Qualification program "Cultures of Knowledge"

Structure of the curriculum in three areas

  • Interdisciplinary roof: here the PhD students and PIs of the graduate school work together across disciplines
  • Disciplinary pillars: in this area, doctoral students strengthen methodological approaches and expertise in their field
  • Academic base: this is where the fundamentals of scientific and ethical work are taught

This structure ensures that the doctoral students

  • acquire general competencies for the successful completion of their research project, or doctorate, and further career path (academic and non-academic)
  • strengthen disciplinary competencies in their field and gain insight into a broader field of study
  • build skills in interdisciplinary collaboration.

Upon successful completion, i. e., active participation in each course, seminars, doc retreats, their own teaching, workshops, and participation in conferences in the three areas, they will receive an official certificate.

 

Structure of the graduate school and mentoring program

The program is composed of proposals from the PIs and suggestions from the PhD students. The members' own initiative is particularly encouraged. It includes a diverse range of courses and is tailored to the needs of the participants. Cooperation in the basic area takes place with the Karlsruhe House of Young Scientists (KHYS). External achievements of the doctoral students, for example with the EUCOR partners (trinational association of five universities on the Upper Rhine), EPICUR partners (a European association of nine universities) or participation in conferences, are credited to a certain extent.


The graduate school also provides an interdisciplinary mentoring program. For this purpose, the PhD students choose a person outside their own field from the Principal Investigators of the graduate school. Regular meetings ensure complementary mentoring with regard to research work and further education within the graduate school.

 

Interdisciplinary Roof

This program draws together the various knowledge cultures of the Graduate School and provides space for a discourse that is both professionally sound and cross-cutting at the same time. An annual Doc Retreat forms the core of the Graduate School. At least two participations during the doctoral phase are mandatory for the members. During the two days, doctoral students present their research to each other and develop ideas for further disciplinary and interdisciplinary projects in the Graduate School. Thus, the Doc Retreat is elementary for strengthening interdisciplinary collaboration and for the further development of the Graduate School. An annual lecture series on a yearly topic, held by the PIs and external speakers, complements the interdisciplinary umbrella. In general, PhD students are invited to organize interdisciplinary events on their own initiative: Study days, lectures, reading circles, etc. International collaborations are also encouraged.  

Disciplinary Pillars

Doctoral colloquia arranged within a department offer members a disciplinary exchange opportunity and space for methodological reinforcement of their own research work. Here, too, projects initiated by doctoral students are promoted for further events, e.g. study days or reading circles.

Academic Foundation

In the foundation program, basic qualifications for the implementation of a research project, the doctorate, are taught on the one hand, and on the other hand, competencies and components for further career paths (in the academic and non-academic sector) are created. For this purpose, the Graduate School CuKnow closely cooperates with the Karlsruhe House of Young Scientists (KHYS) and the KIT Academy for Responsible Research, Teaching, and Innovation (ARRTI).

Participation in the qualification program is in line with the objectives of the overall strategy formulated by KIT with regard to the qualification and promotion of young scientists. The program is designed for 3 years, but can also be completed more slowly if the doctorate takes longer. It is based on the recommendation of the DFG that a maximum of 4-5 SWS/year should be spent on qualification in addition to the doctorate. 1 SWS corresponds to approx. 1.5 ECTS (approx. 45 working hours).
Membership in CuKnow continues until the doctorate is completed or a withdrawal from CuKnow occurs. If the minimum requirements for the certificate are not met, a trimmed down certificate can be issued.
In general, doctoral students are invited to organize interdisciplinary events on their own initiative: Study days, lectures, reading circles, etc. International collaborations are also encouraged. The own organization of an event, seminar or workshop will be evaluated more extensively than if only "participating" in a seminar. The ECTS, therefore, depend on the degree of preparation and follow-up as well as the duration of an event.

Financial support

Travel budget

The Graduate School Cultures of Knowledge will be able to award grants for travel in Germany and abroad. Each enrolled member of CuKnow can apply for an annual budget of max. 750,- € for travel expenses/conference costs. Up to €3,000 per doctoral candidate will be funded for the entire duration of membership of the graduate school, subject to sufficient funds being available. The trips must be related to the respective dissertation or research project.

A business trip application must be submitted for each trip. Transportation, accommodation, daily allowance, conference costs, etc. are reimbursed as travel expenses at KIT.

Here is the link to the most important information and the Handout zum Landesreisegesetz.

 

CuKnow scholarships

The KIT Graduate School CuKnow awards short-term scholarships and provides job increases (Stellenaufstockungen) for CuKnow members. The funding is intended to further strengthen cross-institute interdisciplinary cooperation in the CuKnow graduate school. The first round of calls expired on 15.06.23. In 2024 there will be a second round for the scholarships/position increases with an award in 2024. If you have any questions, please contact Coordinator Carolin Ibelshäuser.

Cooperation with the PhD Program of ITAS

The Institute for Technology Assessment and Systems Analysis (ITAS) is the leading institute for technology assessment in Germany and worldwide. Here, a wide range of questions concerning scientific and technological progress are addressed in a multidisciplinary environment. The doctoral program at ITAS thus represents an opportunity to examine one's own dissertation project from different perspectives. ITAS and CuKnow have agreed that PhD students can each book the program of the respective school: the KIT Graduate School "Cultures of Knowledge" opens its program to all ITAS PhD students and vice versa CuKnow PhD students can participate in the program of ITAS.

 

Contact

Spokesperson

Prof. Dr. Ingrid Ott
Chair of Economic Policy
Institute of Economics (ECON)
ingrid.ott∂kit.edu
+49 721 608 - 45257 (Telephone)

 

 

 

Co-Spokesperson

Prof. Dr. Darko Jekauc
Head of the Health Education and Sport
Psychology Department (IfSS)
darko.jekauc∂kit.edu
+49 721 608 - 45725 (Telephone)

 

 

 

Coordination

M. Sc. Carolin Ibelshäuser
Center Humans and Technology (MuT),
Coordinator KIT Graduate School
„Cultures of Knowledge“
carolin.ibelshaeuser∂kit edu
+49 721 608-44235 (Telephone)

M. Sc. Anna Keitemeier
anna.keitemeier∂kit.edu