Educators

Interviews with Industry Leaders & Academic Experts

Our interviewees will help you discover what it is like to work with various companies and universities in Switzerland and abroad. You will also learn about persuasive and effective oral and written communication.

Whether you are a junior professional looking for career inspiration or simply curious about the latest work and research in economics, communications, international relations, education, and related fields, in the section below you will find valuable insights and motivation to explore new research, ideas, and career opportunities.

Prof. Dr. Michael O. Hengartner, President of the ETH Board, interviewed by Dr. Sorina Matthey de l'Endroit for Persuasive Discourse

Science Serving Society: Dr. Michael O. Hengartner on Leading the ETH Domain, the Craft of Teaching & Persuasion

What does it take to lead one of the world's most influential scientific institutions? Prof. Dr. Michael O. Hengartner, President of the ETH Board, reflects on teaching, science policy, persuasion, and the mindset behind leading the ETH Domain.

Sorina I. Crisan, PhD

2 days ago25 min read

The Path to Financial Freedom: Charlene Cong, CFA, on Creating FinFit Solutions, Financial Empowerment and the Success Mindset

What does it take to work at the intersection of finance, journalism, and education while empowering everyday expats and young professionals to invest simply and achieve financial freedom? Charlene H. Cong, CFA, Founder and CEO of FinFit GmbH, has built her career bridging these worlds. After starting in finance and banking journalism, earning the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) certification, and working in asset management at JP Morgan, she left corporate life three years

Sorina I. Crisan, PhD

Apr 1913 min read

Turn Complexity Into Clarity: A Strategic Persuasion Framework for Experts & Innovators

Explaining complex ideas is one of the central challenges facing researchers, founders, and professionals across fields. Whether the task involves describing a scientific breakthrough, a deep-technology innovation, or a novel approach to social problems, clarity is not merely a stylistic choice. It is a strategic advantage. Across years of interviewing experts, conducting doctoral research in persuasive communication, and teaching “Beyond the Lab: Podcasting, Interviewing, an

Sorina I. Crisan, PhD

Nov 28, 20257 min read

Mapping Philanthropy: Dr. Lucia Gomez Teijeiro on Data Transparency, Computational Thinking & AI for Social Good

What does it take to make the hidden world of giving more visible? In this captivating interview, Dr. Lucia Gomez Teijeiro—senior researcher at the University of Geneva and assistant professor at Bern University of Applied Sciences—explains how the Mapping Philanthropy project is transforming our understanding of philanthropy through data transparency and artificial intelligence. Launched in 2019, the initiative uses AI and natural language processing to map active philanthro

Sorina I. Crisan, PhD

Sep 27, 202519 min read

Aligning Principle with Profit: Dr. Dorothée Baumann-Pauly on Business, Human Rights & Ethical Leadership

What is it like to help reshape global business practices to prioritize human rights? In this captivating interview, Dr. Dorothée Baumann-Pauly, Director of the Geneva Center for Business and Human Rights at the University of Geneva and Research Director at NYU Stern’s Center for Business and Human Rights, shares her journey as a passionate educator and advocate for ethical change. Renowned for her pioneering case studies on cobalt mining in the Congo, sustainability-linked l

Sorina I. Crisan, PhD

Aug 21, 202522 min read

Mario Herberz. Interview on behavior, decision making, persuasion, nudge. Interview by Dr. Sorina Crisan Matthey de l’Endroit. Persuasive Discourse

Nudging Smarter Choices: Mario Herberz on Behavioral Science, Sustainable Decision-Making & Persuasion

In a world where our choices shape everything from personal habits to global sustainability, Mario Herberz, PhD, Postdoctoral Researcher and Lecturer at the University of Geneva and Behavioral Science Consultant based in Switzerland, unveils the subtle art of nudging and persuasion in this captivating interview for The Persuasive Discourse’s series “Educators: Academic, Non-Academic & Hybrid.” Through his groundbreaking research on consumer behavior, particularly in promoting

Sorina I. Crisan, PhD

Jul 31, 202513 min read

Global Finance, Swiss Precision: Prof. Cédric Tille’s Lessons from U.S. Federal Reserve, Swiss National Bank & Academia

What does it take to shape global finance and inspire the next generation of economists? In this compelling conversation with Prof. Cédric Tille, a distinguished economist, we explore the remarkable career of someone who has profoundly shaped international economics and education with Swiss precision. Tille, renowned for his insights into Switzerland’s financial system and monetary policy, has masterfully balanced scholarship, policy impact, and teaching innovation. His illus

Sorina I. Crisan, PhD

Jun 17, 202525 min read

Etiquette for the Modern World: William Hanson on building a better future through respect & writing 'Just Good Manners'

What does it take to persuade people to embrace etiquette in their daily lives? In this insightful conversation with William Hanson, a distinguished etiquette expert, author, and Executive Director of The English Manner, we explore the dynamic intersection of respect, modern manners, and persuasion. Hanson, renowned for his ability to bring etiquette into the 21st century, has mastered the art of making civility approachable and relevant in today’s fast-paced world. As Hanson

Sorina I. Crisan, PhD

Feb 3, 202514 min read

How to Manage Harvard Kennedy School: Prof. Joseph S. Nye Jr. Reflects on His Marriage, Overall Career & Writing Craft

What is it like to have a career that spans both academia and government? In this captivating interview with Joseph S. Nye, Jr., a distinguished scholar and former U.S. government official, we explore the multifaceted life of a man who has profoundly influenced the field of international relations. Nye, a University Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus and former Dean of Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, is renowned for creating the concept of 'soft power,' a corner

Sorina I. Crisan, PhD

Aug 29, 202418 min read

The Story Behind #OUR_racism: Interview with Fumi Kurihara about Podcasting & Pursuing a Ph.D.

