What does this award mean for you?
This award offers me the opportunity to further develop and enhance skills and competencies central to a career in the social sciences. The approval of this grant also signifies recognition of my research and teaching experience. I feel motivated to continuously improve and enhance my research activity and teaching competency so that I can qualify for academic positions in the future. I am grateful to the Cluster of Excellence for their support and recognition.
What does it mean to work in a Cluster of Excellence and what specific opportunities have been offered to you as an early career researcher?
Since 2019, the IntCDC Cluster of Excellence has brought together a multitude of dedicated and motivated researchers to conduct challenging research projects. Thanks to this interdisciplinary research environment, I was able to acquire the competencies to work on extensive research projects. This interdisciplinary structure has allowed us to reflect on, and evaluate research findings from various perspectives and discuss them with all involved stakeholders.
During my PhD, I receive a lot of support from Prof. Dr. Cordula Kropp as well as from my colleagues. I also experience encouragement from the cluster’s research network and have already received financial resources for my education plans. A major influencing moment for my PhD was a three-month research stay at NTNU in Trondheim, Norway, which was made possible by the Cluster of Excellence. Through this research stay, I was able to meet inspiring researchers with whom I am still in contact and start to form an international research network.
What are your next plans?
I will be submitting my dissertation in a few months and I hope to complete the PhD process successfully by the end of the year. The approved funds will allow me to attend courses and events this year that will help me to plan and prepare for my future research activities.
