Portrait of Lisa Seelau

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In: Careers, Diversity, International, PhDlife, Science Communication, Students

Lisa Seelau is a HR specialist for personnel marketing and participates in the LGBTQ group at HZB. Diversity plays a big role in her everyday professional life. In this talk, she mentions how much a culture of openness and exchange about different perspectives enriches her. What is important to you when it comes to diversity? I firmly believe that diversity in a company brings new ideas and perspectives. It changes the view that has existed for a long time, the heteronormative view of the cis-white male. There are also numerous studies showing that diversity makes companies more successful. Diversity works best when there is trainingRead More →

Portrait picture of Nomi Sorgenfrei

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In: Careers, Diversity, International, PhDlife, Science Communication, Students

Physicist Dr Nomi Sorgenfrei develops methods and instruments for research with X-ray light at BESSY II at HZB and investigates catalytically active thin films herself. A conversation about privileges, diversity at work, and intersectional forms of discrimination. What is particularly important to you when it comes to diversity? The appreciation of all people with their different backgrounds, whether cultural, religious or gender. We all just want to have a good life and contribute to society. And it is very good when people with different perspectives contribute. At what points in your work does diversity play a role? Very practically in the daily encounter with peopleRead More →

Diversity: "You must be the change you want to see in the world"

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In: Careers, Diversity, International, PhDlife, Students

Everyone is talking about diversity nowadays. Every organisation is looking to be as diverse as possible. It is seen as a commercial success factor and is also often worn as a badge of honour. Diversity has already been written into many company guidelines and policies. In one wording or another, we read that diversity leads to better results, increases profits and secures innovation. And this is all true, of course. Yet, I often find that the claims being made are still too vague. It feels like maybe companies only start championing diversity when they can put a number on its added value. But diversity oughtRead More →

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In: Careers, Energymaterials, International, PhDlife

A research stay abroad that is well planned and executed can propel your advancement as a doctoral student. It also gains you valuable professional contacts and broadens your horizon. When doctoral student Erwin Fernandez somewhat stagnated with his experimental results, he was positively surprised what his co-supervisors in the project and a change of perspective could do for him. An interview by Ulrike Goldenblatt, Coordinator of HI-SCORERead More →

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In: Careers, Corona, International, Students

„If only we’d stop trying to be happy we’d have a pretty good time.“ Edith Wharton This topic is quite a controversial and also philosophical one. Let´s be honest here: we can´t guide you to fundamental happiness. There´s no neat trick that works for everyone. If so it would be a more peaceful and relaxed world. What we want to do is make you think. Because even if you´re totally against everything we will write down here: thinking about it may bring you a step further to your version of happiness. So join us on this ride! While being happy might be the ultimate goalRead More →

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In: Careers, Corona, International, Students

We often talk about heart and lung health, etc. but we seldom talk about brain health which is undeniably central to all our health. The brain is like any other organ. During our Mental Health Awareness month we actually talk a lot about stress. Stress is often portrayed as having only relatively short lasting psychological impacts, but it also alters the biochemistry happening in your body and especially your brain and therefore actually having also long lasting physiological impacts. So, if you properly take care of it, you will reap the most fulfilling benefits. As the renounced neuroscientist Dr. Daniel Amen [10] said:  When yourRead More →

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In: Careers, International, Students

Dear all, it is time for the second newsletter on mental health among doctoral researchers and mental health in science in general. In case you missed the first one, catch up here. This time, we are talking about the statistics. What does the data show regarding mental health in academia and research? How is the Helmholtz Association doing on the topic of mental health, according to the 2019 survey? We wrap up with pointing to some common stressors: how to recognize them in others and ourselves; as well as how to help those who experience these stressors. Last, but not least, we invite you toRead More →