What does it look like to challenge the conventional narratives surrounding race, discrimination, and societal norms? Fumi Kurihara, the creator and host of the thought-provoking podcast series #OUR_racism, provides a compelling answer. In this in-depth interview, Fumi takes us on a journey through her exploration of racism, spurred by the 2020 Black Lives Matter movement. She discusses the main goals of her podcast—creating a space for diverse voices to share personal encoun

Sorina I. Crisan, PhD

Nov 14, 202320 min read

Tips for Career Reinvention & Leadership Speaking: Interview with Dr. Laura Penn

What does it look like to embark on a journey of career reinvention, master the art of leadership speaking, and advocate for positive change in the world by empowering leaders to enhance their leadership speaking skills? In this illuminating interview with Dr. Laura Penn, the founder of The Leadership Speaking School, we explore four central themes that shape her remarkable story. Dr. Penn's tale of transformation begins with her candid admission, 'I had taken three years off

Sorina I. Crisan, PhD

Oct 10, 202314 min read

Rights Violations, Domestic Conflict, Protest & Comics: Interview with Emily Hencken Ritter, PhD

What does it look like to study and teach the topics of political violence, international human rights law, and war, in the U.S.? And how can you use the power of comics to translate your complex written work into simple drawings and messages to reach and persuade a larger audience? If you are a researcher, academic writer, scientist, or producer of any type of complex written work, and you are looking for ways to positively impact more people with your findings, then Dr. Emi

Sorina I. Crisan, PhD

Nov 18, 202221 min read

Political Violence, Design, Critique & Prevention: Interview with Jonathan Luke Austin, PhD

What does it look like to work in the field of political violence prevention? If you want to learn about how the worlds of policy, practice, and academia come together to address this crucial topic, then the work Dr. Jonathan Luke Austin will not only educate but also inspire you. Dr. Austin is one of my former PhD classmates and an Assistant Professor of International Relations at the University of Copenhagen, in Denmark. This past April, I had the opportunity to have an in-

Sorina I. Crisan, PhD

Oct 18, 202222 min read

Analyzing the Swiss & U.S. Financial, Political & Academic Elites: Interview with Felix Bühlmann

What does it look like to research and analyze the Swiss and U.S. elites? If you are curious to learn about some of the specific characteristics of the financial, political, and academic elites living in Switzerland vs. the U.S., then the work of Felix Bühlmann will greatly intrigue you. Dr. Bühlmann is an Associate Professor of Social and Political Sciences and a Coordinator of the Swiss Elite Observatory (Obelis), at the University of Lausanne, in Switzerland. In this inter

Sorina I. Crisan, PhD

Sep 6, 20228 min read

Insights from Working in Afghanistan & Ukraine: Interview with Cristina Teleki, PhD

What does it look like to be an ICRC female Field Delegate in countries such as: Afghanistan, Ukraine, or Georgia? If you aspire towards a career in the humanitarian field or are curious to learn from the experiences of someone who chooses this honorable, important, and courageous life path, then the work and story of Dr. Cristina Teleki will greatly inspire you. Dr. Teleki is a legal scholar and a humanitarian professional whose academic research and practical work focus on

Sorina I. Crisan, PhD

May 31, 202212 min read

Swiss Education & Hospitality Industry: Interview with Anne-Sophie Delval, PhD

How is Swiss education perceived internationally and why do hospitality schools located in Switzerland choose to capitalize on this perception? In her recently published book, Dr. Anne-Sophie Delval not only answers the aforementioned questions, but also discusses and deconstructs what the concept of ‘international,’ “really means, and what it implies for organizations and individuals.” In this interview, you will be able to learn details about Dr. Delval’s book on the inter

Sorina I. Crisan, PhD

Mar 23, 202212 min read

How to Succeed in Academia: Career Advice for Junior Scholars from 5 Experienced Academics

Review and brief analysis of the academic advice offered to junior scholars by five academics interviewed by Persuasive Discourse.

Sorina I. Crisan, PhD

Mar 3, 20226 min read

Shaping the Practice of School Psychology: Interview with Carol S. Lidz, Psy.D.

“Who really knows us? And, who really knows what we have accomplished in our lives?” These are the questions that Dr. Carol S. Lidz asked herself at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. In search of “meaning” for “the time provided,” in 2020, Dr. Lidz became “increasingly grateful” to have the ability and personal network required to write a book that showcases her and several other female colleagues’ professional experiences within the field of School Psychology. In this

Sorina I. Crisan, PhD

Feb 8, 202212 min read

World Politics & UN Peacebuilding: Interview with Sara Hellmüller, PhD

How does the emerging multipolar world order influence United Nations peacebuilding approaches? If you are an international relations scholar, a peacebuilding practitioner, or someone who wants to learn about current peace research, then Dr. Hellmüller’s work will greatly appeal to you. In this brief interview you will learn about: Dr. Hellmüller’s strategies to coin her research questions, the methodological approach she’s taking to structure and conduct her work, the unexpe

Sorina I. Crisan, PhD

Jan 18, 20226 min read

Human Coding, Machine-Learning Techniques & Discourse Analysis: Interview with David Sylvan, PhD

Are you interested to learn about current research employing both human coding and machine-learning (ML) techniques, within the social sciences? If so, in this short interview, you will be able to read about Dr. David Sylvan’s reasons for undertaking such a methodological approach within his own research and the benefits/dis-benefits of utilizing human coding versus ML techniques to conduct discourse analysis within the field of international relations/political science. Dr.

Sorina I. Crisan, PhD

Dec 16, 20217 min read

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