strategic management level is complemented by a Think Tank board, which reflects the Think Tank's long-term topics. The members of the Think Tank board head the thematic sections of the CSS Think Tank. These are: Security & Defense in Europe, Global Security, Risk & Resilience, and Mediation and Peace.