A Refined Mission for a Changing World
A Refined Mission for a Changing World
The Centre's renewed mission reflects both the scale of today's sustainability challenges and its role as a leading research and policy hub dedicated to advancing integrated sustainability that is both nature-positive and socially equitable.
OUR MISSION
The Hoffmann Centre for Global sustainability addressed challenges of climate change, nature loss, global governance upheaval, and the breakdown of rules and trust. We do this by supporting cutting-edge scholarship, connecting it to decision-makers, and convening trusted spaces where academics, policymakers, and practitioners can jointly address today’s most pressing sustainability challenges. By acting as a hub within the Léman ecosystem and beyond, the Centre amplifies ideas, builds trust, and helps shape solutions with real-world relevance. By bringing together these elements we act as a multiplier of ideas and impact through strategic partnerships and global outreach.
The Hoffmann Centre's revised strategic pillars focus on leveraging cutting-edge research through partnerships, strengthening policy relevance, serving as a hub for the Léman sustainability ecosystem, and expanding global outreach and visibility.
A Track-Based Structure for Expanded Ambition
The Hoffmann Centre has reached a scale and visibility that go beyond its original design. Activities now span multiple research domains, policy communities, and global platforms. To sustain momentum while ensuring focus and accountability, the Centre will move to a streamlined, track-based structure that aligns leadership, resources, and delivery.
At the core of the new structure are Hoffmann Centre Tracks. Each Track serves as a platform that brings together internal faculty, external research networks, policymakers, and practitioners to develop a coherent agenda at the intersection of research excellence and policy relevance.
The five tracks are:
- Climate and Nature
- Trade and Sustainability
- Peace and Conflict
- Governance and Institutions
- History of Rules
Each Track will contribute to the Hoffmann Centre Flagship Conference, organise public lectures, participate in the Hoffmann Advanced Research Seminar Series, support new research collaborations, and engage leading scholars and practitioners through the Hoffmann Centre Fellows Programme.
Leadership for the Next Phase
The new structure is accompanied by a strengthened leadership framework designed to support the Centre's growing activities, partnerships, and international profile.
As Director, Beatrice Weder di Mauro will provide strategic direction, external representation, and overall academic leadership of the Centre. Ioana Popp, appointed Managing Director in November 2024, will oversee operations, staffing, project coordination, event delivery, fundraising, donor relations, and strategic partnerships.
Track leadership will be provided by Beatrice Weder di Mauro (Climate and Nature), Julia Cajal (Trade and Sustainability), Dominic Rohner (Peace and Conflict), Liliana Andonova (Governance and Institutions), and Rui Esteves (History of Rules).
Together, this leadership structure is designed to align research excellence, policy engagement, convening, and global outreach, ensuring the Centre is well positioned to deliver lasting impact in its next phase of growth.
Learn more about the Centre's mission, strategic priorities, and leadership structure in the full 2025 Annual Report and on the Hoffmann Centre website.
