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The Academic Survival Toolkit

We warmly invite you to our Workshop Day on September 30, 2026, taking place at the Haus der Universität, Schlösslistrasse 5, 3008 Bern.
The day offers different modules covering a wide range of topics relevant to your academic career. One module runs as a full-day session, while four are offered as half-day sessions, giving you the flexibility to tailor the day to your interests and needs Morning sessions • Module 4 – Resilience & Mental Health in Academia • Module 7 – Science Communication Afternoon sessions • Module 3 – Research Data Management & Open Science • Module 4a – Resilience & Mental Health in Academia Full-day module • Module 5 – Scientific Presentation
Please note: if you opt for the full-day module, this will be your only module for the day. If you choose half-day modules, you may select one morning session and one afternoon session.
Deadline: 31.08.2026

What is your first name?

What is your surname?

Email

Which institution do you belong to?

What is your academic level?

Lunch

Lunch is included for all participants. For organisational purposes, we kindly ask you to provide information about your dietary preferences and any allergies or intolerances when registering

Dietary preference

Allergies / intolerances

Other

Module selection

Module 3 — Research Data Management & Open Science / afternoon

This workshop will familiarize participants with basic concepts, tools, and good practices in open research data (ORD), linked open data (LOD), FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) etc. A hands-on component will also be included, enabling participants to apply these principles to a test dataset and gain practical experience for their own research projects. The aim is for participants to be familiar with key concepts and funders’ requirements in ORD and research data management, and to have basic tools at their disposal to process and publish their datasets according to current best practices of Open Science.

Module 4 — Resilience & Mental Health in Academia / morning

This interactive workshop addresses key stressors during the qualification phase in academia and explores practical strategies for prevention and maintaining mental well-being. Mental health is a key factor for sustainable academic careers and plays an essential role across a wide range of professional and personal contexts. The session combines practice-oriented input with exchange and exercises. Topics may include e.g., setting boundaries, work–life balance, dealing with conflicts, navigating different values and work styles, managing stress.

The workshop is designed to be flexible and responsive to participants’ needs and

interests. It will take place in small groups of up to six participants to encourage open discussion. Participants are invited to submit their topics, questions, and expectations in advance (to whom and till when?).

Module 4a — Resilience & Mental Health in Academia / afternoon

This interactive workshop addresses key stressors during the qualification phase in academia and explores practical strategies for prevention and maintaining mental well-being. Mental health is a key factor for sustainable academic careers and plays an essential role across a wide range of professional and personal contexts. The session combines practice-oriented input with exchange and exercises. Topics may include e.g., setting boundaries, work–life balance, dealing with conflicts, navigating different values and work styles, managing stress.

The workshop is designed to be flexible and responsive to participants’ needs and

interests. It will take place in small groups of up to six participants to encourage open discussion. Participants are invited to submit their topics, questions, and expectations in advance (to whom and till when?).

Module 5 — Scientific Presentation / full day

Academic presentations too often prioritize exhaustive content over clarity and impact. This workshop explores three interconnected pillars that transform how science is communicated. First, storytelling: the art of shaping research into a compelling narrative that guides the audience through a logical, emotionally engaging journey rather than a list of facts. Second, slide design: learning to simplify complex information, replace text-heavy slides with meaningful visuals, and structure content so that each slide serves a clear purpose. Finally, presentation skills: developing the confidence, voice, and body language to deliver a talk that holds attention, conveys authority, and leaves a lasting impression. Together, these three elements turn a good presentation into an unforgettable one.

Module 7 — Science Communication / Morning

This workshop introduces participants to the principles and practical skills of effective science communication, with a particular focus on communicating research through social media to broader public audiences. Participants will learn how to identify the core message of their research, translate complex findings into accessible language, and adapt their communication style to different formats. A hands-on component will help participants improve communication and develop concise messaging. The workshop will also address common challenges such as avoiding oversimplification, communicating uncertainty, handling controversial topics, and maintaining scientific credibility while reaching non-specialist audiences. The aim is for participants to become more confident, strategic, and effective communicators of their research. By the end of the workshop, they will have basic tools to engage constructively with social media, present their work clearly to public audiences, and contribute to a more informed public understanding of science while promoting their own work.

Second choice module (if first choice is unavailable)

Second choice — if your first choice is fully booked: green - morning sessions,red - afternoon session, blue - full day