Workshops

Workshops and lectures

The main part of the WGS training program is based on various workshops which are open for all students of the WGS and are taking place at least once a year to ensure that every student of the WGS has the opportunity to participate within the workshops. Detailed information about the certain dates will be posted on this website early enough and registration can be performed via email.

Mandatory workshops have to be attended within the three years by each member of the WGS, but can be planned individually. The list of the offered workshops is continuing to be extended and individual workshops are also organized if needed. Further all doctoral researchers of the WGS also have the opportunity to participate in workshops organized by the GC-Plus  of the University Duisburg-Essen (UDE) or the  RRS of the Ruhr-University Bochum (RUB) (click here for more information). The GC-Plus is a university-wide interdisciplinary graduate school, which is open for early career academics of all research directions and career stages. It is part of the  RAR, the cross‑university platform of RUB, TU Dortmund, and UDE for promoting early career researchers in the University Alliance Ruhr. All doctoral researchers have free access to the program of RAR which, besides pooling local qualification programs of the three UA Ruhr universities, offers advice on career paths and options for researchers, exchange with experts from science and industry, support for international activities through strong networks, easier access to research-related training offers on faculty and department level and the intensive development of research-related networks within UA Ruhr and beyond. This complementary measure allows a customized interdisciplinary education and an adaptation of knowledge to the requirements of the specific research topic.

All dates can be accessed by the members of the WGS in the Nextcloud calendar.

If you want to register for one of the offered workshops or want to know more please contact Dr. Vanessa Kramer (vanessa.kramer@uni-due.de).
All workshops are limited to a max. of 10 – 15 participants.

November 21st 2025 Reading Between the Lines: Interpreting Job Ads and Writing Targeted CVs

Registration closed. Please contact Sören Köhler (soeren.koehler@stud.uni- due.de) if you would like to join.

The transition from academia to industry poses major challenges for many doctoral researchers. After years in an academic environment, the expectations and requirements of the private sector are often unclear and writing a convincing application can become a hurdle. In this workshop, you will learn how to analyse job advertisements in a targeted manner, consciously reflect on your own strengths and skills and present these in a concise CV in the best possible way. You will also learn how to tailor your CV to different jobs in order to maximise your chances on the job market.

January 13th 2026 How to plan and write a competitive research grant proposal (online)

Please contact Sören Köhler  if you would like to join.

This program is designed for postdocs and late-stage doctoral candidates who are new to the process of applying for a research grant. It provides essential guidance to be able to navigate the complexity of grant writing with confidence – from designing a fundable project and responding to the evaluation criteria of the funding agency, to managing the writing process and dealing with low success rates.

Learning outcomes

By participating in this workshop, you will be better equipped to

  • identify funding opportunities for different research settings

  • navigate the evaluation process

  • design fundable research projects

  • structure and schedule the writing process

  • employ effective language and style

  • establish a grant track record

February 18th 2026 Gender Equality, Anti-Discrimination, & Diversity – what can we do?

Please contact Sören Köhler  if you would like to join.

Gender Equality, Anti-Discrimination, and Diversity – these political as well as scientific topics are highly debated both in terms of the development of universities and academic careers as well as matters of research and vital parts of third-party funding proposals. Against this complex background, these topics also play a major role in one’s everyday doings. Besides one’s own aspirations and plans in academia, there are other members of the university whose lack of voice might be enhanced by too little (individual and organizational) engagement in these fields.

This workshop sets out to provide a solid foundation in Gender Equality, Anti- Discrimination, and Diversity as political as well social constructs that resonates in everybody’s academic life. It sheds light on the structural and political bearings and the repercussions on academic careers and develops – based on real-life experiences of the participants – strategies for dealing with structural barriers: for one’s self and others.

March 3rd 2026 Building Bridges in Science: Practice Empathy, Listen Actively and Become an Ally

(IRTG – WGS members may register if spots are available)

Please contact Sören Köhler  if you would like to join.

Enhance your interpersonal communication skills and learn how to support gender, sexual, and cultural minorities in the research community. Through interactive discussions, this workshop highlights the importance of empathy, active listening, diversity and allyship in research environments. Providing practical strategies to build strong connections, maintain effective communication, promote inclusivity and create positive change in your academic community.

Understand the impact of empathy on collaboration. Cultivate active listening skills to decode then respond to others' perspectives and needs. Strengthen relationships with supervisors, peers, and collaborators. Navigate conflicts constructively through empathetic communication.

Recognize the challenges faced by minorities in scientific fields. Develop skills to become an effective ally and advocate for inclusivity and equity. Discover strategies to foster diversity, manage unconscious bias, and create welcoming spaces for all. Address sensitive topics in a constructive dialogue to promote understanding.

In particular, we will cover:

  • The research behind empathy and active listening,

  • How to shift perspective with active listening and empathy maps,

  • Verbal and non-verbal cues,

  • Asking for context while looking for subtext,

  • What is an empathetic response and how to individualize it,

  • The research behind unconscious bias and intersectionality,

  • How to create a personal allyship action plan,

  • What stereotype threat is and how it can affect academic performance,

  • Noticing and combating microaggressions.

    Participants get to practice their empathetic response and refine their listening skills in small groups. We will also dive deep into several diversity topics through scenario analyses and roundtable discussions. By actively engaging in this workshop, you will connect with peers and commit to becoming an ally in your research community. Join us to expand your perception of the ways people communicate. Together, we can create a more inclusive and supportive environment where everyone can thrive and contribute to scientific advancements.

September 21st - 24th, 2026 Scientific Writing & Yoga Retreat (your working group has to pay for the hotel – 120€/per night)

Please contact Sören Köhler  if you would like to join.

The following topics are addressed in input sessions or provided as online material and/or can be discussed in individual coaching sessions, according to the needs of the participants.

Planning of scientific texts

  • Specifying the research question in experimental studies–provided as online material for self-study

  • Structure conventions in scientific texts–provided as online material for self-study

  • Writing of scientific texts

  • Writing phases and writing types–provided as online material for selfstudy

  • Mindfulness as a tool for self-reflection and relaxation

  • The importance of structure for a successful writing process

  • Revision of scientific texts

  • Efficient revision strategies

  • Style conventions in scientific texts–provided as online material for selfstudy

  • Approaching imposter syndrome and perfectionism through selfreflection and mindfulness exercises

    Feedback

  • Effective feedback strategies

  • Individual Feedback on 1-2 pages

  • Approaching feedback, criticism and commendation through mindfulness

    exercises

  • Physical wellbeing during writing

  • individual coaching on body posture during writing

    GOALS

  • Participants are able to make significant progress on their papers and/or dissertations in a relaxed and trusting atmosphere.

  • Participants get feedback on their text or input regarding their writing strategies according to their individual needs.

  • Participants have access to material which supports them in specifying their research question, getting to know their writing type and applying structure-and style conventions in scientific texts. Participants create a sense for the body and learn strategies to increase their physical and mental wellbeing through yoga and mindfulness.

  • Participants are able to use yoga and mindfulness exercises to analyse their situation. They gain clarity for the next steps.

  • Yoga and mindfulness practices enable participants to use methods to sharpen their concentration for a successful writing process.

October 12th - 16th, 2026 Writing Days

Please contact Sören Köhler  if you would like to join.

Open Writing Sessions for all doctoral researchers who are interested to work on their individual project/thesis/paper. Supervision of the sessions will be performed by PostDocs and PIs of the CRC.