Graduate Studies Support Program

The goal of the Berlin University Alliance is to improve the conditions for all doctoral candidates at the four partner institutions. Joint continuing education programs as well as mentoring and supervision play a central role in this. The Graduate Studies Support Team consists of referees from the four partner institutions. This alliance offers a comprehensive qualification program that reflects the different phases of a doctoral program. It is free of charge and open to all BUA doctoral candidates.

Focus of Content

The offer consists of five modules that start with a core event as well as numerous workshops, coaching and mentoring opportunities. It provides you with all the relevant skills to guide you through your doctoral studies and prepare you for the time after. Special emphasis is placed on the following areas:

• Module 1: Kick Off Your Doctorate Retreat
  Core event: A joint retreat will inform and teach techniques for a successful start to doctoral research as well as offer networking opportunities.

• Module 2: (In)Credible Research Conference
  Core event: A conference on good research and research integrity will present the rules and principles of good scientific practice, clarify issues of ethical responsibility and discuss the importance of reproducibility of research results.

• Module 3: Writing Weeks
  Core event: A writing week to help you structure your writing process, combat writer's block and develop your publishing skills. Reflecting on the writing process and writing in tandems is also part of the week.

•  Module 4: Mental Health Days
  Core event: A blended learning event on mental health/resilience covers strategies for building mental stamina and resilience in crisis situations.

•  Module 5: Career Day
  Core event: A career day introduces students to career paths inside and outside of academia and encourages them to start planning their own careers early.

Through a variety of accompanying workshops, coaching opportunities, and mentoring programs, you will improve your presentation skills, learn event management, networking, or creative writing techniques. You will learn how to integrate mental health promotion into your daily work. Complementary activities help you develop an understanding of research integrity.

Where can I find events and workshop offers?

As a doctoral researcher at one of the partner institutions, you have access to all workshops and events offered by the Berlin University Alliance. You can choose where and when you want to attend the workshops, according to your own schedule. This will help you get up to speed more quickly in this new phase of your career.

• Freie Universität Berlin: Dahlem Research School I Freie Universität Berlin
• Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin: Humboldt Graduate School | Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
• Technische Universität Berlin: ZE Wissenschaftliche Weiterbildung und Kooperation I Technische Universität Berlin 
• Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin: Charité Graduate Studies Support I Charité-Universitätsmedizin

If you have any questions about the joint course program or consulting services, please feel free to contact the Graduate Studies Support Team at graduatestudies@berlin-university-alliance.de