SynTrac iRTG Team Event 2025: Advancing Doctoral Research and interdisciplinary Collaboration
The Integrated Research Training Group (iRTG) of the SynTrac project recently held another successful training event to support the professional development of its doctoral researchers. From June 16 – 18, 26 doctoral students gathered in Fulda for a three-day retreat where they were joined by iRTG project leads Dr. Tobias Ring from TU Braunschweig and Prof. Stephan Staudacher from University of Stuttgart, along with Daniel Knuth from the SynTrac Management Office.
Focusing on its commitment to nurturing academic excellence and interdisciplinary collaboration, SynTrac hosted scientific writing workshop tailored specifically for doctoral researchers. The workshop focused on the early phases of research writing, offering both structured guidance and collaborative opportunities aimed at strengthening scientific communication within the consortium. The workshop was led by Dr. CJ Fitzsimons from Leadership Sculptor GmbH, an experienced coach in this field. Dr. Fitzsimons brought a unique blend of strategic insight and practical tools aimed at empowering early-career researchers to take ownership of their scientific writing process.
Held in a process-oriented format, the workshop emphasized both the development of scientific writing skills and the value of collaboration in research. By guiding participants through a structured sequence of reflective and interactive activities, it fostered individual insight while encouraging teamwork. The focus on the early phases of writing allowed participants to build a strong foundation for their interdisciplinary papers, setting the stage for effective co-authorship and clear communication.
One of the core benefits of the workshop was enabling participants to identify the central thesis and core claim of their upcoming publications—a key step in scientific argumentation. By working through project planning and title drafting exercises, researchers gained clarity on their objectives and began sketching the structure of their papers.
Photos: SynTrac
The workshop provided a productive environment for peer-to-peer exchange, deepened participants’ understanding of the writing process, and strengthened relationships across disciplines within the SynTrac consortium.
With this event, SynTrac continued its mission to provide tailored professional development opportunities that combine academic training with collaborative skill-building. The workshop not only advanced individual writing projects but also reinforced the consortium’s broader goal of fostering a vibrant, connected research community.
