On 28.08.2024, the new doctoral student representation of MLU Halle-Wittenberg was constituted. Five new members and one member from the previous team will represent the interests of doctoral students for the next two years. Elected were Sarah Mämecke (Phil-Fak III), Kevin Boge (Economics/Juri. Fak.), Felix Stütz and Nora Blume (Theologische Fak.) (not in the picture) as well as Janet Russell and Alan van Keeken (Phil-Fak II). Boge was delegated as a permanent member of the University Senate, while Mämecke is the spokesperson for the doctoral student representatives.
The new team thanked the previous members for their two years of work under difficult conditions: They had done important groundwork as the first doctoral student representatives and had managed to ensure that they were now known at the university and were invited when important issues arose. Benita Schmitz, who did not stand for re-election, will take over the representation of MLU Halle-Wittenberg at the Federal Association of Doctoral Candidates for a transitional period.
Issues relating to content and organization were also discussed at the constituent meeting. For example, the new members agreed that it would not be possible to take on tasks and launch campaigns to the same extent as the last committee with a much smaller group. At this point, the doctoral student representatives are calling on all doctoral students – regardless of their mandate – to get involved in the work of the committee and to sign up for our newsletter, for example, or to get involved in regular events such as the Get Togehter. It was also unanimously decided to lobby the University Senate for a shortened term of office of one year in future in order to make the office more attractive in the future.
Nevertheless, plans were made for the coming legislature. The new committee wants to become active on social media and start a test run for a “retreat” in the new year. The aim is to offer a concentrated working space in a pleasant setting where doctoral students can work on their dissertations in “co-presence”. Workshops and lectures on productivity techniques and academic writing are planned as part of the supporting program.
Photo by Thomas Michael