An established element of the promotion of young scientists by the National Research Platform for Zoonoses is the annual workshop for young scientists. It took place in October 2016 on the premises of the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Berlin-Jungfernheide.
The workshop is aimed at young scientists of the zoonoses platform. The aim of the workshop is to impart interdisciplinary skills that can promote a career in zoonoses research. In 2016, two parallel sessions were offered with the main topics "Scientific Writing" and "Introduction to interdisciplinary communication, presentation and collaboration". With 29 registered young scientists from various German universities, university hospitals and federal research institutions from five different countries, this year's workshop was completely booked out.
Good scientific writing - essential for a research career
The session "Scientific Writing" provided basic information on how to create, structure and build a scientific concept and how to use adequate formulations. But also tips and strategies for a correct literature research were addressed in the workshop. All exercise texts were adapted to the special needs of the participants.
Interdisciplinary cooperation - a core component of zoonoses research
The smooth transition of the individual disciplines in various research questions on zoonoses requires interdisciplinary cooperation in this scientific field. In order to prepare young scientists for the demands of networked zoonoses research, the second workshop session dealt with the "Introduction to interdisciplinary communication, presentation and collaboration". The individual aspects (communication, presentation and collaboration) were introduced and practiced in a combination of theoretical lectures and subsequent practical exercises by two specially trained trainers. The practical exercises were based on the participants' own individual scientific lectures.
A lively exchange between the participants and speakers during the workshops as well as during the joint evening events strengthened the networking of the young scientists. The premises made available by BfR also contributed to a pleasant atmosphere. At this point, special thanks are due to those responsible at BfR for the obliging and very pleasant cooperation.
Follow-up report on the 2016 organisational meeting
Directly following the workshop for young scientists, the organizational meeting of the young scientists* of the Zoonoses Platform took place in the afternoon of October 12, 2016, on the premises of the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) Berlin. The input and collection of suggestions and ideas for future activities in the promotion of young scientists was extremely productive and fruitful, which may also have been due to the balanced mixture of new and established participants.
At this point, special thanks to the participants as well as to Mrs. Laura von Berg for reserving rooms at the RKI.
