The Graduate School of the Department of Health and Sport Sciences organized a Winter School for doctoral students at the Darmstädter Haus in Hirschegg. From March 16 to 20, 2025, around 25 doctoral students, including Julia Schwender and Lisa Hepperle from our unit, traveled to Kleinwalstertal on the German-Austrian border near Oberstdorf.
International guests
As tutors, Prof. Dr. Joachim Hermsdörfer, Head of the Department, and Prof. Dr. Felix Ehrlenspiel, head of the Dr. phil program, gave the doctoral students tips and feedback on their current research projects. International guests Vanessa Wergin, now working at the Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane/Australia and alumni of the Sport Psychology Unit, and a doctoral student from the Norwegian Sport University were also present.
Presentation and discussion of own doctoral project
Prior to the event, each participant wrote an abstract of their work, as is customary for scientific conferences. Participants could choose between a presentation and a peer review. Most doctoral students used the presentation to present their study design or initial results and then discuss them in the group. This provides them with important support and targeted feedback in the initial phase of their project. A scientific article had to be submitted for the peer review.
Keynote on collective team collapse and workshop on qualitative research methods
As further input this year, Dr. Vanessa Wergin gave a keynote on “team performance and collective team collapse” and she also gave an interactive workshop on qualitative research methods, which provided a good insight into qualitative research. Furthermore, doctoral student spokespersons Lisa Stauch and Vasanthi Subramonia Pillai introduced the Graduate Council, which represents the interests of doctoral students, and answered questions from participants.
As part of the supporting program, all doctoral students had the opportunity to try out winter sports such as skiing, cross-country skiing and tobogganing in Kleinwalsertal. Unfortunately, the snow conditions were not so good, but that did not detract from the fun on the slopes in the beautiful sunshine. All in all, it was another very successful event that promoted exchange between doctoral students and we were able to take away valuable feedback for our doctoral projects.