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4. Jun 2025

Be sincere, not serious – Verspieltheit als Ressource in der Promotionszeit

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Einleitung

Spiel und Arbeit? Das sind doch zwei Gegensätze… oder? Arbeit nimmt einen großen Teil unseres Lebens ein. Doch wie wir sie erleben, kann sehr unterschiedlich sein. Ist sie vor allem eine Pflicht, die wir erfüllen, um unseren Lebensunterhalt zu verdienen? Oder kann sie auch eine Quelle von Kreativität, Freude und Erfüllung sein? Diesen Fragen möchte ich in diesem Blogbeitrag näher nachgehen.

Ich bin Rebekka Sendatzki, wissenschaftliche Mitarbeiterin und Doktorandin im Bereich Persönlichkeitspsychologie an der Uni Halle. In meiner Promotion forsche ich zur Verspieltheit, insbesondere im Arbeitskontext. Ich möchte herausfinden, wie sich Verspieltheit am Arbeitsplatz zeigt, wie sie gemessen werden kann und mit welchen anderen Merkmalen sie zusammenhängt.

In diesem Beitrag teile ich wissenschaftliche Erkenntnisse und persönliche Erfahrungen darüber, wie eine spielerische Haltung helfen kann, die Herausforderungen der Promotionszeit besser zu bewältigen – und dabei idealerweise sogar Freude am Prozess zu haben. Der Text richtet sich vor allem an Promovierende (oder die, die es werden wollen), aber auch an alle, die irgendeiner Form von „Arbeit“ nachgehen, sei es Erwerbs- oder Care-Arbeit. Vielleicht eröffnet dir dieser Beitrag eine neue Perspektive oder liefert konkrete Impulse für deinen Alltag.

Was ist eigentlich Verspieltheit?

Hören wir „Verspieltheit“, denken viele an Kinderzimmer, Freizeit oder Albernheit – selten an Arbeit oder Wissenschaft. Doch Studien zeigen, dass Verspieltheit auch im Berufsleben eine Ressource sein kann (Mainemelis & Ronson 2006; Petelczyk et al. 2018; Proyer & Sendatzki 2025).

In der Psychologie definieren wir Verspieltheit als Persönlichkeitseigenschaft, die unterschiedlich stark ausgeprägt sein kann. Verspielte Menschen können Situationen flexibel umdeuten oder umgestalten, sodass sie interessanter, unterhaltsamer oder geistig anregender werden (Proyer, 2017). Das bedeutet nicht, ständig Witze zu reißen oder albern zu sein. Verspieltheit ist kein Mangel an Ernsthaftigkeit, sondern eine alternative Art, Herausforderungen anzugehen und Arbeit lebendiger zu gestalten. Und Verspieltheit zeigt sich nicht nur in sozialen Situationen, sondern auch in unserer inneren Haltung: Wer mit kindlich-offenem Blick an Probleme herangeht, Perspektiven wechselt oder improvisiert, findet oft überraschend wirksame Lösungen.

[ Read On … ]

4. Jun 2025

Be sincere, not serious – Playfulness as a resource on the PhD journey

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Introduction

Play and work—surely opposites… or maybe not? Work fills a major part of our lives, yet how we experience it varies widely. Is it mainly an obligation that pays the bills, or can it also spark creativity, joy, and meaning? In this post I take a closer look at those questions.

I’m Rebekka Sendatzki, research associate and PhD candidate in personality psychology at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg. My dissertation explores playfulness at work: what it looks like, how we can measure it, and which other factors it relates to.

Drawing on research and personal experience, I show how a playful mindset can help you navigate the challenges of the doctoral phase—and ideally even enjoy the process. Although I write with doctoral researchers in mind, anyone engaged in any sort of work, paid, unpaid, or in-between, may find a new perspective or a few practical tips here.

What exactly is playfulness?

When you hear “playfulness,” you might picture kids, leisure, or silliness—rarely work or science. Yet studies suggest that playfulness is a genuine asset in professional settings (Mainemelis & Ronson 2006; Petelczyk et al. 2018; Proyer & Sendatzki 2025).

In psychology we define playfulness as a personality trait that differs from person to person. Playful people reframe or reshape situations, so they become more engaging, enjoyable, or mentally stimulating (Proyer 2017). That doesn’t mean cracking jokes nonstop. Playfulness isn’t the opposite of seriousness; it’s another way to tackle challenges and bring work to life. It shows up both in social exchanges and in our inner stance: approaching problems with child-like curiosity, shifting perspectives, or improvising often leads to surprisingly effective solutions.

[ Read On … ]

16. Jun 2025

Second funding period of Research Training Group approved

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Congratulations! The German Research Foundation (DFG) is once again funding a Research Training Groups (RTG) at MLU with around four million euros. This will enable the successful training of doctoral students from the fields of chemistry, physics, biochemistry and mathematics.

