W.I.R.E. is an independent think tank that curates the shaping of the future at the interface between science and practice. The foundation for this is a systematic early recognition of relevant developments and their translation into long-term strategies and fields of action for private and public organisations and their decision makers.
As an interdisciplinary platform, W.I.R.E. has distinguished itself since its foundation in 2007 through its comprehensive understanding of the economy and society and uses this knowledge to develop long-term decision-making bases, ideas and new approaches to solutions. The thematic expertise of W.I.R.E. focuses on the wider consequences of the digital transformation and the linking of market and societal innovation in various sectors ranging from health and financial services to real estate and media.
In addition to the analysis and classification of new technologies, business models and social trends, W.I.R.E.'s competence includes a multidimensional information architecture as a basis for tailor-made multimedia publications, event formats, exhibitions and keynotes. In the tradition of alchemy, the think tank develops tangible concepts in the form of "real-life labs" or prototypes for the 21st century. The think tank has an international network of thought leaders and decision makers as well as partnerships with leading companies, universities and designers.
Founder and Head of W.I.R.E.
Dr Stephan Sigrist is an interdisciplinary strategist and founder of the Think Tank W.I.R.E., which systematically analyses new developments, trends and technologies at the interface between science and practice. With his team, he develops forward-looking solutions and advises decision-makers on shaping the future. In 2020, he launched the Future Society Association, which aims to reconnect business and society in order to sustainably curate the upcoming transformation towards a circular economy and data-based business models. He is the author of numerous books and studies, an international keynote speaker and curator of spatial knowledge projects in collaboration with design and art. He was named "Digital Shaper" by the Swiss business magazine Bilanz, a board member of the Swiss Allergy Centre AHA and a member of the innovation council of Innosuisse, the Swiss federal funding agency for science-based innovation. Currently, he is on the board of directors of a start-up for a digital mobility network and on various strategic committees. After studying biochemistry at ETH Zurich and completing a dissertation at the Collegium Helveticum, he worked in medical research at Roche, as a management consultant at Roland Berger and at the Gottlieb Duttweiler Institute. He grew up in central Switzerland, has lived in London and is today based in Zurich.
Photos of Stephan Sigrist available for download:
Senior Research & Editor / Co-founder of W.I.R.E.
Simone Achermann looks at developments and trends in society, business and cultural sciences. She is the author and editor of a variety of publications, including the ABSTRAKT book series, “Mind the Future – compendium for contemporary trends” and the Suhrkamp series “What counts”. Before taking up her role at W.I.R.E. she worked for several years as a communications consultant, focusing on the area of corporate social responsibility and writing texts and speeches for top managers in business and social fields. Simone Achermann studied cultural sciences at the University College London (UCL).
Senior Project Manager
The work of philosopher and physicist Stefan Pabst at W.I.R.E. centres around social and cultural transformations caused by technological progress as well as innovation management in the context of shifts in social values. As Senior Project Manager he identifies important long term developments across all industries. He designs and leads interdisciplinary workshops for W.I.R.E. and also works as a freelance copywriter focusing on art and product design. He was previously employed as the manager of an innovation network for the HPI School of Design Thinking and acted as a freelance innovation consultant. He holds a Master’s degree in philosophy and physics from the University of Potsdam.
Senior Advisor
Thomas Morf supports the W.I.R.E. Team as a Senior Advisor in our endeavor to reduce non communicable diseases (NCDs). For this, he draws from his long-standing, global experience in FMCG and his profound knowledge in the food and beverage industry as well as his passion for sustainable progress in our society. He has a visionary and strategic approach and a deep conviction that the future requires new, holistic approaches to achieve not only longevity but a life that is worth living for longer. In the service of this transformation, he ensures a vital link to the corporate and economic reality for the W.I.R.E. Team. In his more than 20 years Global working experience, Thomas has worked for P&G, Danone and Emmi and has held leading positions in marketing as well as general management. He holds an MBA of the University of St.Gallen.
Senior Project Manager
Riccardo Merluzzi supports organisations in long-term strategic planning through early identification and translation of strategically relevant developments and trends at the interface of business, science and society. He brings interdisciplinary expertise with over 4 years of cross-sectoral consulting experience. In addition to strategic and innovation development, he is responsible for multi-stakeholder projects with a focus on the healthcare system.
Isabel Hoffet is a project manager at W.I.R.E. She analyses the impact of trends and technologies on business, science and society as part of strategic projects. After completing her Bachelor's degree in International Affairs at the University of St. Gallen, specialising in sustainability, she implemented digital innovations for the pharmaceutical company Roche Diagnostics. She then completed a Master of Science in Business Analytics at the Nova School of Business and Economics in Lisbon and used predictive modelling in her Master's thesis to investigate the impact of increasing programming skills among the European population on economic growth and resilience.
[Web for Interdisciplinary Research & Expertise]
Think Tank for Business, Science & Society
Hallwylstrasse 22 | CH-8004 Zurich
+41 43 243 90 56 | info@thewire.ch | www.thewire.ch
