Extra-curricular activities

Dr.'in Vanessa Geuen & Tom Hölting, M.A. | SchreibCenter, TU Darmstadt

Writing a dissertation requires structure, focus, and adaptability – and AI tools promise to make this process easier. But do they really? This interactive workshop invites participants to reflect on their personal writing process and explore where AI-based tools can support them and where they might add new challenges. Participants will test selected tools, exchange experiences, and work on their own texts to develop effective, sustainable writing strategies.

Please note: Questions and discussions may also take place in English.

What is next after your doctorate or postdoc phase? In the post-doctoral phase, there is often the challenge of making more fundamental career decisions, developing and implementing an individual strategy for your own career. In fact, as an academic, you have excellent opportunities to pursue a career path that suits you.

JGU's Human Resources Development would like to support you in developing and realising your own career strategy with an individual coaching offer. If you decide to take advantage of this offer, you will have the opportunity to focus and work on your individual counselling needs in up to 5 coaching sessions with an external career coach.

Dr. Andreas Trabesinger

For most scientists it is easier to present their research than to write about their achievements. In this workshop, Dr. Andreas Trabesinger will present context, tools and perspectives related to 'tailoring' CVs, based on his experience as a writing consultant, science writer and a former editor at Nature Physics. Participants will hear how to transparently describe their scientific achievements, how to deal with 'unusual' career paths, about different 'performance metrics' and their caveats - and how AI-based tools might be used as a 'writing companion'.

Registration via email mpa@uni-mainz.de

Annette Blumenschein | Beratung, Training, Moderation
This seminar shows you how to clearly recognize your own value, present it with confidence, and communicate persuasively in salary negotiations. You will learn to overcome limiting thought and speech patterns, highlight your strengths effectively, and respond confidently to objections using proven negotiation techniques, including the Harvard concept. Practical exercises, feedback, and peer exchange will support you in developing your individual arguments and successfully negotiating an appropriate salary.

Annemarie Mattmann | Storyhorizon

Scientific facts alone are often not enough to engage or convince an audience — the way they are communicated matters. In this hands-on workshop, trainer Annemarie Mattmann introduces storytelling as a powerful tool to make research more memorable, relatable, and persuasive. Participants learn how to shape narratives around scientific findings, use story structures effectively, and build empathy through clear messages and well-crafted examples.
Through practical exercises, participants develop their own short stories and transform research topics into engaging narratives. The workshop also explores how to balance accuracy and creativity when communicating complex information, and how storytelling can support scientific credibility while reaching broader audiences.

Dr. Sylvia Löhken | IntrosExtros, Bonn

Networking is an essential part of academic life - it opens doors to collaborations, joint projects, and new career opportunities. In this online workshop, participants will learn how to approach and connect with others at conferences and professional events more confidently and authentically.
Trainer Dr. Sylvia Löhken, bestselling author, coach, and expert on communication and networking, introduces practical strategies for managing personal contacts, starting and maintaining conversations, and overcoming hesitation when interacting with senior professionals. Participants will reflect on their own communication styles and develop individual approaches to building lasting professional relationships.

Vicent Botella-Soler, PhD | Dickerson et al.
Decision-making in academia can be challenging - from choosing the next research focus to deciding whether to stay in academia or move on. This workshop provides practical tools to approach such decisions with greater clarity and confidence.
Trainer Vicent Botella-Soler, a former physicist and neuroscientist with broad experience in academia, startups, and industry, shares insights into common cognitive biases, procrastination, and worry patterns that hinder clear thinking. Through theoretical input, reflection, and group activities, participants learn to recognize mental traps and develop strategies to improve focus, reduce overthinking, and strengthen decision-making in research and beyond.

Dr. Till Neunhöffer | Enter the Gap

This one-day workshop addresses challenging situations in life and how to handle them skillfully. Participants will explore key competencies such as managing their own state, understanding reality as a construct, listening as a powerful tool, and considering consequences before acting. Trainer input will be combined with demonstrations, partner practice on real-life issues, and brief theoretical impulses from communication, conflict resolution, and neuroscience.
Registration via email mpa@uni-mainz.de

In an increasingly interconnected world, academia brings together diverse cultures, beliefs, and perspectives. To collaborate effectively across borders and disciplines, scholars must develop cultural awareness and adaptability.

• Understanding and navigating the complexities of global academia
• Recognizing and managing culture shock
• Developing cultural intelligence for academic and professional success
• Embracing diversity and inclusion in research and teaching

In cooperation with TwentyOne Skills, GRADE offers 35+ asynchronous online courses. Each 3-month session starts in January, April, July, and October. Participants can register anytime and access the courses for three months on the TwentyOne Skills online platform.