KICK OFF YOUR DOCTORATE (organized by FU Berlin) / 25-12-KO-1

TitleTimeRoomTeacher
KICK OFF YOUR DOCTORATE (organized by FU Berlin) / 25-12-KO-101.12.2025 14:00 - 21:00 (Mon)Ginn Hotel, Warthestraße 20, 14513 Teltow
KICK OFF YOUR DOCTORATE (organized by FU Berlin) / 25-12-KO-102.12.2025 09:00 - 20:00 (Tue)Ginn Hotel, Warthestraße 20, 14513 Teltow
KICK OFF YOUR DOCTORATE (organized by FU Berlin) / 25-12-KO-103.12.2025 09:00 - 12:15 (Wed)Ginn Hotel, Warthestraße 20, 14513 Teltow

The Berlin University Alliance is an alliance of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Technische Universität Berlin and Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin. Together, they are pursuing the goal of creating and shaping an integrated research space in Berlin. This alliance aims to establish Berlin as a leading international science location.  In addition to other key aspects, the Graduate Study Support team offers a comprehensive interdisciplinary qualification program that addresses the following topics in five core modules: "Kick off your doctorate" retreats, an "(In)Credible Research" conference, online and on-site "Writing Week", "Mental Health Days" and a "Career Day".

      

Participation

Doctoral researchers (all disciplines) of the Berlin University Alliance (FU, HU, TU, Charité) in the first six months of their doctorate. Participation is only possible once.


Objectives

The onboarding event offers you the opportunity to connect with fellow doctoral researchers from across the Berlin University Alliance and establish valuable initial contacts.

Experienced professional trainers will guide the event, providing practical input and helpful insights for a successful start to your doctoral journey. In interactive sessions, you will receive inspiration on how to boost your motivation, manage your time and projects effectively, and navigate the challenges of your doctorate with confidence. In addition, you will gain a concise overview of the wide range of support services and resources available at the four member institutions.

 

Highlights from the program:

• The German research system
• Motivation and goal clarification
• Supervisory relationship
• Science communication: Pitch your project
• Project management & self-organization
• Future Me: personal action plan
• Group coaching and networking
• Networking evening

 

The Kick Off takes place on-site. In order to create a setting in which participants can focus on their (upcoming) doctoral project and exchange ideas with peers.
Participation includes two nights in the hotel. Accommodation will be in single rooms and all costs are covered. You will however have to pay for the transport.
We reserve the right to charge you for any costs incurred in the event of cancellation at short notice or non-attendance without a medical certificate. 

For questions please check the FAQs below.

 

Please Note

Are you a doctoral researcher at a member institution of the Berlin University Alliance but not yet registered? Then go to https://www.drs.fu-berlin.de/user/register. Please keep in mind to use an institutional email address of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Technische Universität Berlin or Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin. And please do so as soon as possible to be ready for booking. If you do not already have an institutional email address, please send us proof that you are pursuing your doctorate at one of these institutions. Contact us at skills@drs.fu-berlin.de if you have any further questions.

Regardless of on-site or online workshops, we would like to refer to the rules at Freie Universität Berlin, which can be found in the Code of Conduct.

 

We recommend

Submit the "Form to notify about absence from work" to your institution in a timely manner. This way, your supervisor/ superior knows that you will not be working on those days and you will NOT be able to participate in (online) meetings during the event. You can find the form and program after registration under "resources"

 

Further information

Doctoral programs calculate credits based on the number of work units earned through workshop participation. Each work unit represents 45 minutes of workshop time, and 8 work units equal 0.5 credit points. For mini workshops (less than 8 work units), credits are calculated proportionally based on the work units. Please note: To be eligible for credit transfer, you must accumulate enough work units from short workshops. For example, attending two 3-hour workshops results in 8 work units (2 workshops x 4 work units each), which equals 0.5 credits.

 

++++  Registrierung für den Deutschen Kick Off Your Doctorate - Retreat in Präsenz: November 19-21, 2025 (DE) erfolgt über die Webseite der TU Berlin. ++++

 

Course Format: 
in person
Course Capacity: 
60
Course Language: 
English
Work Units: 
24
Budget Points: 
0
PDF template: 
BUA (en)
Instructor: 
Dr. Alexander Egeling, Dr. Marlies Klamt, Amanda Wichert
Type: 
Retreat