This was followed by a scientific session which included a two minute elevator pitch talk and a poster presentation where half of the participants introduced and explained their research.
After lunch break the retreat continued with a discussion in World Café format to discuss four main topics:
1. Gender/Diversity/Family (life) work balance
- Are you aware of gender bias, do you think your male colleagues/bosses are aware
- Which measures would you consider effective for improving/achieving gender equality
- How to plan your own career effectively (considering potential gender bias, dual career, geographical separation)
- How to organize your work effectively
- Are there measures available to support family friendliness, work-life balance?
2. Future employment models
- How would you envision your ideal position?
- What should positions in the German ‘Mittelbau’ look like?
- How should more experienced scientists working on temporary contracts be referred to (e.g. senior scientists?)?
3. Career development
- What do I think I personally need for my career development?
- What is your career goal?
- Do you think that your career goal is realistic?
- What would be the preconditions for a successful academic career?
- Do you think you need to sacrifice something for an academic career and if so what?
- Which measures should Future Ocean offer to promote individual careers?
4. Networking/individual visibility
- How can I increase my own visibility in the community?
- How can I get involved with networks, how does this promote my career and how can I get there?
After the discussion all participants went to visit a stone-age grave and for a walk on the Baltic coast.
After dinner Ruth Kamm (Coordinator for Gender Measures in the Cluster), Ralph Schneider and Martin Visbeck (Co-Speakers of the Cluster) joined for a joint discussion of the World Café topics. The lively discussion ended after midnight.
Day 2 started with a second scientific session (2 min. elevator pitch talk & poster session) where the second half of the participants presented their projects.
The retreat ended with a general discussion and with the IMAP coordinator presenting support and funding options to postdocs within ‘Future Ocean’.
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