International Center for Ethics in the Sciences and Humanities (IZEW)

Dr. Benjamin Scharte

Security Ethics

Dr. Benjamin Scharte is a research associate in IZEW's research area Security Ethics. Previously, he was head of the Risk & Resilience team at the Center for Security Studies at ETH Zürich and a research associate in Strategic Management at Fraunhofer EMI. He received his PhD on resilience as an answer to the complexity question from the University of Freiburg in 2020.

Areas of Expertise

  • (Systemic) Resilience
  • Civil Protection
  • Critical Infrastructure Protection
  • Complexity and Uncertainty
  • Systemic Risk

Career

Since 2023          Research Associate at the International Center for Ethics in the Sciences and Humanities (IZEW), University of Tübingen

2022                    Paternity Leave

2020 - 2022        Team Head Risk & Resilience, Center for Security Studies (CSS), ETH Zürich

2017 - 2020        Doctor of Philosophy (Dr. Phil) in Political Science, University of Freiburg, Thesis Title: “Resilience Engineering – Oder von der Kunst, in der zivilen Sicherheitsforschung mit Komplexität umzugehen” (magna cum laude)

2019                    Senior Researcher Risk & Resilience, Center for Security Studies (CSS), ETH Zürich

2015 - 2019         Managing Director, Sustainability Center Freiburg

2014                    Project Management Certificate, University of Hagen

2012 - 2019        Research Associate in Strategic Management, Fraunhofer Institute for High-Speed Dynamics, Ernst-Mach-Institut (EMI)

2007 – 2010       Scholarship Studienstiftung des Deutschen Volkes (German Academic Scholarship Foundation)

2006 - 2011        Magister Artium (M.A.) in Political Science, Communication Studies, and Economics, University of Mainz

