The aim is to provide you with a basis for information and reflection, on the basis of which you can make a conscious decision in favour of or against a doctorate. It is important to us that you make a choice that suits you and that you get to know other like-minded female students who have similar questions, motivations and doubts. This alone supports the decision-making process and the planning of the next steps.

The programme runs for 6 months. At the heart of the programme are the small group meetings with a doctoral candidate as mentor. The groups of 4 to 6 students meet regularly in a confidential setting and discuss the topics of their choice with their mentor. The group decides independently where and how often the meetings take place. At the beginning of the programme, there is a kick-off event and an introductory workshop to get to know each other and set goals. There is an official closing event at the end of the programme. You can find a timetable here.

In addition to the small group meetings, workshops on finding a topic, funding options for a doctorate and an application workshop are offered.

All female students who are in the final phase of their studies and want to think about whether a doctorate is the right thing for them can take part in the programme. The final phase is not precisely defined; some students think about an academic career later, others earlier. Those interested can clarify in advance with the programme coordinator whether participation at this stage is sensible and beneficial.

General prerequisites for participation are interest and willingness to actively participate in the programme. This includes, above all, participation in the peer groups and attending the individual events of the programme.

As a participant, you will answer the following questions in a semester-long process:

• "Does a doctorate correspond to my own career aspirations and goals?"
• "Am I qualified enough to do a doctorate? How can I qualify and prepare myself?"
• "How important is perseverance?"
• "What are the first steps once I have decided to do a doctorate?"
• "How can I be financed during my doctorate?"
• "What career prospects does a doctorate open up for me?"

Important: We do not offer specialised advice. You must compare the information you have gained with your own rules and framework conditions in your intended doctoral subject.

The small groups are divided up by the programme coordinator. We make sure that they are as heterogeneous as possible in terms of subject areas. People who already know each other well are assigned to different groups so that all members have the same starting conditions. This gives all mentees an insight into other disciplinary cultures and expands their own network through new, interdisciplinary contacts.

The mentors are doctoral candidates who have been doing their doctorate for at least one year. Most of the mentors have already taken part in a mentoring programme as a mentee. They are prepared for their role as a mentor in a workshop.

Writing Competence Centre

Doctoral studies at the UPB

KW Graduate Centre

Guide to the doctorate

Doctoral funding

Vacancies for research assistants at UPB

Mentees receive a certificate of participation at the end of the programme. Participation in "Insight!" can be recognised for the upb+ certificate from Career Services and for the health passport meinbeneFIT@upb.de!