On November 15th and 16th, we visited the FLI in Jena to meet for the 9th Leibniz Ph.D. Network General Assembly. The discussions focussed on our network’s progress, challenges, and future initiatives aimed at improving the experiences of doctoral researchers across disciplines.

As a result of the assembly, we welcome the new Steering Committee 2024/25. Please find more information on your representatives here:

• Julius Petrausch (Spokesperson)
• Stefanos Somatakis (Spokesperson)
• Alexa Sanchez Mejia (Treasurer)
• Sophie Lindemann (Section A Spokesperson)
• Md Imtiaz Uddin (Section B Spokesperson)
• Advitiya Khandelwal (Section C Spokesperson)
• Johanna Richter (Section D Spokesperson)
• Melanie Hanser (Section E Spokesperson)

(The new and old steering committee on the left, the steering committee 2024/25 on the right.)

One focus of the PhD General Assembly was the reports from the working groups on the various ongoing projects:

• Mental Health: The network’s surveys indicate prevalent issues of anxiety and depression among Ph.D. students. Therefore, counseling resources are available on the this website, and a Mental Health Day is being planned, they look for volunteers to help.
• Sustainability: There was a paper on sustainability in Leibniz in 2023; there will be a comprehensive sustainability strategy of Leibniz association unveiled in November 2024. The group looks for new members.
• Power Abuse Prevention: A formal letter was send to the Leibniz association urgen them to strengthen its commitment to fostering a respectful culture. You can seek help here: ppa.leibniz@outlook.com
• Diversity and Inclusion: A significant event under the N2 banner is scheduled for Berlin in 2025, focusing on diversity. There will be a panel with the presidents of Leibniz, Max-Planck and Helmholtz Institutes.
• Communication: The PhD assembly is enhancing its visibility through social media initiatives and mailing lists. Please follow the PhD assembly in the socials. Representatives should write spokesperson@leibniz-phd.net to be part of the email list.
• Survey: Two major surveys are underway: one addressing mental health, with results soon to be analyzed, and another focusing on power abuse, planned for 2025. The latter survey invites individuals to anonymously share experiences of power abuse; responses remain confidential within the Ph.D. community and are not shared with the Leibniz association. Volunteers are welcome to assist with these survey projects: https://leibniz-phd.net/survey/

To summarize more items on the itentenary: The Leibniz Institute on Aging showed us their laboratories and research areas. Followed by, a panel discussion on mental health, featuring Prof. Sebastian Lentz, Selma Yagoub, and a representative of the FLI, highlighted the psychological challenges faced by many Ph.D. candidates. The Ph.D. Network General Assembly reaffirmed its commitment to addressing critical issues affecting doctoral researchers while fostering an inclusive and supportive academic community. The last item on the agenda was an exchange of experiences with other network speakers from N2. Elisabeth Bobkova at Max-Planck and Hanin Alkhamis at Helmholtz reported in detail how they had spoken to the official heads of the institutes about the concerns of PhDs.

On April 11^th and 12^th, the 6^th Future Workshop, hosted by the Leibniz PhD Network, was held at the Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK) in Gatersleben. 

Twenty-seven doctoral researchers convened, coming from various Leibniz Institutes across Germany including cities like Freising, Kiel, Dresden, Berlin, Bochum, Hannover, and Jena.

The opening session featured a welcome address by Prof. Dr. Nicolaus von Wirén, the Managing Director of IPK. This was followed by an introduction to the Leibniz PhD Network, the steering comitee and its various Working Groups, which include Communication, Contract Situation and Prevention of Power Abuse, Diversity, Mental Health, Survey, and Sustainability.

During the second session, round table discussions were organized to allow all participants to engage deeply in conversations on the topics covered by each working group. These round tables provided an interactive platform for exchanging ideas, experiences, and insights related to various themes. Participants had the chance to delve into subjects like Communication, Contract Situation and Prevention of Power Abuse, Diversity, Mental Health, Survey, and Sustainability.

Following these dynamic discussions, a collective brainstorming session was held. This segment of the session was designed to harness the diverse perspectives and expertise of the attendees, aiming to collaboratively define the main objectives and projects for the year ahead. Through combined efforts, clear goals and actionable plans for each topic were outlined, ensuring a focused and cohesive strategy moving forward.

Attendees were also given a guided tour of IPK’s PhenoSphere, a sophisticated plant phenotyping platform that allows for the strict control of environmental conditions to simulate field conditions and various climate scenarios. Additionally, they visited the GenBank, which is one of the largest seed collections globally, notable for its extensive botanical diversity and collection size.

In conclusion, the 6^th Future Workshop of the Leibniz PhD Network facilitated valuable exchanges among doctoral researchers, enabling each working group to attract new members and allowing current members to meet in person and engage in self-reflection.

Author: Francesca Lanterna (Senckenberg Biodiversität und Klima Forschungszentrum)

Photos: Julie-Sophie Himpe (Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research) and Johnson Kansiime (Leibniz Institute of Agricultural Development in Transition Economies)

Hey there, Doctoral Researchers! 

Looking for something more than just another meeting? Well, you have found it! The 6th Future Workshop of the Leibniz PhD Network is tailor-made for you – a chance to connect, collaborate, and tackle challenges alongside your fellow researchers. Enjoy two days full of inspiration in an environment filled with ideas, innovations and where new contacts are made. 

What to Expect: 

• Networking Opportunities: Connect with researchers from diverse backgrounds – It could be the connection that changes everything! 
• Interactive Discussions: Gain fresh perspectives and leave with practical tips for navigating academia. 
• Insightful Workshops: Get active! Be part of one of the PhD-network Working groups and develop new strategies and content.  
• Showcase of Projects: Explore the Gene Bank and Phenosphere guided tour at IPK. 
• Cultural Exploration: After the workshop, discover the beauty of Gatersleben and its surroundings.  

Registration Details: 

Ready to dive in? Secure your spot at the Future Workshop today! Head over to our website here for registration and program details, venue, and accommodation:  https://meetings.ipk-gatersleben.de/future-workshop/ 

Registrations will be open until March 31^st.   

Do not let this opportunity pass you by. Come join us in Gatersleben for an experience that’s equal parts enriching and unforgettable! 

Agenda: