Speak Up! team

 

We are a group of volunteers made up of students, employees, and practitioners. We bring a diverse range of experiences and ideas, and are united in our mission to make academia a better place to work and study.

Margrit Hugentobler

President

My name is Margrit. I am a co-founder of Speak-Up. Inadequate processes and the lacking commitment of institutional leadership to prevent and act against serious discrimination, mobbying and harassment appear to continue. External organizations like Speak Up! in Academia are thus still needed to play a supportive and advocacy role. I received a Ph.D. in sociology/political science from the University of Michigan. And worked at ETH for 23 years as a researcher and senior scientist. 

Matúš Divéky

Vice President

Hello I am Matus and believe in strong institutions and fairness across all levels. I am a dedicated advocate of fair treatment and equality, which is still lacking in certain areas of our society. Realising that academia is one of the sectors where progress in these areas is desperately needed led me to join Speak Up !. I hold a PhD. degree in Physical Chemistry from ETH Zurich. Prior to my arrival at ETH, I studied in London and Vancouver.

Lizzy Metcalf

Treasurer

Hi, I’m Lizzy. I have hope in the collective power of people to change things for the better. Having supported members of academia facing unfair treatment in the past, I was driven to join Speak Up to reach more people and further drive positive change. My desire is for real and lasting improvements that empower those in academia to learn and work at their best. Before moving to Zurich, I lived in London when I completed my Masters in Chemistry.

Valentina Gasser

Board Member

Hi, my name is Valentina. My vision is for everyone in academia to blossom without facing discrimination or harassment based on gender, ethnicity, or any other attribute that makes them beautifully unique. Unfortunately, academia is a breeding ground for power abuse, which is why I chose to join this brilliant, determined team to help eradicate this power imbalance. I hold a PhD in Chemistry from ETH Zürich, where I was vice-president of WiNS and received the 2023 Diversity Award. My biggest passions are music, dancing, good food, and great company.

Former board members

  • Alice Hertzog-Fraser
  • Laure Lemrich
  • Edoardo Signori
  • Samira Lenzin
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