Publications

Books
  • Scharte, Benjamin (2021): Resilience Engineering – Oder von der Kunst, in der zivilen Sicherheitsforschung mit Komplexität umzugehen. Sicherheit und Gesellschaft. Freiburger Studien des Centre for Security and Society 14. Baden-​Baden: Nomos. https://doi.org/10.5771/9783748924227
Peer-Reviewed
  • Scharte, Benjamin (2024): Discussing Trust and Resilience: The Need for a Healthy Dose of Distrust. In: Risk, Hazards, & Crisis in Public Policy. https://doi.org/10.1002/rhc3.12287
  • Dunn Cavelty, Myriam / Eriksen, Christine / Scharte, Benjamin (2023): Making Cyber Security More Resilient: Adding Social Considerations to Technological Fixes. In: Journal of Risk Research, 6:7, 801-814. https://doi.org/10.1080/13669877.2023.220814
  • Scharte, Benjamin (2023): Resilience Misunderstood? Commenting on Germany’s National Security Strategy. In: European Journal for Security Research. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41125-023-00095-1
  • Häring, Ivo / Schäfer, Johannes / Vogelbacher, Georg / Fischer, Kai / Riedel, Wolfgang / Faist, Katja / Finger, Jörg / Fehling-Kaschek, Mirjam / Scharte, Benjamin / Ross, Katharina / Restayn, Elena-Maria / Stolz, Alexander / Leismann, Tobias / Hiermaier, Stefan (2021): From event to performance function-based resilience analysis and improvement processes for more sustainable systems. In: International Journal of Sustainable Materials and Structural Systems, 5:1-2, 90-120. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJSMSS.2021.115784
  • Hiermaier, Stefan / Scharte, Benjamin / Fischer, Kai (2019): Resilience Engineering - Chances and Challenges for a Comprehensive Concept. In: Gößling-Reisemann, Stefan/Ruth, Matthias (Ed.): Handbook on Resilience of Socio-technical Systems, 155-166. https://doi.org/10.4337/9781786439376.00015
  • Hiermaier, Stefan / Scharte, Benjamin (2018): Ausfallsichere Systeme. In: Neugebauer, Reimund (Ed.): Digitalisierung. Heidelberg: Springer Vieweg, 295-310. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-55890-4_17
  • Scharte, Benjamin / Thoma, Klaus (2016): Resilienz – Ingenieurwissenschaftliche Perspektive. In: Wink, Rüdiger (Ed.): Multidisziplinäre Perspektiven der Resilienzforschung (Studien zur Resilienzforschung). Wiesbaden: Springer, 123-150. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-658-09623-6_6
  • Thoma, Klaus / Scharte, Benjamin / Hiller, Daniel / Leismann, Tobias (2016): Resilience Engineering as Part of Security Research: Definitions, Concepts and Science Approaches. In: European Journal for Security Research, 1:1, 3-19. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41125-016-0002-4
  • Linkov, Igor / Bridges, Todd / Creutzig, Felix / Decker, Jennifer / Fox-Lent, Cate / Kröger, Wolfgang / Lambert, James H. / Levermann, Anders / Montreuil, Benoit / Nathwani, Jatin / Nyer, Raymond / Renn, Ortwin / Scharte, Benjamin / Scheffler, Alexander / Schreurs, Miranda / Thiel-Clemen, Thomas (2014): Changing the resilience paradigm. In: Nature Climate Change, 4:6, 407-409. https://doi.org/10.1038/nclimate2227
Publications of the Center for Security Studies (CSS), ETH Zürich
  • Hauri, Andrin / Kohler, Kevin / Scharte, Benjamin (2022): A Comparative Assessment of Mobile Device-Based Multi-Hazard Warnings: Saving Lives through Public Alerts in Europe. Risk and Resilience Report. Center for Security Studies (CSS), ETH Zürich. https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-b-000533908
  • Scharte, Benjamin (2021): COVID-19: Germany Rethinks Civil Protection. CSS Analyses in Security Policy, No. 287. Center for Security Studies (CSS), ETH Zürich. https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-b-000490554
  • Scharte, Benjamin (2021): Auswirkungen gesellschaftlicher Spaltung auf den Bevölkerungsschutz. In: Thränert, Oliver (Ed.): Sicherheitspolitische Trends 2022–2030: Grossmächtekonflikt und Technologiewettbewerb. Center for Security Studies (CSS), ETH Zürich, 28-30. doi.org/10.3929/ethz-b-000517050
  • Eriksen, Christine / Hauri, Andrin / Thiel, Jan / Scharte, Benjamin (2021): An Evaluation of Switzerland becoming a Participating State of the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism. Risk and Resilience Report. Center for Security Studies (CSS), ETH Zürich. https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-b-000482836
  • Mende, Lisa / Scharte, Benjamin / Wiese, Lorenz / Lenz, Alexa / Roth, Florian / Seibel, Wolfgang / Eckhard, Steffen (2021): Flexibel durch die Krise: Handlungsempfehlungen für die lokale Verwaltung. Center for Security Studies (CSS), ETH Zürich. https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-b-000483800
  • Mende, Lisa / Scharte, Benjamin / Wiese, Lorenz / Lenz, Alexa / Roth, Florian / Seibel, Wolfgang / Eckhard, Steffen (2021): Freiwillige in der Krise erfolgreich (er) einbinden: Handlungsempfehlungen für die lokale Verwaltung. Center for Security Studies (CSS), ETH Zürich. https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-b-000483520
  • Hauri, Andrin / Kohler, Kevin / Roth, Florian / Käser, Marco / Prior, Tim / Scharte, Benjamin (2020): Trend Analysis Civil Protection 2030. Uncertainties, Challenges and Opportunities. Risk and Resilience Report. Center for Security Studies (CSS), ETH Zürich. https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-b-000455250
