The Research Network exists for active researchers at every career stage, working at the University of Bamberg. Its aim is to foster the formation and development of networks across the boundaries of different faculties, institutes, and departments; and to support researchers in their interdisciplinary cooperation within the University more generally. In relation to that, the Network is also conceived as an established ‘peer group’ for researchers of all ages and stages. We’ve developed a programme of ongoing activities with the aim of supporting and reinforcing peer-group structures, along with a series of regular events which all research-active members of the University are very welcome to attend. 

Research Network events will all by hybrid events (Teams and in person) throughout the summer semester of 2024, see here(899.3 KB)for times and dates. For further information, please visit our Virtual Campus page (no password).

Mix & Match

Whichever faculty you're a part of here in Bamberg... every academic discipline has its own rules, standards, and 'ways of doing things'. But there's one thing that can benefit all our work, regardless of what it's about or how we do it: academic exchange! And that's exactly what series of 'Mix & Match' events has been set up to enable and promote. We want to offer researchers here in Bamberg a platform to share research ideas, discuss them with colleagues, and 'take away' fresh impulses and approaches for individual or collaborative projects.

The previous Mix & Match events emphasise the diversity of this event series:

• "Attitudes towards teachers in Germany and the UK before, during and after Covid: A linguistic approach”, OR: “Teacher images in the German and British press before and after Covid”, Martina Zier (Winter 2021/22)
• "Geschlechtersensible Forschung" ("Gender-sensitive Research"), Dr. Janina Dillig (Summer 2022)

• "Intersubjektivität und Interpersonalität" (Intersubjectivity and Interpersonality), Konrad Buschhüter, mitsamt der Forschungsgruppe 'Interpersonalität' (Winter 2022/23)

• "Der Faustkeil als Enhancement" (The Biface as Enhancement), Niklas Döbler, (Winter 2022/23)

• "Creative Contests and Peer Review", Dominik Bruckner (Winter 2022/23)

• "Servant leadership as a resource during the pandemic", Annika Schowalter (Winter 2022/23)

• "Kickstart your Research Writing", Don Watson (Summer 2023)

• "Teaching with Pop Culture/Star Trek", Dr. Mareike Spychala (Summer 2023)

• “National Despite Global: Perspectives of Country Comparisons on Transformative Education for Sustainable Development”, Julia Hufnagl (Winter 2023/24)

• "K.I. unter der Lupe", Bettina Finzel und Johannes Langer (Winter 2023/24)

Asking for a Friend

This hybrid event offers a 'safe space' in which you can ask any question about matters around research degrees, programmes, and projects. For example: How did you manage to put together your literature review? What about your 'theory chapter'? What's your view on...? What on earth do I do if...? The basic idea is that forum participants should feel able to share their own experiences and pass on tips and advice quickly and accessibly. The aim of 'Asking for a Friend' is to encourage exchange within peer-groups, as well as allowing broader 'network building' with colleagues at slightly different career stages. No question is too obvious! If you're asking it, the chances are that someone else wants to know the answer as well.

All PhD students and post-docs are very welcome -- please feel free to ask questions, share tips, or just come and 'listen'. Although the event will mainly take place in German, you're very welcome to contribute and/or ask questions in English as well. No prior registration required.

"Obstacles"

“I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.” – Thomas Edison

Who hasn’t had that feeling? An incoming e-mail with negative news, a bucket of ice-cold water in your face. The answer is often to swallow your pride, smile, and congratulate others for their successes, while cursing your own bad luck. Mistakes are a taboo topic; after all, everyone else is always successful, all the time, at everything they do! And who wants to share their own misfortune in that kind of company? OK, that’s enough of that. We want to make failure socially acceptable. This event aimed to lift the veil in which we usually shroud our failures, and get us used to talking about, accepting, and growing through our mistakes.

We were delighted that Prof. Dr. Markus Behmer (Dean of the Faculty of Humanities) shared some of his experiences, insights, and advice on academic career paths. The event largely took place in German but contributions and questions in English were just as welcome.

"Writing Fridays"

Whether here in Bamberg or elsewhere, researching and writing are a core component of what we all do. PhD theses and habilitations, grant proposals, essays and articles, calls for papers, handbook entries, Festschrift contributions, conference papers, and much more: whatever it is, writing is our 'daily bread', but that doesn't necessarily make it any easier! We suddenly find we don't haven't the time, other jobs keep getting in the way, or our motivation's in short supply... and we're working on our own.

Writing is a whole lot easier and (hopefully!) more fun when you do it in a group. Quite often, all we need to break the block is a group of people around us working on similar kinds of things. You can share ideas and challenges, discuss your goals for the week, or just chat about your writing blocks and difficulties in 'getting it down on the page'. This is why our Research Network ran weekly 'Writing Fridays' from the Winter Semester 2021/22 until the Winter Semester 2022/23.