To Be Honest Conference for Researchers
TBH Conference 2025
Over two days on December 4 – 5, 2025 the fourth edition of the To Be Honest Conference brought together 16 speakers from research, science management, career development, start-ups, and the private sector, all sharing openly on the theme Navigating Uncertainty in Academia and beyond.
More than 1,160 participants from 60+ countries and 450+ institutions joined, forming a diverse community and engaging in honest conversations across disciplines, systems, and expectations.
The next conference will take place in December 2026, with registration opening next autumn.
Who it is for?
- Researchers with a PhD or close to finishing one, including postdocs, group leaders, or professors;
- Professionals and decision-makers from academic institutions, funding bodies, or research policy.
What to expect?
- Peer exchange and expert advice
- Honest discussions about real challenges
- Concrete ideas and takeaways
- A supportive, cross-disciplinary community
While the focus is on the German research system, the questions, challenges, and perspectives discussed resonate far beyond.
Previous Editions
Navigating Uncertainty in Academia & beyond
The fourth edition tackled core questions of navigating research in an uncertain world, from short-term contracts and constant transitions to global instability and career planning, covering topics like coping with career insecurity, financial fitness, academic networking, entrepreneurship, LinkedIn for researchers, and effective grant strategies.
The Future of Academia: Hands-On Ideas and What Can Be Done Today
The 2024 edition tackled central career questions: the future of academia, fixed-term contracts, barriers to advancement, authentic visibility, career strategies in the humanities and social sciences, employer expectations beyond academia, and how selection committees make decisions.
Inconvenient Truths in Academia and How to Deal with Them
Topics in 2023 included academic career steps and leadership roles, transitions beyond academia, navigating German bureaucracy, building visibility and networks, balancing research with personal life, and the use of digital tools and AI in research.
Myth Busting & Career Advice
The first edition in 2022 centered on myth-busting around grants and publications, careers beyond academia, starting out as a group leader in Germany, academic politics, discrimination and power abuse, and good mentorship. It also offered practical career advice and tips for navigating the academic system.
Our Partners:
The To Be Honest Conference is supported by AlumNode – Your network by Klaus Tschira Stiftung and possible by funding from the foundation Klaus Tschira Stiftung.
