Advanced Talents Day 2022
Make plans. Discuss. Network.
How can I enhance my academic profile? How can I use science communication to market myself, and how can I plan the next steps in my career? Around 60 junior professors, junior research group leaders, and postdocs addressed these and other questions at the seventh Advanced Talents Day on August 22, 2022, at RWTH. The yearly event is a cooperation between RWTH, the University of Cologne, and Forschungszentrum Jülich. Professor Sabine Brück-Dürkop, RWTH Vice-Rector for Human Resources Management and Development and patron of the event, welcomed the participants and guests to RWTH.
An excellent academic reputation is key to a successful career in research and science. Therefore, it is vital for scholars to effectively communicate their research findings and to be perceived as experts in the scholarly community. Current trends in science communication and self-marketing were, therefore, the focus of this year’s Advanced Talents Day. Other topics included setting up one’s own research group, cross-cutting issues such as equal treatment and opportunities in academic careers, and issues of responsibility in research and innovation. In the afternoon, the German Association of Universities and other Higher Education Institutions (DHV) provided information in two workshops on appointment procedures – particularly preparation for call negotiations or evaluations – and the German science system.
In between sessions, the participants had plenty of opportunities to network and discuss career paths and strategies on the way to a professorship with others. Representatives of service institutions from RWTH, FZJ, and the University of Cologne offered information about their services for scholars. At the end of this successful day, RWTH invited everyone to the Skylounge on the roof of the main building to end the day with music, drinks, and snacks.
The next Advanced Talents Day will be hosted by the University of Cologne in 2023.
Agenda of the 7th Advanced Talents Day 2022
Welcome and Introduction
- Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Sabine Brück-Dürkop, Vice-Rector for Human Resources Management and Development, RWTH Aachen
- Prof. Dr. Stephan Michael Schröder, Vice-Rector for Academic Career and Equal Opportunities, University of Cologne
- Prof. Dr. Frauke Melchior, Member of the Board of Directors for Scientific Division III, Forschungszentrum Jülich
Science Communication and Research Assessment as a Key in Career Planning
Speaker Mattias Björnmalm, PhD, CESAER - Deputy Secretary General
Panel discussion
- Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Sabine Brück-Dürkop, Vice-Rector for Human Resources Management and Development, RWTH Aachen
- Prof. Dr.-Ing. Matthias Wessling, Vice-Rector for Research and Structure, RWTH Aachen
- Prof. Dr. Stephan Michael Schröder, Vice-Rector for Academic Career and Equal Opportunities, University of Cologne
- Prof. Dr. Frauke Melchior, Member of the Board of Directors for Scientific Division III, Forschungszentrum Jülich
- Dr. Elisabeth Hoffmann, Chief Communication Officer, University of Cologne
Growing Into Leading a Group
- Prof. Dr.-Ing. Laura De Laporte DWI – DWI Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials, RWTH Aachen
Equal Opportunities in Reasearch and Academia
- Dr. Susanne Knoop, Director, Equal Opportunities, Research Integrity and Cross-Programme Development, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG)
Introductory Talk and Q&A Sessions
- German Academic System (Workshop in English)
RA Katharina Lemke, Legal Counsel for Higher Education and Civil Service Law, DHV - German Association of University Professors and Lecturers - Preparing for the Professorial Appointment Procedure and Evaluation Process (Workshop in German)
RA Prof. Dr. Hubert Detmer, Legal Counsel for Higher Education and Civil Service Law, DHV - German Association of University Professors and Lecturers - What is responsibility in Research? (Workshop in English)
Dr. Ana de la Varga, Managing Director Käte Hamburger Kolleg, Human Technology Centre (HumTec), RWTH Aachen
Summary and Farewell
- Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Sabine Brück-Dürkop, Vice-Rector for Human Resources Management and Development, RWTH Aachen
Afternoon Event and Networking
- Special Feature – Musical Act: RWTH Carbon Quintett