Strengthening scientific exchange: Journal Club at the RTG

A Research Training Group should be more than just a group of researchers working side by side - this is the philosophy we live by, especially in the interdisciplinary Boysen-TU Dresden-Research Training Group. Looking beyond one's own discipline is essential for solving complex problems and is now to be promoted even more strongly through the introduction of the Journal Club.

At the Journal Club, scientists meet to present current publications to each other and discuss them. This not only allows the status of research to be continuously monitored, but also creates space for a critical examination of the process of scientific work and publishing. The methods used and the quality of the data can be critically scrutinized and the context of the publication examined. In this way, the fellows' judgment of others' and their own work is sharpened.

At the Boysen-TU Dresden-Research Training Group, the Journal Club also strengthens the connection to the overarching common theme of hydrogen. As doctoral students from a wide range of disciplines select and present publications, the many facets of the topic are highlighted.

© Boysen-TUD-GRK

The new format was kicked off by doctoral student David Schreuder (Project E2) on April 25, 2024, who first explained the principle of the Journal Club and presented initial ideas for its implementation. For example, the journal article will be sent to everyone in advance so that all participants can get to grips with it and develop initial questions. After the initial ideas on this, which will of course be adapted as required in the course of the further application of the format, he presented a publication on the underground storage of hydrogen and its potential in Germany. The topic appropriately followed on from the previous day's excursion to the Bad Lauchstädt Energy Park (RTG reported) and was the subject of lively discussion. A second meeting of the Journal Club is already being planned for the near future. It will be interesting to see which topic will be discussed then.