In the 2nd Outreach Call, DIZH is funding eight projects that make digital innovations visible and bring research findings into schools, the public and practice. Selected from 21 submitted proposals, several of these build on previous DIZH funding instruments, such as Rapid Action Calls, Project Calls or the Fellowship Program of ZHAW digital. They are now opening up to new target groups and promoting knowledge transfer between universities and society. The topics range from AI literacy and writing support, through historical pandemics, language technologies and podcasts, to trustworthy AI and the dialogue between academia, politics and public administration.
Remember. Understand. Envision. Historical pandemics in collective memory
The pop-up exhibition “Remember. Understand. Envision.” brings research findings on historical pandemics to life as an interactive experience and invites visitors to reflect on collective memory, social resilience and digital transformation. The underlying research project was initiated in the DIZH Rapid Action Call and subsequently received further funding from the SNSF. The Outreach Call now makes it possible to make the developed content accessible to a wider audience.
Konditorei Kritzel – Playful handwriting motor skills training
Motivating children with writing difficulties: The digital writing game “Konditorei Kritzel“, developed in collaboration between ZHAW, ZHdK and PHZH, embeds handwriting motor skills exercises into an engaging game world. It is now being disseminated specifically in schools, therapy practices and families through workshops, information materials and dialogue with professionals.
DiKo – Digital concentration aid for children
Smartwatches can effectively support children with attention difficulties. “DiKo” targets children, parents and professionals. Talks and workshops offer practical orientation on the use of digital concentration aids. The long-term goal is to build a community that continues the exchange.
From AI literacy to digital resilience: empowering young people in the digital transformation
The learning tool “KI-Schule” provides teachers with concrete tools to promote digital resilience in the classroom. In workshops, teachers test and further develop the tool collaboratively. As part of Scientifica 2026, “KI-Schule” will be presented to a broad public audience.
DigitalForum
The DigitalForum of the Digital Society Initiative (DSI) at UZH creates a platform for exchange between academia, politics and public administration. Webinars and a “Digital Landsgemeinde” make research findings from DIZH universities accessible to municipalities, cantonal administrative units and the Cantonal Parliament.
TAIC – Trustworthy AI Circle
Trustworthy AI is not an abstract principle, but manifests itself in concrete projects, decisions and practices. makes these examples visible: through dialogue between researchers, experts and citizens, TAIC connects scientific principles with their implementation in everyday life. The aim is a society that actively and informedly shapes the digital transformation.
Swiss NLP Expo 2027
Language technologies are changing the way we communicate, work and learn. The Swiss NLP Expo 2027 brings together research and practice: in three phases, innovations in the field of digital language technologies will be made accessible to a broad professional community. As an agile directory of a growing community, the “Zurich Language Technologies Map” will make the resulting networks permanently visible. The Expo builds on the proven format of the Swiss NLP Expo 2025.
Designing Podcasts – Transfer, Training, Tools
Podcasts are now part of everyday life, whether as entertainment, an educational format or a source of information. The “Designing Podcasts” project investigated how successful podcasts are conceived and used, and summarised the findings in the Manual “Designing Podcasts”. The content is now being transferred into a series of workshops and put into practice in collaboration with the association “Junge Journalistinnen und Journalisten Schweiz” (Young Journalists Switzerland).
The eight funded projects each receive up to CHF 50,000 from DIZH. The universities contribute equally to the funding through matching funds. Projects duration are up to 18 months.
With the 2nd Outreach Call, DIZH is bringing research from Zurich’s universities into society. The funded projects strengthen digital literacy, open up research to new target groups and create connections between universities, schools, civil society and politics.
We provide regular updates on the progress of the projects and upcoming events via our newsletter.