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GrACe | Graduate Centre

Campus der Universität Bielefeld
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Doctoral Researchers' Day 2026

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  • Logo of the Graduate Centre

Target group

  • Doctoral researchers
  • ​Academic staff interested in doing a doctorate but have not yet started
  • Students considering a doctorate

The Doctoral Researchers’ Day is aimed at individuals from all disciplines and experience levels within the doctoral career phase.

A Day for Information, Network, and Interdisciplinary Exchange

On 8 July 2026, the GrACe | Graduate Centre at Bielefeld University hosted the second Doctoral Researchers' Day. Around 240 doctoral researchers and prospective doctoral researchers from all faculties took the opportunity to gather information, network, and engage in interdisciplinary exchange.

The event was opened by Rector Prof. Dr. Angelika Epple, who reflected on the changing conditions under which doctoral researchers conduct their work today. In his keynote, "Writing a Dissertation in the Age of AI," Prof. Dr. Benjamin Paaßen explored the opportunities and limitations of generative AI in research.

About the day

A series of parallel info sessions addressed key aspects of pursuing a doctorate, covering topics such as orientation and funding, the use of generative AI, accessibility, mental health, and career pathways both within and beyond academia. An info fair held at the Student Service Centre complemented the programme by providing valuable insights into doctoral programmes and the University's support services.

A highlight of the day was the Info Fair held at midday in the Student Services Center. Various doctoral programmes and science-supporting services presented their offerings, providing ample opportunities for informal exchange and one-on-one consultations - all accompanied by a light lunch in a relaxed setting.

Please share your feedback on the Doctoral Researchers' Day 2026 here. Thank you for helping us improve future events!

We would like to express our sincere thanks to all participants, speakers, contributors, and supporters whose commitment made the Doctoral Researchers' Day 2026 another successful occasion for networking, information sharing, and interdisciplinary exchange. We look forward to welcoming everyone again next year for another day of inspiring encounters and valuable new perspectives.

Impressions of the Doctoral Researchers' Day on 8 July 2026

  • Flyer Doctoral Researcher's Day 2026.
  • Casual conversation between two people.
  • Frontal view of the “Health Management” stand with three representatives.
  • Consultation situation at the “ZLL” stand.
  • Overallview from the location.
  • Semi-close view of the BITs space stand with two representatives.
  • Counseling situation atthe GrACe stand.
  • Half close-up of a conversation.
  • Stand of the doctoral office medical school OWL with two representaives.
  • Half close-up of a representative of the BiSEd Graduate Network and two persons to be advised.
  • Half close-up of the movement programm.
  • Half close-up of a conversation.
  • Half close-up of two representatives of the FSZ in front of their stand.
  • Half close-up of a conversation in front of the buffet table.

Programme & Info fair

Programme Part I

09:45 a.m. | H12
Arrival & Check-in

10:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. 
Welcome & Opening Remarks: In between: Doing a PhD in changing environments (EN)
Prof. Dr. Angelika Epple, Rector

10:15 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Keynote (EN)
Prof. Dr. Benjamin Paaßen

Writing a dissertation in the age of AI
It may appear that the academic system is overwhelmed by large language models (better known as 'AI'): power users announce ever more complex workflows on LinkedIn, seemingly outcompeting all other academics in terms of productivity, dozens of guidelines are released by scientific institutions with more or less connection to reality, and ardent critics recognize (not without reason) the signs of emerging fascism, brainrot, and slop in the AI hype bubble. How to navigate this situation as a PhD student? How to write a dissertation in the age of AI? The talk aims to provide some orientation: what are LLMs, actually? What can actually be achieved in research with such systems? To which degree is healthy distrust recommended? And what could a responsible (non-)use look like, in line with good scientific practice?

Benjamin Paaßen is Junior Professor for Knowledge Representation and Machine Learning at the Faculty of Technology. Their research focuses on domain-informed, explainable, and interpretable machine learning, most importantly for education. Recently, they co-founded the research network on AI and digital autonomy in research and education (AIDARE) and, as part of the project KI-Akademie OWL, engaged in science communication about the limitations of AI.
 

