On 1 June 2025, Louis Moser joined the DIZH Public Data Lab (PDL). As part of his doctoral research, he will develop an index of multiple deprivation for the Canton of Zurich. This index is one of four flagship projects at the PDL.
Louis Moser began his PhD on 1 June 2025 in the Geocomputation group in the Department of Geography at the University of Zurich (UZH). For the DIZH Public Data Lab, he will be developing an index of multiple deprivation. “I’m looking forward to really immersing myself in a topic again,” says Louis.
A passion for geographic data
Louis studied Economics at UZH and completed his Master’s degree there. “During my studies, I engaged deeply with social issues and therefore focused on political economy and development economics,” he explains. In his Master’s thesis, he encountered spatial data and discovered how much he enjoyed working with it. He then spent two years at the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), working in regional development. “I was involved in a mandate that supports the Swiss economy in large infrastructure projects abroad.”
«I wanted to work more analytically, incorporate spatial data, and address socially relevant questions from a scientific perspective.»
Louis Moser
From developing to applying an indicator
Louis chose to pursue a PhD for several reasons: “I wanted to work more analytically, incorporate spatial data, and address socially relevant questions from a scientific perspective.” To develop the indicator, he will work with data on income, education, health, employment, living environment, and more – and determine how each should be weighted. “The biggest challenge is bringing all this data together without violating privacy or data protection,” he notes. He is collaborating with the Cantonal Statistical Office Zurich and examining how other countries have built their indices of multiple deprivation. His dissertation also involves identifying a suitable, small-scale spatial unit for the indicator: “On one hand, I’ll calculate the indicator using a grid-based raster and determine the resolution of the grid cells. On the other hand, I’ll calculate it per statistical zone or neighbourhood to reflect current administrative boundaries.” Finally, Louis will apply the indicator he developed to one or two case studies addressing specific research questions.
Example of an index of multiple deprivation in the UK (source: Geographic Data Service (GeoDS.ac.uk), a Smart Data Research UK Investment: ES/Z504464/1.)
Louis Moser completed a Master's degree in Economics at UZH. After his studies, he spent two years working in Location Promotion at the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO). Since June 2025, he has been a doctoral researcher in the Geocomputation group in the Department of Geography at UZH. In his free time, Louis enjoys photography, reads widely – especially about other countries and cultures – and goes jogging.