The Cluster takes numerous measures to promote the career development of its doctoral and postdoctoral researchers. It is our conviction that the most innovative project ideas emerge at the intersections between academic disciplines. Therefore, we provide different fora for interdisciplinary exchange. The Cluster’s Early Career Researchers are fully integrated in their respective departments, enabling them to build the solid track record in their home discipline needed for success in the academic job market.
Assembly of Early Career Researchers
The Cluster’s Early Career Researchers are organized in the Assembly of Early Career Researchers. The assembly meets on a regular basis to discuss issues relevant to the Early Career Researchers community. It also organizes yearly retreats, inviting external trainers and experts on issues such as communication skills. The assembly elects one or two spokespersons, who represent the interests of the Early Career Researchers on the Cluster Board.
Early Career Representatives
Theresa Wieland and Rebecca Strauch are the acting ECR representatives. As such, they are members of the Cluster Board representing the early career researchers. Theresa is an Independent Doctoral Fellow, while Rebecca is a Postdoc in the project "Climate Inequalities in the Global South: from Perceptions to Protest".
Code of Practice
For establishing a positive working environment, Early Career Researchers and Principal Investigators of the Cluster have agreed upon a "Code of Practice". It describes guidelines for the rights and responsibilities of each party, aims at cultivating a rewarding feed-back culture and offers orientation for an adequate balance between project and qualification work.
Person of Trust
In the event of conflict in the working relationship between Early Career Researchers and Principal Investigators, the Cluster Person of Trust can be called upon for confidential moderation and advice whenever third-party advice is considered beneficial.
The Person of Trust can be called regardless of the right to refer to the university ombudspersons. Therefore, the Person of Trust is complementary to the Ombudspersons for research for question of good scientific practice and the Ombudspersons for Doctoral Research on potential violations of the supervision contract between doctoral researchers and their supervisors.
Person of Trust: n.n.
Training
Each semester the Cluster offers a specific training program consisting of info events, workshops, and interdisciplinary roundtable discussions related to methods of inequality research and career development. For instance, as part of this program we have offered workshops on data visualization and project management, info events on data protection and support services for Early Career Researchers at the University of Konstanz, and roundtable discussions on publication strategies and on gaining visibility as a researcher. For the most recent program, please see here.
The University of Konstanz provides further measures to support the career development of Early Career Researchers. The Academic Staff Development unit organizes seminars and workshops to further improve research, teaching and management skills and offers coaching and career advice. The Research Support unit, in turn, offers advice on grant proposal writing and support in obtaining funding for research projects.