Swiss Chemical Landmark 2025

The «Chemical Landmarks» program identify and manifest the scientific and technological heritage by awarding sites which have played a significant role in the history of chemistry in Switzerland.

University of Zurich, Rämistrasse 59 in Zürich, formerly housing the Chemistry Department of the University holds unparalleled significance in the history of chemistry, particularly for its pioneering role in advancing the education of women in chemistry and its critical contributions to chemical research during the 19th century. Zürich’s chemistry faculty was home to groundbreaking work that led to numerous important developments in the field, including the training of the first female chemists in Europe. This site was pivotal in shaping the future of chemical education, not only for its contributions to scientific advancement but also for its role in championing gender equality in academia at a time when women were widely excluded from scientific education across Europe.

The University of Zürich's commitment to providing women with opportunities to study and obtain doctorates in chemistry made it a leader in gender inclusivity in the sciences. The first women to achieve a doctorate in chemistry worldwide were awarded their degrees in Zürich. Among these trailblazing women were Lydia Sesemann (Finland), who obtained her doctorate in 1874, and Marie Stamo (Moldova), who followed in 1877. These women, along with Rachel Lloyd (USA), Olga Wohlbrück (Germany), and Natalie Polonowsky (Russia), made significant contributions to the field, and their success in the male-dominated environment of the late 19th century is a testament to the progressive academic culture nurtured at this site.

The event will highlight the historical importance of the site and its scientific contributions with lectures, round tables (13.00-17.00h) and the unveiling of the plaque including an aperitif (17.00-18.30h).

14.00 Symposium 
Moderator: Kathrin Fenner (Eawag & UZH)

A) Opening and welcome 
Jean-Marc Piveteau (SCNAT president)

B) Historical perspective 
- Caspar Hirschi (HSG) title
- Gisela Boeck (Uni Rostock) “The dissertation [...] is certainly one of the best our department has ever seen. It clearly demonstrates the female author's ability to conduct independent research.” (Wilhelm Weith, 1874). About the first female chemists at the University of Zurich
- Edwin Constable (Uni Basel) title

C) Women’s advancement then and now
- Frank Baaijens, (TU Eindhoven)
- Alejandra Palermo (RSC diversity) 
- Elodie Brun (dsm-firmenich): SWC mentoring program

D) current success story
Introduction by Roland Sigel with a ‘status’ of gender balance at UZH today
- Greta Patzke (UZH) Water Splitting for Clean Hydrogen: Strategies and Mechanisms

E) Panel discussion on current/future opportunities
- speakers from C)
- Gabriele Siegert (vice rector education of UZH)

short break, transfer outdoors (or to ‘Lichthof’)

17.00: Official Ceremony of the Swiss Chemical Landmark

F. Laudation
- Christian Bochet, (Uni Fribourg, head of CL jury and president of SCS)
- unveiling of the plaque with very short addresses by 
- Apéro

18.30 Dinner for invited guests at Uniturm

Contact
SCNAT, Platform Chemistry
Laupenstrasse 7, 3008 Bern

Website of the Swiss Chemical Landmarks
chemicallandmarks.ch

Privacy and Data Protection Policy
Link to the SCS Policy
Furthermore, participants agree, that photos of the event can be used for communication activities with relation to the Chemical Landmark event.