More than 85 IGSSE doctoral candidates have come together from May 6th to 8th for the recent IGSSE Forum at the TUM Science & Study Center in Raitenhaslach. This year’s topic "Science and Leadership in Democracies in Distress" allowed for a critical discussion of their roles as scientists in democratic societies and reflect on a possible contribution to a more cohesive society.
Leadership Through Science
Where do early career researchers already leave a mark through their actions? What activities suit them personally, as a doctoral candidate, to form their research projects, their work environment, scientific culture or the dialogue with society? Guided by professional coaches, the researchers delved into nuanced roles of leaders of the scientific community in bridging societal divides.
Throughout the three-day Forum, participants explored a variety of topics, including leadership styles, conflict resolution, and societal impact in group sessions. An integral part of the program was the poster presentation segment, where attendees showcased their scientific posters and engaged in discussions highlighting the interconnection between leadership and societal cohesion.
The program also included activities designed to promote teamwork and community spirit, such as a meme competition and outdoor photography. These activities provided a relaxed environment for participants to build connections with peers.
Celebrating IGSSE Graduates
As the event’s social highlight the gala dinner was the perfect occasion for IGSSE Director Barbara Wohlmuth to award recent IGSSE graduates Mohammad Al-Qadi ("Advancing water resources management in arid regions through stakeholder engagement, digitalization, and policy integration: Jordan as a case study"/Chair of Hydrology and River Basin Management (Prof. Disse); P2005 / INE2) and Kevin Korfmann ("Simulation-based Modeling of Biological Traits and Inference from the Ancestral Recombination GraphSubject"/ Associate Professorship of Populationsgenetik (Prof. Tellier); 14.10 / GENOMIC) with their IGSSE certificates complementing their Doctoral Degree Certificate.
Overall, the IGSSE Forum 2024 served as a catalyst for meaningful dialogue and action-oriented thinking aimed at nurturing one’s own scientific and responsible leadership in today's democracies. We look forward to the next IGSSE Forum on 5th-7th of May 2025!