How can interdisciplinary and international teams overcome communication barriers and align their goals effectively? What strategies ensure that diverse perspectives work together towards a common research vision?

Bringing together researchers from different disciplines and countries offers enormous potential – but also specific challenges for team leaders. Through practical tools, case-based discussion, and peer exchange, participants will examine the dynamics within their own research groups. Topics include goal-setting in collaborative contexts, managing team dynamics, and navigating intercultural communication. The workshop supports participants in shaping a leadership culture that fits the needs of their interdisciplinary and international teams.

AI is transforming society – including the way researchers conduct their work. While many already leverage tools like ChatGPT for grant writing and paper composition, the potential applications of AI extend far beyond these initial scenarios. Discover new use-cases, advanced tools and interfaces, as well as practical tips & tricks to boost your research productivity through responsibly AI usage.

How can I enable my employees to tackle a problem more autonomously and secure the outcome? How can I motivate staff to devote more time, attention and initiative to projects?

Providing professional advice and support to junior scientists is an important part of leadership in science and often involves a considerable investment of time. Research assistants who work in a proactive, results- and goal-oriented manner take the pressure off professors and supervisors.

Essential coaching techniques support the employees‘ independent and goal-oriented solution finding. At the same time, the potential of employees and doctoral candidates is promoted.

“How can I keep calm and focused while communicating in stressful situations?” This workshop focuses on applying mindful communication principles to the way scientists correspond with others in academia (and beyond). These principles include setting an intention, being fully present, remaining open and non-judgmental, and relating to others with compassion. The participants will learn how to bring on a greater level of awareness to the two major components of communication: listening and speaking. The workshop gives the opportunity to discuss fear-factors in the research process and find practical solutions to navigate these challenges in a more proactive and positive direction.

“How can I make sure my paper stands out from the others…?” Excellent research is fundamental. But so is sharing it effectively with the broader academic community! This seminar supports participants in learning how to structure their academic writing so as to stand out from the crowd by producing writing that is clear, engaging and persuasive. Through its unique one-to one session offered on the second day of the workshop, this can be achieved for academic articles but also for policy briefs, media editorials or funding applications.

What do I want? What are my skills and abilities? Maybe I should…? The big issues in life will only very rarely be solved through casual chitchat. It will take careful consideration to decide whether you can and want to remain in the academic field or instead choose a non-academic career. This workshop will provide guidance for finding out which path will lay a solid foundation for the future, both on a professional and personal level. A series of interactive exercises will give you a clear idea of where you are at and make it easier to define what options there are.

„Wie soll ich jemals genug Zeit haben, um zu meinen Forschungsaktivitäten zurückzukehren…?“ Lehrstuhlinhaber:innen müssen viele Aufgaben und Rollen im Blick behalten. Managementtechniken und Führungsinstrumente helfen, die Flut der Anforderungen zu bewältigen. Der Fokus des Workshops liegt auf der effizienten und effektiven Gestaltung des eigenen Leitungsbereichs. Ausgehend von der konkreten eigenen Führungssituation werden Methoden vermittelt, die Aufgaben zu strukturieren und ein ergebnisorientiertes „Klima der Kreativität und Inspiration“ zu fördern. Das Ziel ist, den Teilnehmer:innen wieder den Blick und den Zugriff auf Forschungsfreiräume zu ermöglichen.

“Sometimes things don’t go as planned and I need to keep my cool instead of panicking. How can I stay focused when dealing with surprises?”

This unique two-day improvisation workshop gives participants the tools to accept the unexpected with confidence. Practical techniques help participants to step out of their comfort zone and to develop their authority, focus their anxiety, prepare for blackouts and become more self-reliant. The training is tailored to individual participant questions and uses role-play to investigate proposed scenarios and to train coping strategies, which can be used in real-world situations.