Prof. Heinz Gutscher

Social Psychology University Zurich

Heinz Gutscher, born 1947, married, three adult children. Studied Psychology, Sociology and Journalism in Zürich, obtaining a first-class degree (summa cum laude) in 1975. Further educational stays at the Universities of Essex (Colchester, UK) and Ann Arbor, Michigan (USA). In 1990 he qualified as a university lecturer and was appointed to the Chair of Social Psychology at the University of Zürich.

A total of 30 years’ experience in the most widely varying areas of social research: interdisciplinary research projects on issues such as misuse of medicines, self-endangerment, opportunities and threats of the new telecommunications media, as well as basic research in the regulation of attention processes.

Current research fields: environmental and sustainability problems, social influence, perception and communication of risk, acceptance problems of new technologies, social capital, trust.

Member of various scientific organizations from 1997 to 2004. Chair of the Swiss National IHDP Committee (International Human Dimensions Programme on Global Environmental Change), member of the Kuratorium Proclim, member of the executive board and committee of the Swiss Academy of Mental and Social Sciences (SAGW).