Mentoring and workshops

Building meaningful professional relationships, learning from experienced researchers, and developing transversal skills are essential for navigating a successful career.

Beyond the research internship, WISER offers a comprehensive learning experience through mentoring and two workshops on transversal skills. Guidance from PhD mentors provides participants with valuable insight into academic research and personalized support throughout the program. The workshops help students develop essential professional and scientific competencies that complement their technical knowledge. Together, these components equip students with the confidence, skills, and network to support their future professional journeys.

Mentoring 

Within WISER, each participant can choose a female PhD student as their mentor, who accompanies them throughout their research internship. This close connection provides ongoing guidance and support, giving students a trusted person they can turn to with questions about PhD life, day-to-day research culture, and the transition from Bachelor-Master studies to graduate-level study. PhD students serve as approachable contacts who can share their own experiences, offer advice, and provide recommendations on how to make the most of the internship and prepare for the next steps in an academic career.

For Bachelor students considering a future career in research, this direct connection is particularly valuable. It offers a realistic perspective on what life as a PhD student is like, including the challenges, opportunities, and expectations that come with pursuing advanced studies. It also helps participants build confidence, gain motivation, and better understand the pathways, habits, and decisions that can support a successful transition toward graduate studies and a potential research career.

Workshop on “Recognise, respond, reclaim: owning your voice in STEM”

Science and research thrive on people with diverse experiences, perspectives, and ways of thinking. However, not all students feel equally confident speaking up, sharing their ideas, or seeing themselves as future scientists.

This interactive workshop will help participants recognise their strengths, build confidence in navigating challenging situations, and learn how to support one another in STEM environments. Through practical activities and realistic scenarios, participants will explore how to communicate their ideas, contribute effectively to discussions, and respond constructively when faced with different perspectives, expectations, or communication styles.

Workshop on “Scientific communication”

The ability to communicate scientific ideas effectively is an essential skill for every researcher and a valuable asset in any professional career. Whether presenting research findings to specialists, collaborating with colleagues from different disciplines, or explaining complex concepts to a broader audience, clear and engaging communication plays a key role in creating impact.

The communication workshop will be tailored to the format of the presentation at the Research Symposium. Students giving an oral presentation will learn how to structure their message and communicate in a clear, memorable, and engaging way through effective storytelling techniques. Those presenting a research poster will receive practical guidance on designing visually compelling posters, organizing scientific content effectively, and capturing the attention of their audience.