Walk & talk sessions

© CERes

Target group: doctoral researchers, postdocs

Take a refreshing break from your desk or lab and immerse yourself in nature with our walk & talk sessions for doctoral and postdoctoral researchers. These offer you a relaxed opportunity to network across disciplines, share experiences, and talk about relevant topics while enjoying the fresh air and the beauty of the Botanical Garden.

The meeting point is outside, in front of CERes (Schlossplatz 6). After a short impulse on the day’s topic, we will walk to the Botanic Garden in small groups.

Objectives:

  • Talk about relevant topics in a relaxed, outdoor setting.
  • Connect with peers from diverse departments and share experiences to strengthen professional and personal networks.
  • Value breaks, nature, and the slow pace of walking to recharge and refocus.

Facilitator: Sabine Schneider (CERes)

The language of the event title indicates the language in which the event will be delivered.

  • Tue, 14 April 2026, 10:00–11:00 / Navigating your doctoral journey: University resources and peer perspectives

    Join us for an engaging and informative walk in the beautiful Botanical Garden and kick-start your doctoral journey with us! You'll have the opportunity to learn about support structures at the university, connect with fellow doctoral researchers from diverse disciplinary backgrounds, and get your questions answered in a relaxed outdoor setting.

  • Mi, 13.05.2026, 11:00–12:00 / Produktiv – und trotzdem freundlich zu sich selbst?

    Wann haben Sie sich zuletzt wirklich produktiv gefühlt? In Academia wird Produktivität häufig mit Leistung und messbarem Output gleichgesetzt – das bekannte „publish or perish“ ist vielen Forschenden vertraut. Doch Produktivität kann auch heißen, aus sich selbst heraus zu schaffen: eine Erfahrung von Selbstwirksamkeit, die Kreativität, Neugier und innere Motivation stärkt. 
    Dieses Verständnis lässt sich gut mit dem Konzept der Selbstfreundlichkeit (self-compassion, Neff 2003) verbinden. In dieser Walk & Talk Session möchten wir gemeinsam darüber nachdenken, welche Bedeutung Produktivität und Selbstfreundlichkeit im wissenschaftlichen Kontext haben – und wie Forschung davon profitieren kann, wenn persönliche Ressourcen und Wohlbefinden ebenso wichtig genommen werden wie messbare Ergebnisse. 

  • Wed, 17 June 2026, 11:00–12:00 /  Talking about how we talk: Using meta-communication to navigate cultural differences

    Have you ever found yourself wondering what your supervisor actually means – or why a colleague’s feedback sounds so direct or strangely unclear? In this walk & talk session, we'll explore how cultural backgrounds shape communication in academia and how meta-communication – talking about how we talk – can help us recognise and address misunderstandings early, clarify expectations and intentions,  and strengthen both the supervision relationship and the intercultural team collaboration.

Registration

If you would like to attend this event and it is already listed as fully booked, you are welcome to join the waiting list. It often happens that registered participants cancel their attendance, which frees up places. The free places are allocated in the order of the waiting list registrations. If places become available within 72 hours before the start of the event, we will inform several people on the waiting list at the same time. These places will then be allocated on a "first come, first served" basis.