With this workshop series, the CRC invites its PhD students and its Postdocs to reflect upon the world of scientific research from different perspectives.

Combining input from the science studies with practical training and coaching, the workshops equip the young researchers with knowledge and skills for a successful career development in the academia or industry, with a special focus laid upon issues of diversity and equal opportunities. The workshops raise awareness of the social, organizational and individual factors shaping professional careers, show possible obstacles and propose strategies for overcoming them. Moreover, the young researchers gain knowledge and skills for leading teams and organizations in ways which foster openness and equal opportunities for people of different gender, familial, social and cultural backgrounds.

The first workshop took place on 1 and 2 December 2015 at FU Berlin. The focus topics were academic visibility and self-presentation as career development strategies. The program can be found here.

For the workshops in 2017 and 2018, the CRC joined the Career Day initiative of the Geo.X network, which connects geoscientific research institutions and graduate schools in the Berlin-Potsdam area.

The topic of the Geo.X Career Day 2017 was work-life balance in the academia. The format included an open space with ten invited scientists from all career levels who shared their experiences and solutions regarding work-life balance with the participants, and a plenary discussion with representatives of the Berlin universities and the DFG. The workshop is documented in a short video authored by Johanna Ickert and René Arnold.

Geo.X Career Day 2018 was dedicated to career navigation in and outside the academia. The participants had the chance to meet several role models from different fields of work and get to know their career paths. For impressions of the Career Day see the short video by Johanna Ickert.