Building Tomorrow: ETH President Joël Mesot on Innovation, Partnerships, and Real-World Impact

In this episode of We Are ETH, host Susan Kish speaks with Joël Mesot, President of ETH Zurich, a scientist and people-first leader who has guided ETH through rapid change with calm resolve and big ambition. With warmth and humility, Mesot explains how collective intelligence across departments turns ideas into impact, from the Geo Lab and next-generation space research to AI and climate technologies. He shares why ETH is speeding up translation from lab to society, how programmatic fundraising unlocks bold projects, and why close industry partnerships matter for Switzerland. They revisit lessons from COVID that strengthened autonomy and speed, and they talk about an education model that blends technical excellence with values, leadership, and communication. Mesot is generous about his team, candid about geopolitical headwinds, and clear about the legacy he hopes to leave: faster paths to impact, stronger ties with society, and a university that listens. Inspiring, pragmatic and deeply human.Chapters(00:29) A Day in the Life of ETH President(01:45) Fundraising and External Relations(03:06) Research Initiatives and Achievements(04:19) Collective Intelligence and Collaboration(05:08) COVID-19 Response and Rapid Innovation(07:10) Autonomy and Speed in Research(08:35) Legacy and Future Vision(10:28) Climate Change and Environmental Research(11:12) Educational Values and Competencies(15:20) AI and Space Research(21:27) Challenges and Opportunities Ahead(29:34) Final Thoughts and Farewell