Events 2025

Effective Teaching in Higher Education

"Higher Education Didactics Workshop"

On October 21, 2025, the workshop “Effective Teaching in Higher Education” was held with the aim of improving teaching skills both in the classroom and the laboratory, as well as developing a comprehensive teaching portfolio. The participants explored their own pedagogical signatures and learned about different teaching methods, topics, and educators. They were also introduced to the history and science of learning and discussed various learning processes. Another major focus of the workshop was on how to structure curricula, manage workload, and design grading systems to maximize deep learning among students. A total of eight participants took part in this workshop.

Detailed programme

MAPEX Anniversary Symposium 2025

"Looking back, moving forward: 10 years of collaboration in Materials Science and Technology"

MAPEX has shaped and inspired research and innovation in materials and processes in Bremen for more than ten years. On October 8, 2025, this symposium brought together current and former MAPEX members and scientists of their working groups in the Forum at Domshof in Bremen city center. We looked back at significant achievements, highlighted ongoing research activities and shared visions for the future. Selected projects from an idea competition showcased the pathways towards new research themes and collaborations. During a podium discussion, experts shared and discussed their visions about “The Next Decade: Strategies for Advancing Innovation in Materials and Processes”. After a day of scientific exploration, we invited the registered participants to join us for a boat cruise dinner, where we were treated to a unique blend of science and art, featuring a scientist's insights into the development of instrument strings and a special musical performance.

Symposium website including programme and speakers

Early Career Researcher Networking

"MAPEX PhD Welcoming Event"

On 17th September 2025, we were pleased to invite new PhD candidates to the 1st MAPEX PhD Welcoming Event. The Early Career Researchers stemming from a wide range of disciplines, faculties and institutions, all engaged in materials science research topics, were given an insight into what MAPEX is all about and what it can offer in terms of a successful fulfilment of their doctoral studies and, beyond that, a successful career after graduation. The MAPEX Doctoral Qualification Programme and its specific and structured offerings, focusing on the enhanced development of professional skills and competencies, were introduced, as well as the services provided by the MAPEX Core Facility. 

We welcome all new doctoral candidates within MAPEX on their individual path to becoming a promising researcher in their field and research topics and wish them every possible success.   

Scientific Writing Workshop

"Scientific Writing in the Natural and Engineering Sciences: Towards Organization and Motivation"

The workshop, held on July 9–10, 2025, took a comprehensive approach to the writing process by offering a broader perspective that went beyond traditional technical writing skills. Participants not only focused on technical aspects such as structuring a scientific article and constructing clear and concise sentences, but also addressed issues related to writing productivity, developing effective habits and mindset, properly using tools to support their writing, exploring self-management techniques to stay motivated throughout the process, and discussing the impact of procrastination and perfectionism on writing. By covering all of these factors, the workshop provided participants with a well-rounded understanding of what it takes to be a successful writer.

Detailed programme

Science Blogging

"Science Communication Workshop"

Science Blogging was a powerful tool in digital science communication. Communicating science helped bridge the gap between specialists and non-specialists. Sharing research topics from the University of Bremen beyond campus enriched public understanding and appreciation of science. Furthermore, unlike fleeting social media posts, blog entries remained accessible online for long periods. In this course, held on July 8, 2025, participants received expert input, wrote their own blog posts, and got feedback. Successful blog posts were published on the University of Bremen's Science Blog.

Detailed programme

Science Communication Workshop

"Poster Design and Graphical Abstracts"

From April 1 to 3, 2025, in cooperation with Dr. Liesbeth Smit, Stephan Duin, and the MARUM Center for Marine Environmental Sciences, we offered a workshop focused on effectively communicating research through infographics, posters, and graphical abstracts. Participants learned how to create beautiful and impactful visuals to ensure their scientific work stood out and was clearly understood.

During the course, attendees explored best practices in science communication and design, laying a strong foundation for developing their science communication skills. They learned to consider the goals and target audience of their communication, mastered the essentials of good design, identified common design mistakes, and created their own visuals to successfully convey their messages.

Detailed programme

Science Communication Workshop

"Sketchnoting in Science"

The workshop on sketchnotes for academic purposes was organized in cooperation with the MARUM Center for Marine Environmental Sciences on February 20 and 21.

Sketchnotes are visual notes that combine drawings and text to quickly capture and present information in a clear and memorable way. They were introduced as a tool to illustrate meeting outcomes, visualize research objectives, and simplify scientific content for non-experts in various formats such as films, blogs, and presentations. The workshop emphasized the importance of focusing on essential elements, using simple drawings, symbols, and diverse text styles typical of the sketchnote approach.

During the course, participants learned to draw symbols easily, explored different typography styles, incorporated colors into their notes, and developed a collection of images. They also practiced integrating listening, observation, and drawing skills while experiencing various situations where sketchnotes could be effectively applied.

Detailed programme

Courses on Fundamental Competences

"AI Tools for the Academic Workflow"

This workshop provided a practical introduction to using artificial intelligence (AI) tools in academic research, particularly tailored for material science researchers of the MAPEX community. As AI tools, including large language models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT, increasingly became integral to academic and research workflows, this workshop aimed to explore their potential and risks. Participants explored a variety of tools for research, data analysis, literature research, and writing support. The workshop included hands-on sessions and tutorials to help participants apply AI tools to their own academic challenges in an informed and cautious manner.

Detailed programme

Science Communication Workshop

"Blog Posts and Press Releases"

Researcher have exciting topics and a lot to say. How can they communicate this outside their scientific community? PhD students from MAPEX and MARUM met on January 29, 2025, to take a closer look at this question. Communicating scientific methods and results outside of a scientific community, boosts reputation as a scientist and helps to increase trust in research. But how to balance science communication between labs, talks and papers? Blog posts and press releases are a good solution here. While social media posts quickly disappear in the daily traffic, blog posts and press releases remain online for a long time and are easy to find. In this workshop the participants learned about blog posts and press releases as a form of digital science communication. They received input, started writing and got feedback. Completed blog posts will be published on the science blog of the University of Bremen.

Detailed programme

Early Career Researcher Networking

"MAPEX PhD Welcoming Event"

On January 21, 2025 we were pleased to invite new PhD candidates to the 1st MAPEX PhD Welcoming Event. The Early Career Researchers stemming from a wide range of disciplines, faculties and institutions, all engaged in materials science research topics, were given an insight into what MAPEX is all about and what it can offer in terms of a successful fulfilment of their doctoral studies and, beyond that, a successful career after graduation. The MAPEX Doctoral Qualification Programme and its specific and structured offerings, focusing on the enhanced development of professional skills and competencies, were introduced, as well as the services provided by the MAPEX Core Facility. 

We welcome all new doctoral candidates within MAPEX on their individual path to becoming a promising researcher in their field and research topics and wish them every possible success.