From October 7–21, 2023, Prof. Dr. Michael Döring, Head of the Ecohydrology research group at Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) in Switzerland, visited Japan as part of the ZHAW-Swissnex Staff Mobility Program. During two weeks in Japan, he engaged with leading scientists research groups and other representatives on freshwater ecology and restoration and research &development in Switzerland and Japan in general. Building on this experience, he recently returned in the context of the Converging Waters exhibition at Swissnex in Japan, further strengthening Swiss–Japanese ties and giving us the opportunity to reflect with him on his earlier stay. 

Prof. Dr. Michael Döring is Head of the Ecohydrology Research Group and Professor at the Institute of Natural Resource Sciences (IUNR), Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW). His research focuses on assessing, evaluating, and predicting the consequences of human activities and restoration efforts on rivers and floodplains at the landscape scale. Bridging research and practice, his projects combine ecology, hydrology, and spatial analysis, applying ecological in situ measurements, remote sensing, hydraulic modeling, and GIS-based techniques. He leads initiatives on sustainable river management, hydropower impacts, artificial flood releases, and biodiversity-driven restoration.

What motivated you to participate in the ZHAW-Swissnex Staff Mobility Program in Japan?
I joined the program to strengthen international collaborations in ecohydrology and river restoration. With both Japan and Switzerland having long-standing traditions in freshwater management, it felt like the perfect match! 

On a personal level, it allowed me to reconnect with colleagues from the early stages of my career, such as Dr. Nakamura (Public Works Research Institute) and Prof. Dr. Yoshimura (Institute of Science Tokyo), while also meeting new researchers to learn from their approaches and share Swiss perspectives and expertise. The sabbatical was not only an opportunity to expand my professional network and bring fresh ideas back home but also a chance to experience Japan’s rich culture, traditions, landscapes, and everyday life.

During your sabbatical in Japan, what were some of the key events, projects, or collaborations you took part in?
One of the highlights was definitely the Symposium on River Restoration in Switzerland and Japan, organized by Prof. Dr. Yoshimura (Institute of Science Tokyo). I had the opportunity to participate as a speaker, sharing insights on river restoration from a Swiss perspective.

The symposium brought together around 40 participants and featured a wide range of topics, including general river restoration, streambed morphology, 3D river modeling, and ecosystem services in Japan. Beyond the symposium, I had the occasion to meet with researchers such as Prof. Dr. Yasuhiro Takemon (Kyoto University), Mori Terutaka and Kono Takanori (Aqua Restoration Research Center), as well as Michael Vogelsanger (Swiss Business Hub Japan) and Dr. Felix Moesner (Swissnex in Japan). Our discussions covered river ecology, restoration practices, and experimental flume studies, as well as research and development opportunities between Japan and Switzerland. I also joined an excursion to the Kizu River, which offered a great opportunity to observe restoration efforts in the field.

How did this experience contribute to your research and professional development?
This stay provided invaluable new perspectives, deepening my understanding both scientifically and personally. I came back with a better understanding of how Japan approaches river restoration, including ecosystem service assessments, the use of advanced visualization and modeling tools. I’ve integrated this knowledge into my research and teaching agenda and into new research proposals. 

Two years later, what concrete impacts have you observed?
Looking back, this sabbatical expanded my international network and gave me visibility in Japan’s research community. ZHAW and my group benefited from this knowledge and visibility by incorporating some of the Japanese approaches into our projects and by developing new proposals together with Japanese colleagues, for example under the SERI (State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation) funding scheme. For the Japanese partners, it offered an opportunity to gain insights into Swiss approaches to restoration and hydropower management and to consider potential future collaborations and teaching exchanges

How did your earlier sabbatical shape your recent visit for the Converging Waters Conference at EXPO 2025 Kansai?
I can say without a doubt that my sabbatical in Japan truly paved the way. When I returned for the Converging Waters Conference at EXPO 2025, I already had a solid network, not only with researchers in my field but also with Swissnex in Japan. Having that foundation, along with some cultural familiarity and ongoing conversations, made it much easier to reconnect, exchange ideas, and further strengthen the collaborations we had initiated earlier.

Would you recommend the program to others?
Absolutely! The program gave me access to people and projects I would never have connected with otherwise. The support from Swissnex in Japan was invaluable, and the experience continues to benefit both our research and my professional network. For anyone seeking a mix of scientific insight and rich cultural experiences, I can wholeheartedly recommend this ZHAW-Swissnex Staff Mobility Program. A special thanks goes to Minami Kotani, in charge of Academic Relations at Swissnex in Japan, for her unwavering support throughout my stay.