Photos: Guillaume Musset, ZHdK

Over 100 people joined us on 23 October 2025 to celebrate the launch of the DIZH Public Data Lab (PDL). Under the theme “How do we take the pulse of the Canton of Zurich?”, the evening featured a speech by Government Councillor Jacqueline Fehr, a panel discussion with members of the PDL, and a sound performance exploring unpredictable data. Journalist and presenter Bigna Silberschmidt guided the audience through the evening.

At 6 p.m., Karin Mairitsch, Rector of the Zurich University of the Arts, opened the launch event at the Toni-Areal. She welcomed all attendees, with special mention of Government Councillor Jacqueline Fehr, who, as Head of the Department of Justice and Home Affairs, is responsible for the Statistical Office of the Canton of Zurich. In her speech, Jacqueline Fehr emphasised the need for collaborations like the DIZH Public Data Lab: “Societal change is complex and cannot be understood from a single perspective.” According to Fehr, such collaborations foster new perspectives, new knowledge, and new trust. What makes the Public Data Lab particularly special, she said, is “that partners come together who could hardly be more different.” And that, she added, is precisely what makes it exciting. She also highlighted the importance of public statistics and their credibility. Maintaining this credibility, Fehr argued, requires resources, transparency, and dialogue: “If statistics are to remain relevant, they must open up and continue to innovate.” This, she concluded, is exactly where the PDL comes in.

Open to collaboration

Karin Mairitsch then handed over to journalist and presenter Bigna Silberschmidt, who guided the audience through the event. Bigna recalled her time at university and expressed regret that master’s theses far too often gather dust in libraries, without the knowledge gained ever being put to use. She noted that the PDL takes a different approach, involving civil society from the very beginning. She then passed the floor to Ross Purves, Professor of Geocomputation at the University of Zurich (UZH) and initiator of the PDL. In his speech, Ross explained why the PDL is needed and clarified the distinction between indicators and data: “Indicators are data collected for a specific purpose and provide information. They are used to measure success, but also failure, and can help to develop, discuss, and potentially adapt measures in an informed way.” Ross went on to say that the PDL aims to go further—for example, by gathering critical voices from citizens to identify where indicators may only reflect reality in a fragmented way. He also emphasised that everyone is welcome to participate in the PDL and that the project is open to collaboration.

Social Wellbeing of the Canton

Following Ross Purves’ speech, Bigna Silberschmidt invited the panel participants to the stage: Andrea Schnell, Co-Head of the Statistical Office of the Canton of Zurich, Karin Schwiter, Professor of Labour Geography at the Department of Geography at UZH, Marcel Bleuler, Head of the Institute for Contemporary Art Research at the Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK), and Ralph Straumann, Head of Data Science at EBP, and member of the PDL advisory board. Bigna Silberschmidt asked Andrea Schnell how well the Canton of Zurich is currently doing. “It’s doing well—at least that’s what we can say about the part of the canton that is visible in public statistics. But that’s precisely the challenge,” Andrea replied, adding: “There are many areas where data gaps exist, and we aim to address these gaps through the PDL—in a variety of ways.”

Filling the data gaps – but not only with data

Karin Schwiter conducts research on such data gaps – specifically, people who are not captured by official statistics. Bigna Silberschmidt asks Karin for an example of why individuals are left out of labour market statistics. “These include people who secure cleaning jobs in private households via digital apps. Or someone who comes from Poland to Switzerland for two weeks to three months to care for elderly people,” Karin explains. Not appearing in the statistics also means that the needs of these individuals are not recognised, she adds. “Where might art come into play here?” Bigna Silberschmidt asks Marcel Bleuler. “In art, too, researchers generate social knowledge, and we also work qualitatively – but beyond the methodology of science,” Marcel explains, citing the example of Verity-Jane Keefe, who spends time with people in deindustrialised areas of the UK and explores spaces for action with them. “This leads to very diverse outputs, such as soap operas or radio stations, which don’t clearly materialise as data, but instead offer a different perspective on social contexts,” Marcel elaborates.

Open Data Still Not Standard Practice

“Data doesn’t only emerge in scientific contexts, but also in societal ones,” said Bigna Silberschmidt, and asked Ralph Straumann for an example of the latter. “Data is also collected by gig economy platforms, such as Airbnb, food delivery services or cleaning jobs – or by sports tracking apps,” Ralph explained. These data are not always publicly accessible, he noted, and explained why that’s problematic: “Take the number of cyclists in the Canton of Zurich. The canton has around 20 counting stations, and the city of Zurich has another 20. These are the data officially available to cycling traffic planners.” From a study he conducted himself, Ralph knows that sports tracking apps provide far more detailed and granular data on cycling in the canton. “Strava is a good example, because the tracking platform makes data available for public use,” he said. But that’s not always the case, he emphasised. In other cases, regulation is necessary. Andrea added that the PDL aims to make its data and code publicly accessible – without violating data protection.

A Sonic Gift to Conclude

The sound performance by artist and computer scientist Valentina Vuksic at the close of the launch event was an example of how data can be expressed and experienced on an emotional level. To achieve this, Valentina transformed digital data processing operations into audible experiences by capturing the electromagnetic emissions – or “electrosmog” – they produce.

The artist and computer scientist Valentina Vuksic transforms the electromagnetic emissions generated by data processing operations into sound.

Afterwards, everyone gathered at Bistro Tonino to toast the launch and enjoy the Italian nibbles.

Thank you!
We would like to thank everyone who contributed in any way to the success of this evening. A heartfelt thank-you also goes to the ZHdK technical team, who supported us with lighting and sound, and to the Tonino crew, who spoiled us with delicious nibbles!