Networking and support for PhD students
ScienceFriday is a networking and educational initiative for PhD students in the field of media-related research. The regular meetings provide both structural and substantive support for the PhD candidates’ ongoing research projects. They promote networking between PhD candidates and researchers at the h_da, as well as with external academics. There is also scope for discussing current research topics, broader contexts and ideas.
Science Friday is open to anyone at h_da who is interested, particularly early-career researchers. The events are organised in close cooperation with the Institute for Communication and Media at h_da’s Media Campus.
Upcoming meetings
Visualisation of research findings (December 2026)
The fz dkmi and the h_da Graduate School are jointly offering the workshop ‘Visualising Research Results’.
The workshop is aimed at all PhD students (with prior knowledge of PowerPoint and, for example, InDesign). The focus is on academic graphics and diagrams, with basic design methods and principles being taught and explored in depth, both in theory and in practice. Participants will learn to use design elements effectively and to convey content from an academic context in a way that is clear and tailored to the target audience.
Date: 4 December 2026, provisionally 9.00 am to 4.30 pm
Speaker: Elisabeth Werner Elisabeth Werner, punktweiss
Venue: h_da, provisionally D.22/ 00.09
Language: German or English
Previously
Paper clinic & peer-to-peer reviewing (July 2026)
The discussion centred on current texts such as extracts from dissertation chapters, conference abstracts, academic articles, etc. Following an introduction to feedback and reading techniques, there were two rounds in a peer-to-peer format, so that everyone could both discuss others’ texts and receive feedback on their own.
Qualitative Methods (May 2026)
The workshop with Pia Helferich covered not only the fundamentals of qualitative research – that is, aspects such as transparency, emergent design, reflexivity and inductive or deductive approaches – but also the fundamental philosophical assumptions that underpin and determine the respective methodologies.
Research funding under the euT+ programme (May 2026)
In addition to the structure of European research collaboration, Dr Atif gave a special presentation on the European Sustainability Science Lab (ESS Lab+) and the European Culture and Technology Laboratory (ECT Lab+).
Introduction to Research Funding (October 2025)
To kick things off, the participants worked in small groups to develop research questions based on their shared interests. Following a brief icebreaker, Klara-Maeve O’Reilly provided an insight into the funding landscape and explained the key criteria for successful applications – such as topicality, relevance, clarity and a clear structure.
New Approaches to Interactive Teaching and Creative Facilitation (March 2025)
The workshop provided participants with an overview of interactive methods – including those from the Liberating Structures repertoire, as well as tried-and-tested facilitation and creativity techniques. The aim was to find new ways of involving students more actively in classes, making decisions more efficiently as a team and making collaboration more dynamic overall.
