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Communicate, Connect, Collaborate: Early Career Scientists Beyond Disciplinary Boundaries
This one-and-a-half-day, in-person workshop brings together early-career scientists from different disciplines and institutions for practical science-communication training, interdisciplinary exchange, networking, and collaborative proposal development.
Today’s researchers are increasingly expected to work across disciplinary boundaries, develop competitive proposals, and communicate complex ideas clearly; often within only a few minutes. This workshop offers a supportive space to practise these skills. Participants will refine a short research pitch and work in interdisciplinary groups to develop a mini-proposal, present it concisely, and receive constructive feedback from experienced researchers.
The workshop is aimed primarily at doctoral candidates, postdoctoral researchers, and other researchers in the early stages of their scientific careers.
Dates: 21–22 September 2026
Location: GFZ Potsdam – Telegrafenberg, Germany
Format: In person
Participation is free of charge, but places are limited. Priority will be given to applicants from Geo.X partner institutions. Applications from outside the Geo.X network are also welcome and may be considered if places remain available. Participants are expected to cover their own travel and accommodation expenses.
This workshop is funded by the Geo.X ECS Community Grant and supported by the IUGG, fostering possibilities of Early Career Scientists to connect to Berlin, Potsdam and beyond.
For priority consideration, please register by 22 August 2026. Registrations received after this date may still be considered, subject to availability.
Preliminary Agenda (Overview)
Monday, 21 September 2026 | 13:00–18:00
Science communication and research pitching
- Welcome and introduction
- Science-communication training and short research-pitch practice
- Telegrafenberg research campus tour
- Optional filming activity for interested participants
Participants will be invited to prepare a short research pitch before the workshop. Further guidance will be sent to selected participants.
Tuesday, 22 September 2026 | 09:00–17:30
Career stories and interdisciplinary proposal development
- Career stories behind the science: experiences, turning points, challenges, and lessons that are rarely visible in a CV
- Introduction to interdisciplinary proposal writing
- Interdisciplinary mini-proposal challenge in small groups with scientific advisors
- Preparation and presentation of short proposal pitches
- Feedback from a review panel
- Closing discussion and participant feedback
The detailed preliminary programme can be downloaded here. The final programme will be shared with selected participants before the workshop.
Additional Information
Camera-training exercise
The science-communication and camera-training session will be led by Dr. Katia Pinheiro, the invited trainer for this part of the workshop.
Participants will practise presenting their research in a short, understandable, and engaging format. The activity is intended to help participants become more confident when speaking about their work in front of a camera or to a non-specialist audience.
Participation in the training exercise does not require participants to be recorded. Any recording connected with the exercise will be voluntary, and participants who are interested will receive further information before deciding whether to take part. Recording will take place only with the appropriate consent.
Optional ECSNet interview
Separate from the camera-training exercise, Dr. Pinheiro will offer interested participants the opportunity to volunteer for a short filmed interview for the ECSNet webpage.
This interview is completely optional and is not required for participation in the workshop. Indicating interest in the registration form does not constitute consent to filming. Volunteers will receive further information about the interview, the intended use of the recording, and the relevant consent procedure before filming takes place.
More information is available on the ECSNet – IUGG Early-Career Scientists Network website, which includes ECS projects, interviews, and a video series.
Contact
For questions about the workshop or registration, please contact: Sahar Sobhkhiz-Miandehi