11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. | Student Service Center
PhD Networking: Getting to know each other across disciplines (EN & DE)

11:45 - 01:15 | Parallel Info Sessions | Part I
 

11:45 - 01:15 | Parallel Info Sessions | Part I

1. A PhD – the right thing for me? (EN) | Student Service Center

The doctoral phase varies greatly depending on the field of study, personal circumstances, the people involved, and the relevant regulations. This info session provides an initial overview of the necessary first steps, decision options and possible pathways of the PhD process at Bielefeld University.
Pia Ortwein | GrACe | Graduate Centre


2. Using generative AI tools in your PhD – possibilities, limits & legal framework (EN)

The first part of this joint presentation gives a general introduction to generative AI in an academic context, also discussing common misconceptions and structural limitations of AI systems. The second part explores the legal framework governing the use of AI in doctoral research, focusing on the limits of categorizing AI use as academic misconduct, the role of the specific research project and supervisors, and good scientific practice.
David Timothy Barber | Dezernat Studium und Lehre & Dr. Benjamin Angerer | ZLL
 

3. Promotion barrierefrei gestalten – forschen, lehren, teilhaben (DE)
Die Veranstaltung richtet sich an alle, die eine Promotion planen oder bereits promovieren und sich für Fragen von Behinderung, chronischer oder psychischer Erkrankung und Barrierefreiheit im Hochschulkontext interessieren. Vorgestellt werden Unterstützungsangebote, Fördermöglichkeiten, rechtliche Rahmenbedingungen und Impulse für eine barrierefreie Lehre. 
Michael Johannfunke & Janina Theismann | Zentrale Anlaufstelle Barrierefrei 

4. Should I Stay or Should I Go? – Making an Informed Career Choice for PhD Researchers (EN)
In this interactive workshop we examine the key criteria for a successful decision making process regarding an academic career—or against it. You will develop a personalized decision framework that takes your personal values, skills, and needs into account and highlights concrete next steps.
Dr. Julia Koppmann &  Eva Osterloff | Career Service (ZLL)

01:00 p.m. – 02:30 p.m. | Student Service Center (UHG A0/B0)

Lunch break with an info fair featuring doctoral programmes and science-supporting services (EN & DE)

Science-supporting services:

 

Doctoral programmes

02:30 - 04:00 | Parallel Info Sessions | Part II

1. How to make a living while pursuing a PhD (EN) | Student Service Center

In this information session, prospective doctoral students will receive an overview of options for financing their living expenses during their doctoral studies. From traditional research assistant positions to full scholarships.
Pia Ortwein | GrACe | Graduate Centre

2. Mental Health in Doctoral Life: Let’s talk about it (EN)

The path to a PhD is shaped not only by progress and achievement, but also often by pressure, self-doubt, setbacks, and challenges to mental health. These experiences often remain invisible, even though many doctoral researchers share them.This session offers space to reflect on the realities of doctoral life from different perspectives, with a particular focus on mental health and academic culture. Alongside brief inputs and insights from the Bielefeld Questionnaire on Working/Study Conditions and Mental Health, the main focus will be on exchange, connection, and shared reflection among doctoral researchers. Relevant support services and contact points at the university will also be highlighted.
Zita Deptolla & Mats Huwendiek | Health Management

3. How to get funding for your academic career after your PhD (EN)

Research and research positions (i.e. jobs after your Phd) are usually paid for by third party funding agencies such as the DFG or ministries. We’ll briefly introduce ways to find funding options, then look at the main elements of grant applications and the mistakes you really don’t need to make when writing them.   
Dr. Martina Pauli | GrACe | Centre for Advanced Researchers

04:00 p.m. – 05:00 p.m. | Student Service Center
Closing session with table topics, drinks & networking (EN & DE)

Information Session for Prospective Doctoral Researchers in Teacher Education
8 July 2026 | 16:30–18:00

Following the Doctoral Researchers Day, the BiSEd-GraduiertenNetzwerk offers an information session for those interested in pursuing a doctorate in teacher education.

Informationsveranstaltung für Promotionsinteressierte im Lehramt
8. Juli 2026 | 16:30–18:00 Uhr

Im Anschluss an den Doctoral Researchers Day bietet das BiSEd-GraduiertenNetzwerk eine Informationsveranstaltung für Promotionsinteressierte im Lehramt an.

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