Every year, Wageningen Graduate Schools (WGS) organises a one-day event for PhD candidates consisting of a carousel of 4 sessions with 6 workshops per session. The learning target of the WUR PhD is to become an independent practitioner of science, who is able to integrate the research within the framework of their scientific discipline and against the background of a broader scientific area, to place the research aims and research results in a societal context, and postulate concisely worded propositions in scientific and societal areas. Based on this vision, WGS created a model that focuses on skills development including five themes: A. Academic professional skills, B. Value for Society, C.Professional attitude, D.Academic Insights and Thinking and E Career perspectives, plus a miscellaneous category. The 1.5-hour workshops are divided into these themes and deal with elements important for PhDs and the PhD track. Workshops are either stand-alone workshops or teasers that give a taste of more elaborate courses and workshops organised by Wageningen Graduate Schools.
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A. Academic professional skills
- Research data management and scientific publishing in a changing world (Lecturers: Irene Verhagen and Joris Geurts - WUR Library)
During this session you will go on a Research Data Management (RDM) express ride. What is the difference between FAIR, and Open data? What is a data management plan? What constitutes good RDM practices? You will experience the importance of one of these practices during a short practical. By the end of the session, you'll understand what RDM entails and know where to find relevant information, support, and tools. - Open access publishing (Lecturers: Irene Verhagen and Joris Geurts - WUR Library)
Open Access is about making knowledge freely available to everyone, without financial or institutional barriers. But what are my options, and how can it be done cost-effectively while still complying with funder policies? Join us and learn about the different Open Access routes and tools! - Pitching your research (Lecturer: Lorraine Faulds)
Knowing how to present your idea in a convincing manner is an indispensable skill. Scientists must be able to explain their work effectively and memorably to non-specialist audiences as well as to their peers. This 1.5-hour workshop provides you with practical tools to develop both a compact and convincing message and inspiring delivery. You will discover creative approaches in delivering an effective pitch, learn vocal and performance techniques to engage and inspire an audience and to bring content to life. You will learn to: develop body language and voice skills to communicate powerfully, craft a captivating short pitch using examples and metaphors and explain in 60 seconds what the heart is of what you do and what the importance and relevance is or may be. - Essentials of scientific writing (Lecturer: Dr Edith Schouten)
Many writers find it difficult to create a clear narrative. They struggle not only with content but also with language. In the end, writers often sacrifice readability for content because they don’t understand how good writing works. In this workshop we’ll discuss the linguistic elements of clear writing, including good paragraph structure, sentence length, concrete vs abstract subjects, nominalization and general elements of coherency. After each discussion, we’ll do a short exercise to gain hands-on experience. - Starting to supervise BSc and MSc thesis students (Lecturer: Marieke van Schaik - WUR)
In this workshop you will be provided with some general information about supervising BSc & MSc thesis students at Wageningen University to prepare you for your role as a thesis supervisor. We will discuss expectations and basic skills to get you started. There will be room for exchange and questions.
B. Value for Society
- Relating research to society through social media etc To be added (Lecturer: Arnold van Vliet)
- Designing an attractive and effective poster (Lecturer: Iliana Boshoven-Gkini)
In this short workshop you will learn the basic design principles to elevate your poster and figure designs. With a few clear rules, your designs will guide your audiences on a clear journey, making complex scientific messages easier to approach and understand. - Storytelling for academics (Lecturer: Griet Coupé)
Researchers and academics struggle to communicate their research and experiences with society. Effective narrative tools like story can make this task more effective and enjoyable. A well composed story enables multi-disciplinary cooperation, successful funding applications, and positive interactions with the media. Structure is the foundation you need to tell great stories. Story structures can be as simple or as complicated as you want them to be, accommodating everything from Little Red Riding Hood to Game of Thrones. They can be used to put together a pitch or a grant proposal. Understanding story structure and how the parts fit together will help you craft and tell better stories in the future. In this interactive workshop, participants will learn a basic story structure that they can use to share their research with a broader public. Participants will see those stories in a different light when they are done and have a method for analysing stories they want to tell! - A safe society is of value for research To be added (Lecturer: Howard van Dodemont)
Explaining your research to an alien (Lecturer: Sylvia Brugman - Centre for Unusual Collaborations)
In this workshop, the Centre for Unusual Collaborations (CUCo) wants to illustrate the often difficult and slow, but fun process of interdisciplinary work. Participants of this workshop will experience disciplinary grounding and perspective taking, the first two necessary steps for successful interdisciplinary collaboration.
