Raphaël Zaffran

Dr. Raphaël Zaffran serves as Deputy Director of the University of Geneva's Centre for Continuing and Distance Education, where he leads organizational streamlining through digital transformation and manages the Centre's learning portfolio. With a background as a political scientist specializing in international security policy, he bridges academic research with practical educational applications.

Dr. Zaffran's research focuses on critical contemporary issues at the intersection of technology and education, particularly 'learning in the age of artificial intelligence' and 'the ability to concentrate as a key 21st-century skill.' His work examines how attention fragmentation impacts both educational practices and broader societal functions, arguing that diminished concentration capacity affects everything from personal happiness to democratic participation.

As founder and host of the LifelongLearning@UNIGE podcast, he creates accessible content exploring continuing education topics. His approach emphasizes practical solutions for attention restoration, including intentional disconnection from digital devices and varied teaching methodologies that accommodate modern attention spans while promoting deeper learning.

• PhD from the Geneva Graduate Institute
• MA from McGill University
• BA from Royal Holloway University in London
• UNIGE Certificate of Advanced Studies in Design and Development of e-Learning Projects

Dr. Zaffran's scholarly contributions address what he identifies as a systemic societal problem rather than merely an individual failing, noting that 'you can be the most disciplined person in the world, but you're still alone against a thousand engineers behind these applications, whose mission is to monetize your attention.' His work has significant implications for educational design, workplace productivity, and civic engagement in the digital age.