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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 … ]

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.

26. May 2025

Stipends for doctoral students from the Federal State of Saxony-Anhalt 2025

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Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (MLU) biannually provides funding for scholarships. The funding comes from the Ministry of Science, Energy, Climate Protection and Environment of the State of Saxony-Anhalt. Start of the funding for this call is in the winter semester in October 2025.

  • Announcement of graduate scholarships for doctoral candidates according to the Graduate Promotion Act of the State of Saxony-Anhalt (in German):

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible applicants are those who

  • have demonstrated a special aptitude for academic work through well above-average study and examination results,
  • have completed a university degree,
  • are preparing for a doctorate at MLU,
  • present a scientific project that is expected to make an important contribution to research, and
  • are supervised by a (non-retired) university lecturer at MLU.

The scholarship can be applied for every semester. As a rule, it is granted for a period of three years.

Application via faculties

[ Read On … ]

15. May 2025

DFG Funding Opportunities: Walter Benjamin Programme (May 26, 2025 | online)

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This online talk focuses on the Walter Benjamin Programme of the DFG. Further details and the dial in link can be found at Info Talks on DFG Funding Opportunities for Research Careers.

  • Date: May 26, 2025
  • Time: 3:30 – 5:00 p.m. CET
  • Language: English

Please note: You can access the event via the link above without any password. The number of participants is limited to max. 1,000.

About Prospects: Online Talk Series on DFG Funding Opportunities for Research Careers

[ Read On … ]

29. Apr 2025

PhD Network Round Table (May 7, 2025)

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The next PhD Round Table will take place on Wednesday, 7th of May 2025, 7 pm at Blaue Stunde at Martha-Brautzsch-Straße 10. As always, you can meet other PhD students and postdocs as well as PhD Network staff at the monthly get-together and network.

  • When: May 7, 2025, meeting from 7 pm
  • Where: Blaue Stunde (Martha-Brautzsch-Straße 10, 06108 Halle)

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.

22. Apr 2025

[BEAM] AI portraits of pioneering women in science

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Pioneering Women – female scientists whose skills and contributions to science were not recognized during their lifetime –

With the help of Gesine Born from the Bilderinstitut and an artificial intelligence, the Research Training Group BEAM is able to portray them as they deserved and as their male colleagues were lucky enough to experience.

Spokesman D. Hinderberger and science communicator G. Born in front of an AI generated image of Agnes Pockels.
[ Read On … ]

22. Apr 2025

[Falling Walls Foundation] From PhD to Impact Innovator (June 12-13, 2025)

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Ignite your entrepreneurial spirit!

In the two-day innovation workshop, tailored to researchers of all disciplines, you will discover your entrepreneurial skills. Guided by professional innovation coaches, you will develop ideas for a potential business case in small groups.

  • The workshop takes place on-site in Potsdam
  • on June 12-13, 2025
  • between 9.00 am and 5.00 pm.
  • Participation is free and no prior knowledge is needed.
  • Enroll until 05.06.2025
  • Link to website

With its “Young Entrepreneurs in Science” project, the Falling Walls Foundation offers a diverse workshop program for doctoral candidates and postdocs.


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