A Story of Vision, Trust, and Partnership
When two Nobel laureates decide to move from MIT to Zurich, it is more than an academic appointment – it’s a story of vision, trust, and partnership. Esther Duflo and Abhijit Banerjee’s decision to join the University of Zurich in 2026, made possible through the support of the Lemann Foundation, perfectly captures what the Excellence Foundation Zurich stands for: enabling exceptional research by building bridges between science, philanthropy, and society.
Each year, the Annual Research Night showcases this spirit in action. The 2025 edition brought together leaders from academia, business, and politics for an evening of inspiration and exchange. Nobel laureate James A. Robinson explored the ideational roots of democracy’s current crisis, while three UZH economists presented how their research connects to global challenges such as gender equality, education, and technological change. The event captured what the Excellence Foundation stands for – fostering dialogue between science, policy, and philanthropy to address the great challenges of our time, as Managing Director Katrin Polzer emphasized in her welcome.
That bridge has now become even stronger. With the generous commitment of the Lemann Foundation, Esther Duflo and Abhijit Banerjee will establish the Lemann Center for Development, Education and Public Policy at UZH’s Department of Economics. The new center will focus on translating rigorous research into policies that improve lives – from education reform to poverty reduction – and will connect researchers and policymakers across Switzerland, Brazil, and beyond.
For the department, this development is transformative. As Chair Florian Scheuer noted, “Welcoming Esther and Abhijit marks a true quantum leap for our department.” Their arrival illustrates how strong partnerships and academic excellence reinforce each other, expanding UZH’s global reach while strengthening the collaborative spirit that defines Zurich’s economics community.
Discover how you can engage. Join the Excellence Foundation Zurich in enabling research that drives positive change.