  • Hauri, Andrin / Kohler, Kevin / Scharte, Benjamin / Wenger, Andreas (2020): Pandemievorbereitung in der Schweiz: Krisenvorsorge als laufender Lernprozess. In: Thränert, Oliver / Zogg, Benno (Ed.): Bulletin 2020 zur schweizerischen Sicherheitspolitik. Center for Security Studies (CSS), ETH Zürich, 47-80. https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-b-000458198
  • Kohler, Kevin / Hauri, Andrin / Roth, Florian / Prior, Tim / Scharte, Benjamin (2020): Monitoring and Reporting under the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. Risk and Resilience Report. Center for Security Studies (CSS), ETH Zürich. https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-b-000446700
  • Kohler, Kevin / Hauri, Andrin / Roth, Florian / Scharte, Benjamin (2020): Measuring Individual Disaster Preparedness. Risk and Resilience Report. Center for Security Studies (CSS), ETH Zürich. https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-b-000441285
  • Kohler, Kevin / Hauri, Andrin / Scharte, Benjamin / Thiel, Jan / Wenger, Andreas (2020): Chronologie des nationalen und internationalen Krisenmanagements in der ersten Phase der Coronavirus-Pandemie. In: Thränert, Oliver / Zogg, Benno (Ed.): Bulletin 2020 zur schweizerischen Sicherheitspolitik. Center for Security Studies (CSS), ETH Zürich, 81-94. https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-b-000458197
  • Kohler, Kevin / Scharte, Benjamin (2020): Integrating AI into Civil Protection. CSS Analyses in Security Policy, No. 260. Center for Security Studies (CSS), ETH Zürich. https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-b-000408269
  • Wenger, Andreas / Hauri, Andrin / Kohler, Kevin / Scharte, Benjamin / Thiel, Jan (2020): Schweizer Krisenmanagement: Die Coronavirus-Pandemie als fachliche und politische Lernchance. In: Thränert, Oliver / Zogg, Benno (Ed.): Bulletin 2020 zur schweizerischen Sicherheitspolitik. Center for Security Studies (CSS), ETH Zürich, 95-148. https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-b-000458202
  • Scharte, Benjamin (2019): Educating Engineers for Resilience. CSS Policy Perspectives. Center for Security Studies (CSS), ETH Zürich. https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-b-000377063
Other Publications
  • Häring, Ivo / Scharte, Benjamin / Hiermaier, Stefan (2016): Towards a novel and applicable approach for Resilience Engineering. In: Proceedings of the 6th International Disaster and Risk Conference, 272-276.
  • Häring, Ivo / Scharte, Benjamin / Stolz, Alexander / Leismann, Tobias / Hiermaier, Stefan (2016): Resilience Engineering and quantification for sustainable systems development and assessment: Socio-technical systems and critical infrastructure. In: IRGC (2016): Resource Guide on Resilience. Lausanne: EPFL International Risk Governance Center. v29-07-2016.
  • Thoma, Klaus / Scharte, Benjamin (2015): Building a resilient society. In: per Concordiam, 6:1, 30-35.
  • Scharte, Benjamin / Hiller, Daniel / Leismann, Tobias / Thoma, Klaus (2014): Introduction. In: Thoma, Klaus (Ed.): Resilien Tech. Resilience by Design: a strategy for the technology issues of the future (acatech study). Munich: Herbert Utz Verlag, 9-17.
  • Scharte, Benjamin / Hiller, Daniel / Leismann, Tobias / Thoma, Klaus (2014): Resilience. International Perspectives. In: Thoma, Klaus (Ed.): Resilien Tech. Resilience by Design: a strategy for the technology issues of the future (acatech study). Munich: Herbert Utz Verlag, 51-91.
  • Scharte, Benjamin / Hiller, Daniel / Leismann, Tobias / Thoma, Klaus (2014): Summary. In: Thoma, Klaus (Ed.): Resilien Tech. Resilience by Design: a strategy for the technology issues of the future (acatech study). Munich: Herbert Utz Verlag, 117-125.
  • Scharte, Benjamin / Hiller, Daniel / Leismann, Tobias / Thoma, Klaus (2014): Resilien-Tech: Recommendations for bringing resilience into practice. In: Thoma, Klaus/Leismann, Tobias/Häring, Ivo (Ed.): Future Security 2014. Proceedings. Fraunhofer Verlag, 188-195.
  • Thoma, Klaus / Scharte, Benjamin / Hiller, Daniel / Leismann, Tobias (2014): Resiliente Infrastrukturen. In Weinert, Klaus/Thoma, Klaus et al. (Ed.): Stadt der Zukunft – Strategieelemente einer nachhaltigen Stadtentwicklung (acatech MATERIALIEN), 87-96.
Blogs
  • Scharte, Benjamin (2023): Vom Wandern zwischen den Welten. Die Bereitschaft zur Verunsicherung als interdisziplinäre Klammer in der Sicherheitsforschung. Blog BedenkZeiten. Universität Tübingen. https://uni-tuebingen.de/de/257429
  • Scharte, Benjamin (2023): Wehrhaft. Resilient? Nachhaltig. Die Nationale Sicherheitsstrategie aus Sicht der Resilienzforschung. Blog BedenkZeiten. https://uni-tuebingen.de/de/251159
  • Kohler, Kevin / Hauri, Andrin / Scharte, Benjamin (2021): Cell Broadcast: Sinnvolle Ergänzung zur Alarmierung der Bevölkerung. CSS Blog.
  • Scharte, Benjamin (2020): Distancing, But Not Socially. CSS Blog.
  • Scharte, Benjamin (2020): Die Schweiz hat mit einer anderen Pandemie gerechnet, aber flexibel geplant. CSS Blog.
  • Scharte, Benjamin (2020): Richtig besser wissen - Lehren aus der Corona-​Krise. CSS Blog.

