Switzerland has developed a differentiated and multi-level education data infrastructure in which several complementary actors provide education researchers with access to high-quality data (CSRE/SKBR, 2023). A central pillar is the Federal Statistical Office (FSO), which collects, harmonises, and disseminates administrative and survey data covering all levels of the education system. Through unique personal identifiers, standardised classifications, and longitudinal designs, FSO datasets enable the analysis of educational trajectories over time and the linkage of education data with other social domains. Regulated access procedures, secure data environments, and comprehensive documentation ensure both usability and data protection. A second key infrastructure actor is FORS, the Swiss Centre of Expertise in the Social Sciences. FORS conducts and supports large-scale national and international surveys relevant to education research, hosts the main social science data archive in Switzerland, and serves as the national service provider for CESSDA (Consortium of European Social Science Data Archives). Through data curation, metadata standardisation, and long-term preservation aligned with European standards, FORS facilitates the reuse of educational research data and strengthens the integration of Swiss education research into the European research area. In recent years, FORS has intensified its engagement with education researchers, addressing challenges related to sensitive data, informed consent, and the methodological diversity characteristic of educational studies. Beyond these infrastructures, the Swiss education data landscape includes major longitudinal studies, smaller thematic initiatives, and governance-based coordination structures. The Swiss Conference of Cantonal Ministers of Education (EDK) plays an important coordinating role in shaping data production and use across a highly federalised education system. In addition, educa.ch has proposed frameworks and services to improve data use, interoperability, and access across educational levels. Cantonal initiatives have also gained importance, with several cantons developing their own data infrastructures and research collaborations; the canton of Zurich, in particular, has been highly active in expanding data availability and linking administrative data with research needs. Overall, the Swiss education data infrastructure has been built incrementally over several decades through public investment and close cooperation between statistical authorities, research institutions, and educational governance bodies (FSO, 2023). Its core functions include data production, longitudinal integration, metadata standardisation, secure access, and user support. At the national level, these infrastructures support education research, research-based development, and evidence-informed practice. At the European level, they enable participation in comparative studies and alignment with shared infrastructure standards, thereby strengthening the contribution of Swiss education research to European educational sciences.

Swiss Coordination Centre for Research in Education (CSRE/SKBF), 2023. Swiss Education Report 2023. Aarau: CSRE. https://www.skbf-csre.ch/fileadmin/files/pdf/bildungsberichte/2023/BiBer_2023_E.pdf Federal Statistical Office (FSO), 2023. Bildungsstatistik 2022 / Education Statistics 2022 (Swiss Statistics series). Swiss Federal Statistical Office. https://www.bfs.admin.ch/asset/en/24586339