Graduate Studies Support
Excellent training for all doctoral candidates of the Alliance partners
The goal of the Berlin University Alliance is to improve the conditions for all doctoral candidates of the four partner institutions. One of the key elements of successful early-career support is a rich portfolio of skills and career development training as well as advisory services.
The qualification program is oriented to the different phases of a doctorate. It consists of five major events, the so-called core events, which are held jointly by all houses, and a broad selection of other workshops ("satellites") as well as coaching and mentoring offers.
Core events:
Module 1: Kick Off Your Doctorate,
a multi-day retreat at a conference hotel for new doctoral researchers that facilitates a successful start to the doctorate and promotes exchange among doctoral researchers across university boundaries. This event takes place four times a year and is jointly organized by all BUA partners.
Module 2: (In)Credible Research,
a conference on the current issues of research quality and integrity, discussing the principles of good scientific practice and the ethical responsibility of research. The conference takes place once a year and is organized by Charité-Universitätsmedizin with the support of doctoral researchers.
Module 3: Writing Week(s),
a writing week held several times a year to help doctoral researchers structure the writing process more clearly, solve writing blocks, strengthen their publication skills, and reflect on writing experiences in writing groups. The Writing Week is organized and offered four times a year by Freie Universität.
Module 4: Mental Health Days,
a retreat that teaches strategies to strengthen (mental) stamina and resilience in crisis situations. The offering is organized twice a year by Technische Universität.
Module 5: Career Day,
a career day that uses examples to present various career paths within and outside the university and encourages reflection on one's own career aspirations and opportunities after the doctorate. The event is organized once a year by Humboldt-Universität with the support of doctoral researchers.
Additional offers:
In addition to these core events, the member institutions offer further workshops, coaching and mentoring for all doctoral candidates of the members institutions of the Berlin University Alliance. Participants will improve their presentation skills, learn about event management and networking, or train to integrate techniques for writing or mental health promotion into their daily work routine. The activities will also help to develop an understanding of research integrity for one's own specific discipline and make doctoral students more successful in their academic careers.
For more detailed information on the program and further events, please contact: