“An original and practical approach to reflecting on values”
EPFL Campus - 2026 EPFL/Alain Herzog - CC-BY-SA 4.0
From 15 April to 30 May 2026, the EPFL community is invited to say what makes the institution unique and inspiring as a place to study and work. While participation has so far been below expectations, the contributions received are highly qualitative and rich in insight.
“Anyway, it’s pointless!”, “No time…”, “What is it actually about?” — the reactions of a few people encountered on the EPFL campus show that the participatory process launched in mid‑April has not yet reached its full potential. To gather the views of members of the four EPFL bodies — faculty, students, scientific staff, and administrative and technical staff — on what the future Values Statement of the institution should contain, the EPFL Together project offers several channels: in‑person workshops, an online platform, and mailboxes on campus. Feedback from those who have already taken part shows that the exercise is very well received.
On the satisfaction survey distributed after the workshops, responses are unanimously enthusiastic. One participant noted that they appreciated “the friendly atmosphere and the opportunity to meet other collaborators from fields other than my own at EPFL.” Another highlighted “the original and practical approach to reflecting on values.” During the 90‑minute workshop, participants are invited to share experiences about what makes them proud to be part of EPFL. The testimonies are varied, making it possible to multiply perspectives on the School’s strengths and to stimulate reflection on its intrinsic values — sometimes implicit or not yet explicitly articulated. The discussions also provide an opportunity to express wishes for evolution and change, or to point out practices that do not always align with stated aspirations.
On the online platform, contributions address a wide range of themes, with the option to debate for or against the opinions expressed. Mobility issues, for example, are polarizing, whether concerning car commuting or air travel. The spirit of mutual support present within services and associations alike is often highlighted, but there are also criticisms regarding the general state of the campus or the School’s “overly techno‑solutionist” approach. The quality of teaching is emphasized as well, alongside several recommendations on how to improve further.
One month left to take part
There is still one month left to take part in the EPFL Together project, with plenty of available slots in the workshops, as well as the opportunity to spend just a few minutes on the platform or to drop a card into one of the mailboxes. A survey‑based consultation of Alumni will also take place in May. All contributions will then be brought together and analyzed by the project’s Steering Committee, which includes representatives from all bodies of the School community.
The aim is to present a Values Statement for EPFL to the Direction over the summer. It will then be submitted to the community for consultation in the autumn, together with an integration plan to embed these values in day‑to‑day practices across units.
According to Helene Füger, EPFL’s Equal Opportunities Delegate and head of the support team for the EPFL Together project, “this is the first time the School has undertaken this kind of process. I can understand why some people question the usefulness of the exercise. However, once you engage with it, you realize that such an initiative is essential if we want to promote a culture of dialogue. It is worth taking the time for this — especially in an ambitious institution that wants to have an impact.”