Professional Services and Memberships

2021 - 2022       Union Civil Protection Knowledge Network Community of Practice Core Group of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG ECHO)

2021 - 2022        Ethical Advisory Board, SAFETY4RAILS, Horizon 2020 Innovation Project

2020 - 2022        Academic Board, Counter Terrorism Preparedness Network (CTPN)

2020 - 2022        Swiss National Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group

2015 - 2016        Ad Hoc Task Force ‘Risk and Resilience’, ‘Energy Systems of the Future’, Initiative of the German Academies of Sciences

2015                   Task Force ‘Research and Development’, Project ‘New autoMobility’, by Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure, and National Academy of Science and Engineering, acatech

2013 - 2015        Task Force 2 ‘Climate-adapted, Resilient and Adaptable City’ of the National Platform ‘City of the Future’, initiated by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research

2014                    Steering Committee of the Initiative ‘City of the Future’, National Academy of Science   and Engineering, acatech

Talks

„It's complexity, stupid. Warum es so schwer ist, die Bevölkerung vor Gefahren zu warnen“, Aachen, Guest Lecture as part of the series „Multi Hazards – Interdisziplinäre Perspektiven auf den Umgang mit Krisen“ at RWTH Aachen, November 28, 2023.

"COVID-19: Krisenmanagement der Schweiz ", Konolfingen BE, Annual Meeting of the Federal Commission for NBC Protection KomABC, together with Kevin Kohler, July 1, 2021.

"Trends für den Bevölkerungsschutz 2030“, Bern, Strategy Workshop of the Executive Board of the Federal Office for Civil Protection (FOCP), with Prof. Dr. Andreas Wenger, May 12, 2021.

"Cyberspace - rather a socio-technical than a cyber-physical system?", online, panel moderation for "Critical Infrastructures Protection Course - Module 2 - From Risk Assessment to Resilience", European Security and Defence College, February 23, 2021.

"Resilience - Navigating complexity in a world characterized by uncertainty", online, recorded presentation for "Emerging Technologies Transforming Critical Infrastructure Protection" course, European Security and Defence College, October 8-10, 2020.

"Resilience as an Answer to the Complexity Question", online, keynote address at the 6th FSS Security Talk "Resilience as a Key Capability", September 10, 2020.

"Resilience – On Successfully Dealing with Complexity", online, guest lecture at SFB 805 Mastering Uncertainty in Load-Bearing Mechanical Engineering Systems, TU Darmstadt, June 5, 2020.

"Resilience – Why social distancing can be fatal", online, Resilience Lunch of the Stiftung Risiko-Dialog, May 26, 2020.

„Center for Security Studies (CSS) @ ETH Zürich“, Brüssel, NATO-Swiss Talks, together with Dr. Henrik Larsen, December 9, 2019.

 "Resilience through technology? The Complexity Question – Why it is important to understand critical infrastructure as socio-technical systems", Zurich, ETHEvening Talk, Center for Security Studies, ETH Zürich, December 11, 2019.

"Talking about risks - What the Swiss population knows and what they want to know", Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler, Congress: Spontaneous responders organized through social media and civil protection/civil defense and the law. Are there optimal links to proven structures?, October 1, 2019.

"Resilience Engineering - from concept to application: the ‘Freiburg School’ of resilience research", Zurich, International Conference on Infrastructure Resilience, February 16, 2018.

"How to implement Resilience – Some Recommendations", Berlin, 9th Future Security Research Conference, September 17, 2014.

"International Perspectives on Resilience", Berlin, BMBF Innovation Forum "Civil Security" – Responses from Research, May 8, 2014.

"Resilien-Tech – Making resilience the fundamental prerequisite of technological or societal security solutions", Berlin, Multinational Resilience Policy Group, Connecting Research and Policy, May 30, 2013.