The Münster Centre for Emerging Researchers (CERes) endeavours to network emergent researchers across faculty borders and to support them in doing so. With the buddy programme, our aim is to promote peer-to-peer support right at the beginning of the doctoral process, bringing together new doctoral researchers and those who are already in a further stage of the doctorate.

Peer-to-peer exchanges open up space for

• a friendly welcome and better orientation for new doctoral researchers 
• extending interdisciplinary networking  
• actively shaping a doctoral culture characterised by openness, curiosity and solidarity

• How it works

  An experienced buddy (an advanced doctoral researcher) can provide support for a group of up to five new doctoral researchers.

• Timetable

  1.  Registration period: 01.03.-15.05.  
  2. Duration of peer-to-peer support: one semester as a rule, with intensive peer-to-peer support at the beginning of the semester.

  
   

• FAQ

  1. Who can register as a buddy?
  Doctoral researchers at Münster University at an advanced stage of their doctorate (min. two years into their own doctorate, ideally in the final year).
  
  2. What is expected of a buddy?
  Buddies have themselves experienced the highs and the lows that come at the beginning of the doctoral process. They welcome new doctoral researchers, listen to them, give them information and tips, and introduce them to peer networks.
  
  3. What should not be expected of a buddy?
  Buddies can give tips, but they are not responsible for others' work and problem solving.
   
  4. Must I be able to speak German to register as a buddy?  
  No.  
  
  5. The semester has already begun. Can I still register?
  As a new doctoral researcher, you have time until 15.05. to register for the buddy programme. If you arrive in Münster at a later date, we recommend that you register for the buddy programme in the next round.