Networking
In addition to the mentoring and training opportunities, another part of TANDEMplusIDEA is the establishment of a network of high-potential scientists. (Read more about the network of scientists participating in TANDEMplusIDEA.)
In the course of the programme there are two formal Networking Events with prominent speakers, one each in London and Zurich. They provide an excellent opportunity for participants to exchange information and to develop new contacts on a formal and informal basis.
The first Networking Event took place in the beginning of June 2008 at Imperial College London. Between 05. - 06. June, mentees, mentors, international speakers and project partners gathered in the British capital to exchange information on career paths and communication strategies. The first day started with a lunch and get-together, before Prof. Andrea E. Abele-Brehm (University of Erlangen-Nuremberg) gave an interesting presentation on male and female career steps. The programme then continued with statements by international male and female career staff. Prof. Maria Belvisi (Imperial College London), Prof. Monica Gotta (University of Geneva), Prof. Lina Sarro (TU Delft) and Prof. Richard Templer (Imperial College London) provided an insight into their individual career paths and were open for discussion with the participants. The day closed with a Networking Dinner.
On Friday, 06. June mentees took part in the seminar “An Introduction to Intercultural Communication for Scientists: How Culture Impacts Academic Leadership Style”. Trainer Alexia Petersen explained cultural differences in communication processes, and provided tools and guidelines to pre-emt miscommunication and bridge cultural gaps. The mentees very much appreciated the theoretical background and practical case studies. As many of them work in international teams, they actively discussed problems and challenges of being a supervisor in culturally different working groups.
Click here to get an idea of the first TANDEMplusIDEA Networking Event.
The second Networking Event at ETH Zürich began on 11 March with lunch and an informal get-together. After welcoming words by ETH’s rector Prof. Dr. Heidi Wunderli-Allenspach and an introductory session, the moderator Prof. Dr. Christine Färber presented the programme for the afternoon. In a World Café with the title “Taking Your Career One Step Further” male and female experts were available for questions and answers with the participants. Prof. Dr. Ralph Müller, Prof. Dr. Julia Vorholt, Prof. Dr. Viola Vogel, Prof. Marloes Maathuis PhD (all ETH Zürich) and Dr. Carmen Leicht-Scholten (RWTH Aachen) gave an insight into their knowledge on the topics External Funding, Leadership, International Careers, Dual Career Couples and Mentoring. The lively discussions were continued at a Networking Dinner to which the programme organisers welcomed additional guests from ETH Zürich.
The following two days the programme continued with a seminar on Negotiation Skills and Conflict Management. The topics proved to be important issues for the mentees which was also reflected in the final evaluation. Besides the input given in the training and the positive peer mentoring effects, the group valued especially the open and pleasant atmosphere in the seminar facilitated by Prof. Dr. Christine Färber.
The meeting was the final event of the mentoring programme TANDEMplusIDEA. The farewell, however, was only temporary, since all participants will meet again at the project’s international conference “Going Diverse” in October 2009.
