Programme details and current dates

We are planning to start our Peer-NaWi in the winter semester 2021/2022.

Depending on your decision for or against pusuing a doctorate, the programme takes 6-18 months and is divided into three stages:

• Stage 1 (months 1-6) supports orientation and decision-making: do I want to do a doctorate?
• Stage 2 (months 7-12) supports the entry into the doctoral process.
• Stage 3 (months 13-18) supports networking and dealing with challenges.

Stage 1

The first stage focuses on information and advice. With the information event on how to embark upon a doctorate and the advice services offered by the Graduate Centre, participants receive support in reflecting  their motivation and in making a decision for or against a doctorate. In order to get an impression of how everyday doctoral life might look like, a mentor will accompany them throughout this stage and the rest of the programme. The participants can also attend workshops and seminars of the Graduate Centre in order to prepare their doctorate. The first stage starts with a kick-off event. As part of the coaching by the Graduate Centre, participants will develop their individual profile of competencies, which they can use for their further professional orientation and career choices regardless of their decision.

Stage 2

In the second stage, participants support each other in the format of "Kollegiale Beratung" (collegial counselling) (offered by LEHRE+). The aim here is to offer the participants an opportunity to work out individual solutions to the challenges of starting a doctorate with their peers and thus to expand their own problem-solving strategies. The advisory services offered by the Graduate Centre are still available on a demand-oriented basis, now with a focus on coaching. Depending on the subject area and research field, some participants may need or want to prepare an exposé (e.g. to apply for a scholarship) during this stage. To support these processes, the Graduate Centre regularly offers workshops on exposé writing, work techniques, work organisation and self-management.

Stage 3

The third stage supports participants in expanding their network and gaining a foothold in the academic environment at the University of Passau. The focus of this stage is the transition to the research phase of the doctorate. Competencies and skills required for a successful research process are promoted through workshops. In these, participants also learn strategies for dealing with typical challenges during the doctorate. Also, participants can continue to take advantage of the peer counselling and the support of their mentors, as well as individual coaching at the Graduate Centre, if required.