Research stay in Cambridge

Where and how long were you during your research stay?
I was at Cambridge Judge Business School from April to June 2022 at the invitation of Lucio Sarno.

How did the research stay come about? How much time has passed from the first idea to implementation? Were there any hurdles in planning your stay?
Lucio is one of the most renowned researchers in the field of international financial markets and gave the Bundesbank Lecture at the faculty last year. I wanted to get to know an international research environment in order to gain new impulses for my work. Therefore I asked Lucio about the possibility of a research stay. After that, it was very uncomplicated. Lucio was very helpful and organized everything else in Cambridge. In September, I received the confirmation that I could come in the summer term. Financing  was secured by the TU Dresden and I got other subsidies, such as the Bundesbank Prize.

What can you tell us about your stay in Cambridge? How did the collaboration with a top-class researcher like Lucio Sarno work?
The research stay was the most exciting experience of my doctoral studies so far. In Cambridge, I had the opportunity to talk about my work with many other renowned researchers. Right at the beginning, I presented my current research paper in a seminar and received valuable feedback.  Even if this sometimes means rethinking some approaches and facing new challenges, my project has constantly developed over the time of my stay. In particular, the regular exchange with Lucio showed me that it is a great privilege to talk to people who are just as enthusiastic about a topic.  In summary, Cambridge offered a unique, inspiring research environment and I learned a lot from working with Lucio.

What experiences do you take back to Dresden?
In addition to valuable feedback and contacts with other researchers, the stay in Cambridge showed me how important it is to leave your own comfort zone and always be open to new things. An academic career brings with it a special dynamic that you should use sensibly to achieve your goals. I believe that even if most of the research takes place alone at the desk, it needs a village for excellent publications. In exchange with other doctoral students in Cambridge, I also became aware of the differences in the education system between Germany and UK. As far as financing is concerned, we enjoy a comparatively secure job. I think it is essential that these resources are used appropriately in order to remain internationally competitive.