7. Summer School Doc+ 2024

TU Austria Summer School Doc+ offers a great opportunity to improve your scientific writing skills within five days. Additionally, you will increase your team skills and benefit from exchange of information and experiences with colleagues from the TU Austria Universities.

Target group: PreDoc students from the three Austrian universities of technology
                          (TU Wien, TU Graz, Montanuniversität Leoben)

Location: Vienna, TU Wien Karlsplatz 13, Seminarraum AE U1 – 5

Date: 16.-20. September 2024

Setting up the week: Welcome and Introductions
16 Sept, 10:00-13:00

• Welcome and summer School orientation
• Get to know each other activities
• Agreeing shared commitments for the week
• Identifying open questions and ideal outcomes from the week

Geraldine Fitzpatrick
Emeritus Professor TU Wien, is an awarded Human Computer Interaction/Informatics researcher, teacher and leader, with international experience leading groups in academia, industry and healthcare. Her work is now focussed on how to craft better research cultures and enable researchers to bring their best selves to their great work. She has experience delivering consultancy, speaking, training and coaching internationally for over 15 years on issues around academic career development and leadership development. She also hosts the Changing Academic Life podcast series.

• http://igw.tuwien.ac.at/hci/people/gfitzpatrick
• https://www.changingacademiclife.com
• https://geraldinefitzpatrick.com

Storytelling and structuring a scientific paper
16 Sept, 14:00-17:00 and 17 Sept, 09:00-17:00

What will we focus on

• How to plan your writing project to be more efficient and write a better text.
• How to develop a storyline for your manuscript.
• How to convey your scientific messages in a good to understand and conclusive way.
• What information in each section of a paper – abstract, introduction, method, results, discussion/conclusion – and how to present it there.
• The perfect journal for your paper, how to submit and how to deal with journal comments.

How to prevent or solve writer’s block 

Storytelling and structuring a scientific paper (continued)

How we will work

• Theoretical input including exercises (text analysis)
• Analysis and improvement of YOUR own texts: Storyline clear and conclusive?
• Scientific messages well explained and convincing? Does you text raise interest? Etc.
• Group work, group discussion and lots of room for all your questions!!

Eva Müller
Ph.D. biologist with many years practical experience in scientific research and science writing. Works as science writer and prepares manuscripts for companies, hospitals and research institutes. Teaches science writing at national and international universities, hospitals and research. www.lifescience-texte.de

Navigating your PhD journey
18 Sept, 10:00-16:00

The overall focus of this day is on how to navigate the challenges of the PhD journey and how to bring your best self to your work. 

The format will be highly interactive. Specific topics will be driven by the interests and needs of the participants.

Examples of topics that could be addressed include:

• How to manage the imposter and perfectionist
• How to enhance your own wellbeing
• How to work in teams

Geraldine Fitzpatrick

Looking at the language and talking about your text
19 Sept, 09:00-17:00 and 20 Sept, 09:00-15:00

What we will focus on

• Writing a good English sentence (word order)
• Producing a paragraph that flows (linking)
• The great art of streamlining and cutting redundant words
• Enhancing readability (think of your reader)
• Talking about your work: a good way to improve your writing

How we will work

• Workshop setting: we will check and improve YOUR texts!
• Text analysis: what makes a text smooth and readable?
• Group discussion: your experience and challenges
• Handouts for practice and reference (useful tips)
• Theoretical input (grammar) as required in context

Verena Brinda

Freelance conference interpreter, speech-to-text interpreter, translator of texts from various fields, proofreader and copy editor.

Awarding of certificates – 20 Sept, 15:00-15:15

Evening program

Tuesday after Eva Müllers’ session a fireside talk with editors and/or reviewers is planned
Wednesday 16:30-open end: Geocaching through Vienna and joint dinner
Thursday Pub Quiz at Pointers

Application: Applicants must submit the following documents:

• Motivation letter
• English text you have written and you want to work on at the summer school.
• All application documents should be submitted in English and must be received no later than 31 May 2024. Please send the documents to the contact person at your university.

What type of text:

• The texts will be used for the two workshops Storytelling and Language.
• Bring a paper, poster, report, thesis, grant application, proposal etc.
• Either a short text (approx. 500 words), e.g. a short introduction, the conclusion, a figure plus results description etc. or a longer text, but then please indicate which part (approx. 500 words) you want to discuss in the two workshops.

We offer a second deadline for your updated texts: 1 September 2024

Accommodation

The following two hotels are recommended for participants who need overnight accommodation. Both hotels are located close to TU Wien. Please book the room yourself; costs will be covered by your university.

Costs: The respective university will cover costs for TU Austria Summer School Doc+ as well as accommodation, travel expenses (only public transport). For details please contact your respective contact person.