C. Professional attitude
- Personal effectiveness for the introvert professional (Lecturer: Karolien Koolhof)
This workshop addresses differences in personality and communication styles. Based on her own research, Karolien Koolhof will discuss the distinctions between introversion, ambiversion, and extraversion, as well as the various communication preferences. She will then connect this information to personal effectiveness. During the session, there will be ample opportunity for further exploration and questions. Participants will receive practical tools, and there will be plenty of room for discussion. - The Secret Struggle: Tackling Imposter Syndrome for PhD Students (Lecturer: Karolien Koolhof)
You're not alone—uncover the hidden challenge most PhD students face and how to overcome it. Gain insights and actionable steps to transform insecurity into empowerment. - Work-life balance (Lecturer: Geraldine Sinnema, Een Wereld van Verschil)
Develop self-management skills for organizing a healthy work-life balance.
Discover your energy sources and your energy leaks, both in your PhD and in your free time.
Choose healthy habits to implement and decide which not helping habits to break. - Managing your supervisor (Lecturer: Claudius van de Vijver - Graduate School PE&RC)
Ever have troubles with your supervisor? Would like to know how to tackle the issues you might have with your supervisor? This workshop deals with main challenges PhD candidates encounter with their supervisors and how best to tackle these.
D. Academic Insight & Thinking
- Addressing socioecological challenges with systems thinking: putting it into practice.
In this workshop, you will be introduced to the core principles of systems thinking and explore a variety of visual tools, including causal loop diagramming and value network mapping. A key part of the workshop will focus on putting systems thinking into practice. You will work on a real-world case study, build systems maps, identify leverage points, and develop key recommendations for action in small groups. We will conclude with a reflection on how systems thinking and systems mapping can support your research. - Critical thinking and argumentation in scientific research (Lecturer: Lara Minaard)
The most interesting conversation is a conversation in which you disagree with each other. In this workshop we will explore the tools to disagree and to facilitate fruitful conversation, both in speaking and in writing. You will learn the basics of argumentation and asking and answering questions.
E. Career perspectives
- Negotiations skills (Lecturer: Jonathan Nicklin)
Join us for an engaging workshop focused on enhancing your negotiation abilities. Through a blend of theory and practice, you’ll learn how to navigate negotiations with confidence and achieve favourable outcomes. - Job searching skills (Lecturer: Geraldine Sinnema, Een Wereld van Verschil)
Understanding the value of your achievements and transferable skills helps in the networking and application process.
In this interactive workshop we work on:
1) Self-assessment; key to finding your career,
2) Informational networking, an important too in the job search
3) LinkedIn as source of information about your personal job market - Entrepreneurship as a skillset for career development To be added (lecturer Nikita?)
- How to write engaging posts for social media (Lecturer: Liesbeth Smit)
Tired of “Happy to share…” posts that nobody reads? In this workshop you’ll learn how to write social media posts that people actually notice. You’ll discover how to go beyond paper announcements, write for any audience, and get lots of practical tips and inspiration for your next post.
F. Miscellaneous
- Design skills for powerful science communication (Lecturer: Liesbeth Smit)
Master the art of turning complex ideas into clear, visually compelling designs. Learn about the essential design principles, tools, and tips to create professional-quality visuals that communicate your research effectively
Inclusive leadership in international settings (Lecturers: Chizu Sato and Meghann Ormond)
This workshop supports you to explore your own leadership style and options to grow in working (more) inclusively in international settings. Mainly through exercises you will investigate aspects of inclusive leadership and position yourself within current notions on leadership versus management and various leadership styles. - Optimal GenAI use in your PhD (Lecturer: Tijmen Kerstens – WUR)
Building hands-on experience with generative AI tools for your PhD in an ethical manner. How do you optimize your GenAI use and maintain your scientific integrity?
