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From 20 to 31 January 2025, the University of Zurich (UZH) hosted the winter school "Law and Technology - A Cross-Continental Perspective" in collaboration with the University of New South Wales (UNSW). This program united students from both institutions for an immersive academic and cultural experience.
The winter school was mainly taught by Prof. Kayleen Manwaring (UNSW) and Prof. Florent Thouvenin (UZH) and examined the intricate relationship between law and information technology. Key topics included the regulation of artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data protection, and intellectual property rights. During these two weeks, students developed creative legal thinking to address the challenges posed by technological advancements.
Highlights of the course were excursions to the Federal Patent Court in St. Gallen and Google in Zurich, which provided practical insights into pressing legal issues and current developments. This collaborative learning environment was enriched by small group discussions and class-based analyses with perspectives drawn from Europe, Australia, Switzerland, the U.S. and other selected jurisdictions.
Moreover, social activities included guided tours in Zurich and St. Gallen as well as an informal Apéro at UZH that fostered cultural exchange and new friendships among the participants. Consequently, students also self-organized lunches and skiing trips on the weekend. This shows that in addition to teaching, participants from UNSW and UZH had an intensive exchange and enjoyed getting to know each other’s cultures, both in terms of legal issues and in terms of social life.
Looking ahead, those who missed this year's opportunity can apply for a similar winter school in January 2026 in Sydney. This initiative has been led by Florent Thouvenin in collaboration with his counterparts at UNSW for several years, with the Winter School first held in Zurich in January 2017. The long-standing partnership between UZH and UNSW, both members of the U21 network, continues to foster international educational initiatives. Through this partnership, students are equipped with the skills and perspectives needed to address global challenges, particularly in the fields of law and technology.
Thurka Sinnathurai
