The Digital Council is a committee of experts and promotes the digital transformation at ZHdK. It initiates and supports strategic projects in the area of digitalisation and advises the university management in these matters. The Council’s members take up national and international discussions, bring in their expertise and contribute to the digital transformation at ZHdK in the areas of digital knowledge, digital work and skills for the digital age.
Author: Eva Brüllmann, ZHdK
Susanne Schumacher
Co-Chair Digital Council. Profession/education: art scientist. At ZHdK since: 2001 – A Space Odyssey. What I like about ZHdK: That the diversity of people, topics, approaches and forms of articulation always lead to new common starting points for further activities. When I’m not working, … I’m out in the fresh air. My wishes for the Toni-Areal: inspiration of all kinds, from exchange to collaboration. My favourite place in Zurich: my home – also because it’s in Zurich. The Digital Council is important because … in 2022, we need a clear attitude and active action towards the opportunities and challenges of digitalisation. Here, the Digital Council makes positive contributions to both culture and the development of ZHdK.
Renato Soldenhoff
Co-Chair Digital Council, Head of Digital Skills & Spaces Programme. Profession/education: MAS Leadership in Digital Communication, Interaction Manager FH. At ZHdK since: 2015. What I like about ZHdK: the sound of instruments echoing through the corridors; the commitment of everyone who comes in and out; and the difference. When I’m not working, I’m … moving through mountains, forests and restaurants with family and friends. My wishes for the Toni-Areal: a little more colour, a little bit more fresh air and a little more nature. My favourite place in Zurich: between the springboard and the water. The Digital Council is important because … digitalisation is a formative driver of our time and we want to use and help shape this development sensibly and according to our needs and ideas. This concerns us as individuals, in connection with others, as an organisation and society. The Digital Council contributes to this.
Marcel Bleuler
Head of Institute of Contemporary Art Research and PhD Programme in Fine Arts, Member of Digital Council. Profession/education: art scholar. At ZHdK since: 2019. What I like about ZHdK: the exchange with people who are creative and sensitive and who do not shy away from the question of the social relevance of what we do. I also really appreciate the fact that, despite the size of ZHdK, you always come across family environments (familiäre Umfelder) here. When I’m not working, I … do all the things that I don’t get enough of at work, and that has less to do with hobbies and more to do with friends, with culture in the broadest sense and with movement. My wishes for the Toni-Areal: slightly bigger portions in the otherwise very fine Simply Good menu in the cafeteria, and that the strange masking on the ashtrays by the main entrance be removed. My favourite place in Zurich: It depends on the occasion and my mood. Basically, however, all those places that are not so styled through and seem socially open. The Digital Council is important because … it needs an overarching and also critical discussion about which possibilities of digitalisation are or could become important for the members of ZHdK. I am interested in the Digital Council as a body for reflection and, if necessary, mediation.
Eva Pauline Bossow
Head of Transfer, Zurich Centre for Creative Economies, Member Digital Council. Profession/education: Master of Arts in Communication Science & Media Research, Master of Science in Business Administration, Coach & Expert for Startups, Advisory Board Member, Moderator. At ZHdK since: 2019. What I like about ZHdK: lots of exciting, intelligent people in one place, the campus atmosphere. When I’m not working, … I’m on the lake, in the wood workshop, on the Uetliberg, out with family and friends. My wishes for the Toni-Areal: more open doors, more of the artistic-creative pulse in the public space, more revolution. My favourite place in Zurich: There is no one place – the diversity in the smallest space is great. The Digital Council is important because … it investigates the significance of digital topics for ZHdK at various levels and can initiate their implementation – thus contributing to the future development of the university.
Wanja Krüger
Co-Head of Business Dossier Learning & Teaching and Lecturer BA Theatre DDK, Member Digital Council. Profession/education: Teacher of oral communication, speaking and voice in theatre and university didactics. At ZHdK since: 2001. What I like about ZHdK: the productive restlessness and the ability to meet people. When I’m not working, I’m … outdoors in nature or in the dojo practising Aikido. My wishes for the Toni-Areal: more constructive spaces. My favourite place in Zurich: the Schanzengrabensteg in summer. The Digital Council is important because … a group takes time to reflect on the topic from different perspectives and helps to develop foundations for discussions on this currently big topic. ZHdK is supported in clarifying its stances on digital issues and in identifying directions for development.
Christopher Salter
Professor Immersive Arts/Director Immersive Arts Space, Member Digital Council. Profession/education: Economics, Philosophy, Theater Sciences, Computer Music. At ZHdK since: 2022. What I like about ZHdK: it’s a real art school (unlike my previous university). When I’m not working, I’m … sleeping (and traveling). My wishes for the Toni-Areal: to meet lots of interesting people. My favourite place in Zurich: I’m too new – but I would say the Uetliberg (I live at the bottom and can see the peak from my balcony!). The Digital Council is important because … we all live in a computational age in the 21st century.
Miriam Schmidt-Wetzel
Professor for subject didactics art and design at DKV, active in research and teaching in the Bachelor and Master Art Education, head of the PhD programme subject didactics art & design, Member of the Digital Council. Profession/education: Art teacher and secondary school teacher. At ZHdK since: 2020. What I like about ZHdK: always working together with experts from very different fields. When I’m not working, I … enjoy life, especially with my husband and my daughter Lola. My wishes for the Toni-Areal: the same quality of stay in the building as on the roof terrace. My favourite place in Zurich: I’m always (still) discovering new ones. Off the top of my head: The western Limmat, from the Toni out of town. The Digital Council is important because … here we bring together perspectives from different departments and divisions of ZHdK and we can discuss and accompany digital developments together.
Stefano Vannotti
Head of Services/Ongoing Education DDE, Member Digital Council. Profession/education: Strategic designer and lecturer. At ZHdK since: 2004. What I like about ZHdK: the diversity of people, topics and surprises. When I’m not working, I … like to philosophise about football. My wishes for the Toni-Areal: hyper-flexible and tangibly-networked spaces. My favourite place in Zurich: Wollishofen. The Digital Council is important because … it offers orientation among the various aspects of digitality.
Irene Ragaller
Responsible for publication support at the MIZ, research assistant at Digital Council. Profession/training: Critical & Cultural Theory; Information and Library Studies. At ZHdK since: 2013. What I like about ZHdK: the convivial, creative atmosphere. When I’m not working, I’m … somewhere in the forest. My wishes for the Toni-Areal: a bit more green. My favourite place in Zurich: the edge of the forest at the foot of the Uetliberg. The Digital Council is important because … we want to approach digitalisation consciously instead of being passively driven by it.
Kaspar König
Artistic research assistant in the research focus Transdisciplinarity, staff member Digital Council. Profession/education: Industrial Design, Sound Art Composition. At ZHdK since: 2012. What I like about ZHdK: a melting pot of colourful people. When I’m not working, I … keep running around. My wishes for the Toni-Areal: community and identification with each other. My favourite place in Zurich: Limmat – usually in the water. The Digital Council is important because … it brings the future today.
Paolo del Ponte
Head of the Digital Work Programme at ZHdK. Profession/training: Innovation consultant. At ZHdK since: 2022. What I like about ZHdK: the diversity of people and their profiles. When I’m not working, I’m … in the mountains. May wishes for the Toni-Areal: perspective-expanding exchanges. My favourite place in Zurich: Unterer Letten and Minimum. The Digital Council is important because … it is crucial to be involved in the discussion and development of an ever-changing digital world.
Charlotte Axelsson
Head of E-Learning, staff member of the Digital Skills & Spaces programme. Profession/education: Wild mashup of education and communication design. At ZHdK since: 2017. What I like about ZHdK: the complexity. When I’m not working, I … bathe in the sea of colours. My wishes for the Toni-Areal: a trampoline on the roof … (… and a safe traffic light system Duttweilerbrücke/Pfingsweidstrasse and better bicycle parking in front of the building. More support for childcare and please 14 weeks maternity leave from birth and not from sick leave!). My favourite place in Zurich: Uetliberg Vitaparcours. The Digital Council is important because … it would be dramatic if it wasn’t.
Grit Wolany
Staff member Digital Skills & Spaces programme. Profession/education: Art Director & Trend Researcher. At ZHdK since: 2021. What I like about ZHdK: the creative energy that can be felt everywhere. When I’m not working, I’m … walking through the forest with my dog, watching documentaries or improving my 3D skills. My wishes for the Toni-Areal: cross-disciplinary curiosity and collaboration. My favourite place in Zurich: the Uetliberg. The Digital Council is important because … it actively contributes to shaping positive digital futures.