Switzerland's Imperative to face outwards

Abstract

Robert Buttery explores the tumultuous history of the Swiss–EU relationship over the past 30 years and how it has impacted Swiss international higher education. As a non-EU country, Switzerland’s participation in European mobility and research programmes, such as Erasmus+ and Horizon 2020, have been shaped by the interplay between national and supranational politics. Since 1987, Swiss HEIs have lived in periods of uncertainty concerning their involvement in European programmes and networks. During these periods of precariousness, the Swiss higher education community lobbied the government and continued to draw strength from their international networks. Throughout the essay, Robert draws parallels between the Swiss case and the Brexit referendum and negotiations.