Patrick Wäger studied chemistry at ETH Zurich as well as philosophy and sociology at University of Zurich. After a PhD in environmental sciences at ETH Zürich, he worked as an environmental consultant for Elektrowatt Engineering, before joining the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa) as a scientist. Currently, he is Head of Empa’s Technology and Society Laboratory, which explores the potential of novel materials and emerging technologies to support the transition to a more sustainable society. Amongst others, he was involved in the H2020 project "Prospecting Secondary Raw Materials in the Urban Mine and Mining Wastes" (ProSUM) as a work package leader.