Mission of the Graduate School
The KIT Graduate School Cultures of Knowledge (CuKnow) at the KIT Center Humans and Technology (MuT) connects PhD students from the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and engineering at KIT and offers a place for inter- and transdisciplinary exchange, learning, and research. Members critically analyze and question "knowledge" in research and society, engaging in dialogue with public stakeholders. MuT is a platform that facilitates interdisciplinary research on human-technology relations in the context of transformation processes.
What does the education and training program look like?
The Graduate School offers excellent doctoral conditions through a comprehensive education and training program in three areas:
Idea
- On a voluntary basis
- Person explicitly from another discipline
- Qualified feedback on content, but also on strategic aspects of the PhD
- PhDs actively approach a mentor
Implementation
- List of mentors at CuKnow
- We provide a neutral protected space for the meeting
- Intensity of the exchange is agreed upon bilaterally
Why become a member of CuKnow?
- Formation of interdisciplinary networks between doctoral students
- Awarding of short-term scholarships for the application phase and final phase of the doctorate as well as support in the acquisition of further funding
- Supportive mentoring by a professional supervisor from another discipline
- Participation in courses of the Karlsruhe House of Young Scientists (KHYS) and other graduate schools to promote scientific work and interdisciplinary exchange with other doctoral students
- Professional qualification in one's own discipline through assignment to an area of specialization
- DocRetreat (MayDay) as an annual event and centerpiece of interdisciplinary collaboration within the graduate school
- Financial support in the form of travel budget, purchase of software licenses, etc.
- Certificate at the end of the doctorate
Travel Budget
In the future, the Graduate School Cultures of Knowledge can award grants for travel at home and abroad. Each enrolled member of CuKnow can apply for an annual budget of max. 750,- € for travel expenses/conference costs. During the entire period of membership in the Graduate School, up to € 3,000 per PhD student will be funded if sufficient funds are available. Travel must be in relation to the respective dissertation or research project.
A business trip application must be submitted for each trip. KIT reimburses transportation, accommodation, daily allowance, conference costs, etc. as travel expenses.
Here is the link to the most important information and the handout on the state travel law.
CuKnow-Scholarships
The KIT Graduate School CuKnow is awarding short-term scholarships for CuKnow members. The funding is intended to further strengthen inter-institutional interdisciplinary collaboration in the CuKnow Graduate School. Th application period for the first round has ended on 15.06.23. There will be a second round in the fall for the scholarships starting Jan. 1, 2024. If you have any questions, please contact Christina Benighaus.
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.
Organizational Structure
Spokesperson
Prof. Dr. Ingrid Ott
+49 721 608 - 45257
ingrid.ott∂kit.edu
Co-Spokesperson
Prof. Dr. Darko Jekauc
+49 721 608 - 45725
darko.jekauc∂kit.edu
Coordination
M. Sc. Carolin Ibelshäuser
+49 721 608-44235
carolin ibelshaeuser∂kit edu
M. Sc. Anna Keitemeier
anna.keitemeier∂kit.edu
The organizational structure of the Graduate School is divided into a Board of Directors, a Steering Committee and a Coordination.
The Board of Directors forms the executive committee at the organizational level and manages the day-to-day business. Four elected representatives of each disciplinary pillar, Principal Investigators (PIs) represent the disciplinary program externally.
The Steering Committee is composed of elected PhD students from the Graduate School. Each disciplinary pillar (historical, social, institutional, and global culture of knowledge) is represented by a student. This committee meets semi-annually and advises the Board. The latter, upon request and in collaboration with the PIs and the Steering Committee, approves the annual program and is also responsible for finances and the admission of new PhD students.
The Coordinators take over organizational tasks (planning of events, preparation of the annual program, external presentation) and thus advise the PhD students to the board and the steering committee.
Spokesperson
Prof. Dr. Ingrid Ott
Center Humans and Technology (MuT),
Chair in Economic Policy (ECON)
+49 721 608 - 45257 (Telephone)
ingrid.ott∂kit.edu
Co-Spokesperson
Prof. Dr. Darko Jekauc
Head of the Health Education and Sport
Psychology Department (IfSS)
+49 721 608 - 45725 (Telephone)
darko.jekauc∂kit.edu
Coordination
M. Sc. Carolin Ibelshäuser
Center Humans and Technology (MuT),
Coordinator KIT-Graduate School
„Cultures of Knowledge“
+49 721 608-44235 (Telephone)
carolin ibelshaeuser∂kit edu
M. Sc. Anna Keitemeier
anna.keitemeier∂kit.edu