Q&A with the Swiss Education Evidence Lab

For someone coming across the term for the first time: what is the Swiss EdLab, and what is it trying to do?

In 2024, the Jacobs Center for Productive Youth Development (JCPYD) at the University of Zurich launched the Swiss Evidence in Education Lab (Swiss EdLab) in partnership with the Jacobs Foundation. Swiss EdLab advances evidence-based education by connecting scientific research with policy and practice across Switzerland. Centered on child development, it brings together key actors and uses scientific evidence to improve child development and education, addressing learning variability, learning environments, and institutional structures. Its workshops, roundtables, training courses, and evidence-based formats are designed for experts from research, policy, and the education community.

In collaboration with partners including DEEP, ProEdu, and Staatslabor, Swiss EdLab strengthens evidence literacy through platforms, visualizations, and trainings; facilitates the exchange between researchers and policymakers; and supports the practical application of evidence in education. Linked to the EU LEARN Project, it connects Switzerland to a broader European evidence ecosystem.

“While national and cantonal actors are skilled in collecting data, they often lack the time, resources, or support needed to fully interpret and apply research findings in their work.”

What problem in the education system is the Swiss EdLab trying to help solve?

In Switzerland, the quality of scientific evidence is strong, with high standards of reliability, validity, and rigor. Yet making this evidence truly useful for education policy and practice remains a challenge. A 2024 Interface report commissioned by the Jacobs Foundation highlights limited data literacy among decision-makers as a key obstacle. While national and cantonal actors are skilled in collecting data, they often lack the time, resources, or support needed to fully interpret and apply research findings in their work.

At the same time, academic research is not always geared toward the needs of practitioners. This creates a gap between what research offers and what is required in everyday decision-making. Addressing this disconnect is essential if evidence is to play a more meaningful role in shaping education in Switzerland.

What kinds of questions are coming from cantons right now, and what does that tell you about where evidence is most needed?

Swiss EdLab began by engaging directly with the system. We met with cantonal representatives and surveyed them on key development priorities in the short and mid-term.

What emerged is a clear set of shared questions across Switzerland : What works, and for whom?

In early childhood, there is a need for greater clarity on the role of digital media, both its effects on children and the influence of parental use. In language learning, the focus is on effectiveness: which approaches work best, at what age, and in which settings, and how schools can better engage families. Multilingualism is a defining feature of Switzerland. Understanding how it shapes learning, and how language development can be supported consistently across subjects and school levels, remains a key priority. Inclusion also varies across the system. Some schools are more successful than others in supporting diverse learners. Identifying the practices, structures, and professional supports behind this is essential. At the same time, there is a need to reduce reliance on costly forms of special schooling and to better understand which interventions are most effective for children with behavioural challenges, across classrooms, families, and support services. Questions around early tracking and grouping continue to play an important role in this context. Across all these areas, one point stands out: strengthening the link between evidence and policy is key to improving outcomes and ensuring a more effective and equitable education system.

“What emerged is a clear set of shared questions across Switzerland: What works, and for whom?”

This work happens at the level of evidence, policy, and administration. How does it ultimately connect back to children and young people?

Reaching children and young people happens indirectly, but with clear intent and impact.

First, Swiss EdLab improves the decisions that shape their everyday learning environments. It translates research into usable insights and facilitates teaching methods, support systems, and resources to better align with children’s real needs and development. Second, it strengthens the people and systems around them. Through training, dialogue, and collaboration across cantons and communities of practice, Swiss EdLab builds the capacity of those who design and deliver education. This leads to more responsive schools, more inclusive practices, and ultimately better well-being and development for children and young people.

What will the work look like in practice this year?

This year, Swiss EdLab will focus on producing practical evidence formats tailored to the Swiss education context, including policy briefs, research insights, and short “science myths.” In parallel, we will develop in-depth evidence syntheses for peer-reviewed publication and help develop a system for quality appraisal of evidence for the Swiss Evidence Ecosystem.

A central priority is structured dialogue with cantonal authorities and education professionals to identify current challenges, priorities, and regional differences. This ensures our work reflects the federal nature of the system.

Based on this, we will deliver targeted factsheets and syntheses on key topics such as multilingualism, school quality, and educational pathways. We will convene Science-Policy Cycles, sounding boards, expert panels, and a scientific event on multilingualism to support exchange and alignment.

Overall, the focus is on generating relevant evidence and embedding it in cantonal decision-making to strengthen evidence-informed policy and practice across Switzerland.

“Success would not mean having all the answers. It would mean demonstrating that this way of working, connecting evidence and policy, adds value.”

What would success look like for the Swiss EdLab a year from now?

Success in one year means that Swiss EdLab is seen as a trusted partner in the Swiss education system. Policymakers and education professionals across several cantons engage with us, bring their questions, and use our formats, including policy briefs, insights, and syntheses, to inform their work. Our dialogue formats are established and used. Science-Policy Cycles and expert exchanges address real cantonal needs.

We would have taken initial steps toward improving how evidence is shared and assessed across the system, for example through a first version of a common evidence taxonomy or quality appraisal standards.

Importantly, success would not mean having all the answers. It would mean demonstrating that this way of working, connecting evidence and policy policy adds value. If we see growing trust, continued engagement, and early examples of evidence being used more effectively, that would be a strong foundation to build on.