The prospective doctoral researchers will be supported by Leipzig University with a one-year position as a research assistant, numerous workshops and networking opportunities as well as funding for research stays, conference participation or self-organized events.
At the kick-off event at Villa Tillmanns, Prof. Dr. Roger Gläser, Vice-Rector for Talent Development and Dr. Kornelia Ehrlich, Managing Director of the Graduate Academy Leipzig, presented the roadmap for the coming year. In turn, the award tandems presented their research topics, timetables and projects and engaged in interdisciplinary discussions. This year's research projects include, for example, historical water management in Oman, invasive species in Nigerian flora, ethics and aesthetics of encounters with the foreign, and studies on biodiversity and climate extremes.
Conclusion of the 7th cohort
Shortly beforehand, the participants of the seventh cohort of the Pre-Doc Award presented their results at a final symposium. In a year of intensive research on topics such as artificial intelligence in vocational training, conspiracy theories, activity trackers for seniors, retinal diseases and endometriosis, all pre-doc awardees have applied for funding for a subsequent doctorate and some have already been accepted. Many of the postdocs involved have submitted their own research proposals during this time or have been involved in submitting a proposal and by that could secure the funding for “their” Pre-Docs for their dissertation.
“Last year, we were once again able to support numerous excellent early career researchers at our university with the Pre-Doc Award. With financial security, they were able to concentrate fully on the basics of their doctorate, sharpen their topic, gain initial experience at conferences and take care of funding for the next few years together with their postdoc partners,” sums up Dr. Kornelia Ehrlich, Managing Director of the Graduate Academy Leipzig, which is in charge of the programme.