Junior Lab: Experimenting and Imagining the Future of Switzerland Together

Junior Lab is a collaborative research initiative that invites young people to explore their social environment through creative and innovative methods. The project offers a playful, accessible, and engaging approach to social science research by using a variety of tools such as speech, drawing, photography, and writing.

Led by Prof. Muriel Surdez and Dr. Lucien Delley (Project "The Making of Solidarity" – with Prof. Markus Gmür and Dr. Diana Betzler), as well as Dr. Verena Richardier (Project "How do you speak Swiss?"). Junior Lab follows a scientific, educational, and participatory approach.

 Giving Voice to Young People, Enriching the Social Sciences

Junior Lab enables young people to share their experiences while introducing them to research methods. It fosters creativity, critical thinking, and encourages them to imagine their own visions of the future. By valuing their perspectives, the project contributes to renewing approaches in the social sciences. 

 Bridging Science, Art, and Society

Junior Lab promotes cross-disciplinary dialogue by integrating artistic tools into its process:

• Webtoon: a digital comic strip format, in collaboration with artist Caroline Pictet https://carauphil.myportfolio.com/
• Outdoor theater: in partnership with the company Cécile D. https://ciececiled.ch/

 Editions: "Webtoon Your Neighborhood – Will It Be Sustainable?"

The first edition of the Junior Lab took place on April 14, 2025, in collaboration with Collège St-Michel, as part of the Sustainability Week. Participants were invited to imagine the future of their neighborhood through the Webtoon format, focusing on the theme of sustainability.

The next editions will take place twice in May and on June 12 at the Collège du Sud in Bulle.