In 2022, around 63,000 international researchers—accounting for 14.7% of the overall academic staff—were employed at German universities. Needless to say, they contribute to teaching and research in important ways, not only in our local laboratories. To improve access to our Lab Lunch Lecture, a digital event series organized by the D2C2 project team, the next events will be held in English. Please spread the news about this change among your colleagues.

The first English-language Lab Lunch Lecture will take place on December 17, from noon to 1 p.m. Experimental physist Dr. Cynthia E. Heiner (Dahlem Center for Academic Teaching, FU Berlin) will describe a Natural Science skills-focused lab at the University of Leeds. In this interdisciplinary lab, science students learn how to apply their own disciplinary knowledge – and communicate it – in a broader context.  This dynamic space not only enhances their technical skills but also replicates the collaborations necessary to address complex, real-world scientific challenges.

Intentionally turning the lab into a place for creative exploration and away from the traditional, cook-book style labs intended to re-affirm theoretical knowledge marks a paradigm shift in STEM education. These spaces are uniquely suited to teach students how to formulate research questions, design and refine experiments, and master data collection, analysis, and presentation. Emphasizing creativity and critical thinking, students are given the opportunity to troubleshoot, generate research questions, and explore innovative solutions. By focusing on the process of experimentation, students learn that there is no “good data,” only more precise data.

More information on the program of the Lab Lunch Lectures and access links to the monthly venues (via Zoom) are provided on our website under Lab Lunch Lectures.

If you have any questions or comments, please contact Gesine Wegner: