*Tbh-Conference 2024
Welcome and Closing Sessions Day 1
Tbh-Conference 2024: Career Real Talk with Experts from Academia & beyond
After the successful conference in 2023, this year you saw the third edition of the Tbh-Conference.
The Opening Session set the tone for two days of honest and transformative discussions, while speakers emphasized the importance of creating a positive vision for academia while confronting systemic challenges, encouraging active engagement and collaboration, while the wrap ups summarized the key learnings and actionable strategies participants could take with them.
Speakers 2024
We invited peers and experts who know about the challenges of the (German) academic system first-hand and openly shared their experiences and learnings.
Find out more about them on our event page 2024.
To be honest,…
…if you are confused or frustrated, remember, that you are not alone!
…there are role models out there willing to help. Reach out to them.
…you have agency – be proactive and connect!
.. share your experiences, engage with your peers, and use platforms for building connections!
Opening Session: The Future of Academia? Hands On Ideas and What Can Be Done Today!
The Welcome Session of the To Be Honest Conference 2024 brought together a diverse panel of academics to discuss key challenges and opportunities in academia:
Elena & Martin R. Lichtenthaler of Mighty Real hosted an interactive, impactful and fun conversation!
Leo Kurian & Prof. Dr. Sabine Becker recently appointed professors who try to do things a bit differently.
Tracy Wietecha, who represents postdocs as elected spokesperson of Max Planck PostdocNet.
Prof Dr Robert Lepenies, president of the Karlshochschule International University with an unconventional, but successful approach to leading a university.
and Deniz Kumral, a postdoc with an international perspective and Fellow of our KT Boost Fund.
The session addressed:
Leadership in Academia: Speakers reflected on the complexities of academic leadership, balancing administrative responsibilities, mentoring, and research.
Systemic Challenges: Topics like racism, sexism, and classism within the academic system were candidly discussed, emphasizing the need for collective awareness and systemic change.
International Perspectives: Deniz Kumral and Leo Kurian shared their experiences navigating academia in different countries, highlighting cultural contrasts and systemic hurdles faced by international researchers in Germany.
Visibility and Networking: Robert Lepenies spoke about using social media, like TikTok, to humanize academia, while others emphasized the importance of in-person networking and creating informal advisory boards for personal and professional growth.
Personal Journeys: Tracy Wietecha shared her transition from the U.S. to Germany, explaining how personal and professional priorities shaped her career choices. Sabine Becker discussed navigating multiple roles while working on visibility beyond just her research contributions.
Closing Session Day 1: Taking the Lead in Your Academic Career
The Close-Up Session of the To Be Honest Conference 2024 was a reflective conclusion with takeaways and a space to digest insights from the event.
Facilitated by Elena and Martin R. Lichtenthaler, the session revisited central themes of Anne’s and Birte’s Sessions “WissZeitVG!? Everything You Need to Know (or Didn’t Dare to Ask) About the German Academic Fixed-Term Contract Act” & “Glass Ceilings in Academia and What You Can Do About Them”.
The session highlighted:
Career Self-Management: Building on earlier discussions, participants were encouraged to take ownership of their career trajectories, leveraging tools such as mentorship, professional development resources, and tailored networking strategies.
Navigating Uncertainty: Elena reflected on the importance of maintaining adaptability in the face of systemic and personal challenges, emphasizing the value of setting realistic yet ambitious goals.
Community and Collaboration: Participants shared stories of how the conference fostered new connections and collaborations, underscoring the importance of academic communities in driving change and providing mutual support.
Actionable Next Steps: The facilitators urged attendees to identify one actionable goal to implement immediately after the conference, whether pursuing a new collaboration, revising career strategies, or engaging in dialogues about systemic change within their institutions.
Our Partners
The tbh-conference was supported by AlumNode – your network by Klaus Tschira Stiftung, and made possible by funding from the foundation Klaus Tschira Stiftung.