The Research Training Group “Beyond Amphiphilicity: Self-Organization of Soft Matter Via Multiple Noncovalent Interactions (GRK 2670)” is investigating a fundamental organizing principle for molecules: amphiphilicity. This is the property of substances to be soluble in both fat and water. Soap is a common example. In nature, amphiphilicity occurs as a universal building principle of molecules. It is often extended by giving molecules an additional charge or another atom. This creates interactions between the molecules that make complex structures such as proteins and polymers possible in the first place

Read more at press release 074/2025 from June 16, 2025 (in German).

13. Jun 2025

[JTC] The Spirit of Impact: Transfer and Entrepreneurial Mindsets (June 18, 2025)

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On Wednesday, 18 June, MLU’s Transfer and Entrepreneurship Office invites you to the event “The Spirit of Impact – Transfer and Entrepreneurial Mindsets”, taking place from 13:00 to 16:00 in Lecture Hall XIV a/b, Löwengebäude, Universitätsplatz 11.

We are pleased to welcome two inspiring guests:

  • Dr. Jan Heise, a successful science entrepreneur (NH DyeAGNOSTICS GmbH)
  • Dr. Alexander Klose, an experienced science communicator (e.g. Atlas of Petromodernity)

They will offer personal insights into their careers and convictions—exploring how science and the humanities can and should contribute meaningfully to today’s societies.

[ Read On … ]

12. Jun 2025

[PROTEOFORuM] Workshop – Getting Started. The path to a successful doctorate (July 14, 2025)

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This workshop is organized by the iRTG PROTEOFORuM.

The workshop ‘Getting Started. The path to a successful doctorate’ focuses on the critical elements for a successful doctoral journey: Which mindsets, tools, and processes make a real difference on the way to a PhD? We concentrate on three areas: The efficient organization of tasks and notes, the productive communication with supervisors and the research community, and the structured reading and writing of academic papers. Additionally, the workshop will introduce techniques for self-management to support productivity and well-being throughout the PhD journey. The specific agenda will be tailored to the interests of the participants to ensure the content is relevant and particular emphasis will be placed on strategies for participants to successfully transfer learnings from this workshop to their own work context.

[ Read On … ]

4. Jun 2025

[iDiv] What is Science, Really? Join iDiv in Shaping a Symposium

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Zarah Janda, PhD representative at iDiv, is planning a symposium on a big question: What is science—and what isn’t? She’d love your help bringing it to life.

Potential Topics:

[ Read On … ]

4. Jun 2025

[ULB] Fake Journals und Co. – Wege aus der Desinformationsfalle (01.07.25)

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Die Veranstaltung der Universitäts- und Landesbibliothek (ULB) beleuchtet das sogenannte Predatory Publishing, das ein wachsendes Problem im wissenschaftlichen Kontext darstellt. Fake Journals gaukeln Wissenschaftlichkeit vor, verzichten jedoch auf echte Qualitätskontrollen und täuschen sowohl Autor:innen als auch Leser:innen.

  • Datum und Zeit: 01.07.25 von 10:00-12:00 Uhr
  • Ort: online
  • weitere Informationen auf der Webseite der ULB

2. Jun 2025

PhD Get-together (June 19, 2025)

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The doctoral representation council invites all PhD-Students of the MLU Halle-Wittenberg to join the annual Get-Together in the summer semester. Share Your stories, your struggles and secret weapons (for finishing your PhD-thesis) and enjoy some drinks with Your PhD-representatives.

  • Where: SSR (Selbstverwalterer Studierendenraum), Adam Kuckhoff-Str. 34a, Halle (Saale) (Steintor Campus) (openstreetmap)
  • When: 19.06.2025, 5 p.m. till 8 p.m.

Free drinks and some snacks are available.

2. Jun 2025

Language café for German learners (every Wednesday)

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The MLU Language Center offers a language café for German learners every Wednesday from 17:00 to 18:00. The meeting point is the PULS Lounge, August-Bebel-Str. 13c. Here you can improve your German language skills and make exciting new contacts in a relaxed atmosphere.

  • When: every Wednesday from 17:00 to 18:00
  • Where: PULS Lounge, August-Bebel-Str. 13c (openstreetmap)

Pre-registration is not necessary, coffee and tea are on the house!

2. Jun 2025

PhD Network Round Table (June 4, 2025)

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The next PhD Round Table will take place on Wednesday, June 4, 2025 at 7 pm at Spielehaus. As always, you can meet other PhD students and postdocs as well as PhD Network staff at the monthly get-together and network.

  • When: June 4, 2025, meeting from 7 pm
  • Where: Spielehaus (Franckeplatz 1/Haus 32, 06110 Halle (Saale))

Spontaneous visitors are welcome, but in order to better plan seating, please send a short email to  if you are interested in attending.

Please check the PhD network website for further information.


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