Multidisciplinary Center for Infectious Diseases (MCID)

The MCID is a multidisciplinary strategic center at the University of Bern dedicated to the study and mitigation of healthcare, societal, ethical, and economic risks from infectious diseases. The MCID brings together high impact academic researchers with the aim of determining the origins of infectious disease risks, preparing for and managing these risks.

The launch of the MCID has been made possible through a generous donation by the Vinetum Foundation.

EVENTS

Event Report: Film Preview

BLAME: Bats, politics and a planet out of balance

The MCID were thrilled to co-host with the Swiss Biorisk Alliance and the Institute for Infectious Diseases, the preview of Christian Frei’s new film “BLAME”, which explores the origins of the Covid-19 pandemic. The film looks at the world of scientific research and how it can be interpreted by politicians and the media. The film was followed by a panel discussion moderated by PD. Dr. Caroline Schlaufer, with the director Christian Frei, Prof. Dr. Volker Thiel and Dr. rer. nat. Kathrin Summermatter.

April 15, 2026

10:30 − 16:00

Forum Fribourg

NRP79 annual fair

NRP79 3R annual Fair

Join members of the EPL Team at the NRP79 3R fair

May 4, 2026

13:00

Hörsaal Anatomie, Länggasstrasse 120, 3012 Bern

PhD defence: Jonas Steiner

Influenza A viruses circulating in Swiss pig herds and farmers

May 5, 2026

11:00 − 12:00

Hörsaal Paraklinik, Länggassstr. 122.

DIP seminar: Prof Marcus Fulde

Heteroresistance and the Evolutionary Pathways of Antibiotic Resistance

Prof. Marcus Fulde, Institute of Microbiology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover, Germany.

MCID Current and Previous Events

NEWS

The SPREAD

Special issue of The SPREAD now out!

To celebrate the 5th anniversary of the MCID, the management team has put together a special issue of the MCID quarterly newsletter, The SPREAD. We look back at the past five years and look forward to what’s next for the MCID. Please explore this latest issue and peruse past issues.

BEready Newsletter

Latest issue of “BEinformed” from the BEready team is out now!

MCID-funded Research

Congratulations Dr. Jule Ksinsik

The MCID wishes to congratulate Jule on successfully completing her PhD entitled “When Science Becomes a Story. Exploring Expert Narratives in Switzerland’s COVID-19 Policy Debates”.

MCID-funded Research

Congratulations Dr. Céline Honegger

The MCID wishes to congratulate Céline on successfully completing her PhD entitled “Can Consensus Democracies Curb Blame Games? Credit Claiming, Blame Avoidance and Legitimacy in Hard Times.”

RESEARCH

MCID: Hot off the Press

Polarization and health-related behaviors and outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic review

How does political and affective polarisation influence COVID-19 health behaviours and outcomes, and what role does political beliefs play in shaping trust in authorities, vaccination uptake, and mask-wearing? This newly published research elaborates on this question.

MCID: Hot off the Press

'Bern, get ready', BEready, a household based cohort study for pandemic preparedness research in Switzerland: Pilot Study

The ‘Bern, get ready’ (BEready) study aims to establish a prospective ‘pandemic preparedness cohort’ in canton Bern. In preparation for the main data collection, the BEready team have published a pilot study where they evaluate remote data collection methods and sample collection without face-to-face contact, the feasibility of follow up, and the continuity of participation engagement. Findings from this pilot have facilitated refinements to the study design and procedures for the ongoing main cohort study, which aims to recruit 1,500+ households.

MCID-funded Research

Scientists in power plays: How substantive were scientists’ narratives during the COVID-19 pandemic?

We'd like to highlight a recently published article from the EPL describing work done within the context of a MCID-funded project. This paper published in Policy Studies Journal looked at the political role that scientists played during the COVID-19 pandemic and how their narratives, strategies, and media engagement can shape evidence-based policymaking.

MCID-funded Research

Does the Media open the Door to Conspiracy Narratives? Their role in "Debunking"

The University of Bern’s online magazine "UniAktuell" spotlights research from the Institute of Communication and Media Studies (IKMB), funded by the MCID. During the Covid-19 pandemic, IKMB researchers ran a real-time study tracking how conspiracy theories emerge, gain traction, and can be effectively countered by the media. In May, journalists and researchers came together in a joint workshop to turn these insights into practical strategies for stronger crisis communication.

Contact

University of Bern
Multidisciplinary Center for Infectious Diseases

Hallerstrasse 6
3012 Bern

info.mcid@unibe.ch