Once the decision to do a doctorate has been made, there is usually more than just magic at the beginning. Such a big project as writing a dissertation – whether it’s cumulative or monographic – needs to be planned. Your daily work routine has to be independently organized and a high number of tasks must be structured in manageable sections. Unexpected obstacles require a lot of flexibility by simultaneous high pressure to complete the dissertation in an appropriate time. Potential funding organizations expect not only a promising project, but also a well-organized work plan. The more realistic you plan your dissertation, the more relaxed you will be able to master upcoming challenges.

9:00 am – 11:00 am (introductory talks and discussion):

As part of a collegial exchange, our speakers will give you valuable insights into the highs and lows of their own qualification phase. They will present their work and project plans and give you helpful tips along the way.

12:00 pm – 4:00 pm (group work, optional):

In the afternoon, you will also have the opportunity to work on your work and project plans together with other doctoral candidates (in German or English). Please register separately via gshs@uni-mainz.de by December 8, 2026 if you would also like to participate in the afternoon session and submit your time and project plan by this date.

For GSHS members (junior members, full members and guest members), prospective doctoral candidates and doctoral candidates of humanities and social sciences.

In a collegial exchange, our speakers will report on their personal experiences according to their work and project plans during the dissertation process and will give you helpful suggestions for a successful progress of your qualification phase.