Workshops 2024/25
6 March 2025, 11.30am-12.30pm: Information meeting DSPL60 and VDTR
Every semester we organise an information event at which the Doctoral School and the DSPL60 are briefly presented. Staff from the SSC are also present at this event to answer questions about administrative aspects of the doctoral programme. Please register using the form, the event will only take place if at least five people register. Both enrolled doctoral students and interested parties are welcome!
Place: Schenkenstrasse 8-10, Seminarraum 2 (Ground floor)
24 March 2025, 1.15 to 6.15pm: Follow-up workshop - practice citing and creating a bibliography with us!
After the last VDTR workshop(s) on research methods and academic writing, you are invited to a follow-up practice session where we will work on our bibliographies. Even if you have not attended a VDTR Academic Writing Workshop yet, you are welcome to join.
The workshop will be facilitated by Julia Weingartler, praedoc assistant at the Institute of Canon Law and Law on Religion and Christina Dietl, praedoc assistant at the Department of Liturgical Studies and Sacramental Theology and will take place on site only.
What you need to know:
- We will practice citing and creating a bibliography according to the Citation Guidelines for Academic Works of the Faculty of Catholic Theology will be practiced. The guidelines are available in English and German here: https://lit-ktf.univie.ac.at/forschung/richtlinien-fuer-wissenschaftliche-arbeiten/ Please read them before you attend the workshop.
- Books and journals will be provided for practice. However, you are welcome to bring books, articles and sources that you need for your own work and to ask your questions.
- Please bring your own laptop (if possible).
- If you wish, we can give a short introduction to the citation software Citavi. and the principles of academic writing. However, we will mainly use the time to practice your academic writing skills.
- There will be coffee breaks :-)
Please register until March 17 via e-mail: contact.vdtr@univie.ac.at. (If you wish, you can tell us in the e-mail which issues/questions are particularly important to you.)
Place: Schenkenstrasse 8-10, Seminar room 2 (ground floor)
8, 15, 22 May 2025: VDTR Completion Workshop Series
Completing a major project—especially one as significant as your dissertation—is no small feat. The finish line is in sight, yet the path may feel less straightforward than you had anticipated or hoped. At the same time, completing your dissertation comes with a sense of loss: the project that has been your constant companion for so long will soon be behind you, along with the structure and direction it provided. So, how do you navigate these challenges and prepare for what comes next?
If any of this resonates with you, you’re not alone. This workshop offers a space to share your experiences, gain fresh perspectives, and receive practical advice. Designed around your concerns, it provides actionable insights, answers to pressing questions, and inspiration drawn from the experiences and best practices of your peers.
Self-organisation: (Self-)evaluation, Final Decisions, Final Efforts, Final Revisions
May 8, 2025 | 13:00 - 15:30
DSHCS meeting room (Spitalgasse 2, Hof 2.7, 2A-Z1-01)
As your project nears completion, motivation and self-organization often become more fragile. The initial excitement has long since turned into a demanding workload—introductions and conclusions still need to be written, to-do lists keep growing, and time estimates frequently prove to be optimistic at best. Meanwhile, deadlines loom at an alarming pace, yet clear milestones to structure your progress may be lacking.
Adding to the challenge, assessing your own work can be difficult: Is it good enough? How much more refinement is needed? Supervisor feedback becomes both essential and intimidating at this stage.
What we do in this session
- Identify common pitfalls in the final phase of a dissertation and how to overcome them.
- Explore practical strategies for time management, setting priorities, and maintaining motivation.
- Discuss self-evaluation techniques to help you assess your work with confidence.
- Develop approaches for structuring final revisions efficiently.
- Reflect on how to communicate effectively with your supervisor to get the support you need.
Through guided exercises, discussion, and shared insights, this session will help you refine your self-organization strategies, manage stress, and move toward a confident dissertation submission.
with Lea Pelosi
The Final Stretch: The Supervisor's Perspective
May 8, 2025 | 15:45 – 17:00
DSHCS meeting room (Spitalgasse 2, Hof 2.7, 2A-Z1-01)
What do supervisors expect in the final phase of a dissertation? What makes a strong submission, and what common pitfalls should you avoid? In this panel discussion, experienced supervisors share their perspectives on the final stretch before submission. They will discuss their expectations, offer guidance on best practices, and highlight key "do’s and don’ts" for completing your dissertation successfully.
with: Claudia Kraft (DSHCS); Gunter Prüller-Jagenteufel (VDTR)
Online Session: Final Formal Steps
May 15, 2025, 13:00 - 14:00
Learn about every administrative step necessary for the submission of your doctoral thesis and the registration for your defense.
with: tba
Preparing for Transition
May 22, 2025 | 13:00 - 15:00
DSHCS meeting room (Spitalgasse 2, Hof 2.7, 2A-Z1-01)
Defending your thesis is more than just a final academic requirement—it is a moment of commitment to your work. How do you want to present and highlight your key findings? What kinds of questions and critical remarks might arise from the reviews, and how can you position yourself effectively in response?At the same time, your defense marks a significant transition: you are no longer just a student but stepping into the academic world as a “mature” scholar. While preparing for this milestone, you also need to look ahead—what comes next? The future may feel uncertain, as continuity in academia is not guaranteed. You may be stepping away from a structured environment, possibly even from academia itself, and entering a competitive job market. But rather than viewing this transition as a source of anxiety, how can you turn it into an opportunity—one that opens new perspectives?
What we do in this session
- Defense Preparation: Strategies for structuring your presentation, handling critical feedback, and building confidence in your research.
- Mindset & Self-Presentation: Exploring the right attitude for your defense—balancing authority, openness, and resilience.
- Career Perspectives: Discussing different career paths, inside and outside academia, and how to navigate the transition.
- Managing Uncertainty: Practical approaches to dealing with insecurity and turning transitions into opportunities.
Through interactive discussions and hands-on exercises, this session will help you approach both your defense and the next steps in your career with clarity and confidence.
with Lea Pelosi
What Comes Next? Insights from Alumni
May 22, 2025 | 15:45 - 17:00
DSHCS meeting room (Spitalgasse 2, Hof 2.7, 2A-Z1-01)
What is it really like to wrap up your dissertation and take the next step? What should you expect in the final phase. How do you navigate the transition from being a doctoral candidate to entering the job market—whether in academia or beyond? Join us for a panel discussion with recent graduates of our programs who will share their firsthand experiences. They’ll discuss the challenges of completing a dissertation, lessons learned, and strategies for handling uncertainty during this transition.
with tba
Registration
Please register via u:rise (yes, you have to log in with your u:account).
19 May 2025: 9.45am - 1pm: Workshop on the organisation of scientific conferences
Conferences bring researchers together to share current findings, establish new collaborations, and foster interdisciplinary exchange. Organizing academic conferences requires planning, budgeting, communication, and logistical coordination—skills that are highly valued in many fields. This workshop offers doctoral students the opportunity to gain practical insights into the organization of academic conferences!
In July 2025, the annual conference of the European Academy of Religion (EuARe) will take place in Vienna. The conference is organized by the Research Centre Religion and Transformation in Contemporary Society (RaT). A corresponding course will be offered alongside the conference, providing students with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in organizing academic conferences.
The first session of the course on May 19 from 9.45am to 1pm will also be available as a standalone session for members of the VDTR and will provide a fundamental introduction to conference organization and the role of conferences as a platform for academic exchange.
Place: Dekanatssitzungssaal KTF, Main Building (Staircase 8, 2nd floor)