Collected and courageous
For 24 years, Ulrike Schlachter steered the fortunes of D-MAVT as Department Coordinator. Since September 2023, Karin Werer and Maddalena Velonà have been gradually taking over from her. In this interview, they talk about their lessons from the past and plans for the future.
Ms. Schlachter, in 2024, you will have completed almost a quarter of a century at ETH and will be retiring. What has changed during this time?
Ulrike Schlachter: ETH Zurich has become much more dynamic overall and has grown significantly. When I started at the Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering (D-MAVT), there were 20 professorships. Today we fluctuate between 47 and 50.
As a result, the demands on the organization and processes have changed a lot. Initially, my primary focus was on finances. Gradually, other areas were added, such as professorship planning, opinions on consultations, security issues, real estate as well as PR and communications. The topic of real estate alone is very challenging given the size of the department, especially as we try to create as much flexibility as possible. We allocate 20% of the space as required and not on a fixed basis. In addition to all these operational tasks, our impact on society and value orientation have become increasingly important.
Are there also things that have not changed?
Schlachter: Despite considerable efforts (see box), the number of women who work or study at the department is unfortunately still well below that of other northern or eastern European universities. But at least the number of international students has increased, which means more diversity and a broader perspective on issues.
Ms. Werer, you joined D-MAVT in September 2023. What is your first impression? Is it identical to that of your predecessor?
Karin Werer: The variety of topics is indeed great, and I am very enthusiastic about that. I appreciate the lively exchange with the various groups and partners within the department and across ETH and all the interesting people I meet every day – and we want to continue to offer a diverse, inclusive, and equal environment that promotes both diversity and respect.
Is that why you took on the role of Department Coordinator?
Werer: Well, I am an ETH alumna myself and have personally experienced how ETH shapes you for the rest of your life. Making this experience possible for young people and offering them a world-class education and an open, and creative environment motivates me. The education in mechanical and process engineering will give them the foundation to develop solutions for the social challenges of our time.
Ms. Velonà you will share the role Department Coordinator with Karin Werer and take over controlling. Why did you decide to do this?
Maddalena Velonà: At the beginning, I of course asked myself whether I should take on such a new task at the age of 60 - especially as controlling is not my area of expertise. In the end, I decided to take it on because it is an exciting challenge and I can make use of my extensive knowledge of the department. After all, I've been at the D-MAVT for 20 years. My contacts within the university and my insights into the departmental strategy are helpful for this role. It also allows me to support Karin. After all, Ulrike's role has grown so much over the years that one person alone can hardly handle it.
If someone in the department didn't know what to do, it used to be "let’s ask Ulrike". How do you go about dealing with this – considering that it is of course impossible to build up so many years of experience in just a few months?
Werer: That's very true. - And for me, the most fascinating thing is that Ulrike can answer everything 'on the spot' from memory.
But yes, of course it takes time to build up this wealth of experience - and I'm taking that time. As an endurance athlete, I know that many small steps lead to the finish line. With this in mind, I am constantly expanding my knowledge and gaining my own experience. This results in a good mix of the tried and tested and the new. Because sometimes it's also good to look at things from a new perspective.
Plus, I can rely on the many years of experience of my co-lead Maddalena. She knows the department inside out and is very well connected.
Are there things that you would specifically like to continue doing the same way as Ulrike Schlachter?
Werer: I really appreciate Ulrike's open and transparent manner. Personally, it is very important to me to meet people at eye level, and I value a trust-based approach. Ulrike has the ability to engage and involve people to create an environment in which all employees can grow. I like that. After all, I myself stand for empowering and value-oriented leadership.
Velonà: It is important to me to ensure continuity and at the same time to help shape the tasks of departmental coordination in a sustainable way for the future. After all, we have all experienced the challenges Ulrike has had to deal with.
Ms. Schlachter, you lived and breathed D-MAVT – every day and even at weekends. What will you miss?
Schlachter: I will certainly miss the many different people I met at ETH. There is probably no other place where you can work together with people from so many educational backgrounds and cultures to develop solutions.
I will also miss no longer having a reason to eat so much chocolate or taste the different cakes in the office kitchen.
What are your plans for the future?
Schlachter: A while ago I started getting actively involved in associations, playing the piano, meeting friends, and going to the mountains with my husband. I think I'll expand all of that in the future.
Is there any advice you would like to give Karin Werer before you leave?
Schlachter: Stay calm. We live in a very privileged environment and tend to forget that sometimes.
Werer: At times, this certainly requires diplomacy and the ability to compromise from everyone. But I'm looking forward to taking on this challenge together with the team. It is important for me to face future tasks with courage and work together as a team to contribute to the successful management of the department.
Promotion of gender equality
- 2008-onwards Development of STEM workshops for children and young people, including programs for girls only; basis for the establishment of external pagemint & pepper
- 2014 Annual financial subsidy for LIMES
- 2016 Introduction of D-MAVT Code of Conduct, e.g. for more respect
- 2017 Introduction of mentoring program for first-semester female students in cooperation with LIMES (2020 expansion to all first-semester students)
- Positions with responsibility for mothers with reduced working hours
- Regular promotion of advanced training