This podcast supports current and prospective doctoral researchers at Freie Universität Berlin through every stage of their journey. Across its seasons, you’ll hear from researchers and experts sharing insights, advice, and experiences.

Season One – Starting a doctorate: We delve into the start of your doctoral journey. Through our interviews, we’ll explore whether pursuing a doctorate is the right choice for you and how to adapt to your new academic surroundings. Additionally, we’ll provide insights into the structures and other relevant topics for a good start.

Season Two – Doing a doctorate: Pursuing a doctoral project demands extensive knowledge and skills, with challenges evolving at different stages of the journey. Common issues will be addressed, such as writer’s block, mental health, and building and maintaining interpersonal relationships with your department’s faculty.

Season Three – Finishing a doctorate: Completing a doctorate can be just as challenging as starting one! Topics like publishing and defending your work will be covered. We also explore the German job market and the opportunities available to recent graduates who hold a doctoral degree.

Season Four – Good Supervision: Interviews with DRS: Award for Excellent Supervision winners will be conducted, aiming to discover what qualifies supervisors for the award and what sets them apart, what unique approaches they take, and whether they have any secret formulas for their success.

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When do new episodes release?

Our seasons are grouped thematically, not by release date, so we may release episodes from multiple seasons at the same time. Please check this page to stay up to date. We also release some podcast episodes on Spotify, so keep an eye out and follow us there!

If you would like to be informed about the release of a new episode via our newsletter, please sign up here.

Ideas? Questions? feedback?

If you have ideas for a future episode, questions about the podcast, or are looking for support during your doctorate, contact aleksandra.skoric@fu-berlin.de .