Reto Steiner

Prof. Dr. Reto Steiner is a prominent figure at Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) as the Dean of the School of Management and Law and a Professor of Public Management. His academic and professional activities span across local governance, digital transformation, and the management of educational institutions and public enterprises. Steiner has held various significant roles, including Director of the ZHAW School of Management and Law since 2017, Guest Professor at the University of Rome Tor Vergata in 2020, and Contract Professor at Free University of Bozen from 2016 to 2018.

Steiner's research focuses on Public Management, Digital Transformation, Artificial Intelligence in the Public Sector, Municipal Research, and Governance of State-Owned Enterprises. His recent publications highlight trends in co-creation within Swiss local governance, the integration of AI in public organizations, and the dynamics of digital transformation in European local governments. His work often involves comparative case studies and empirical analyses, emphasizing the impact of structural factors on public service delivery and the challenges of citizen engagement in Europe.

• PhD in Business Administration from the University of Bern (1997–2002)
• Master’s in Political and Administrative Sciences from the University of Bern (1991–1996)

Steiner's projects include ongoing research on digital transformation at the local tier of government in Europe and the significance and success of co-creation at the municipal level. He has contributed extensively to academic discourse through his publications in journals such as Public Management Review, Public Money & Management, and Verwaltung & Management, with a consistent focus on European local governance, policy implementation, and public sector efficiency.