Better PhDs, Stronger Mentors: Unite!Widening Workshops in Wroclaw

In October Wrocław Tech will host 3-day trainings dedicated to early-stage researchers and supervisors. Both trainings will be a great opportunity for exchanging experiences and knowledge with representatives of the Unite! universities.

Onboarding Early-Stage Researchers – training for PhD students

Hosted at Wrocław University of Science and Technology, this 3-day in-person training supports early-stage researchers in taking their first structured steps into the PhD journey, in continuity with the Unite!Widening capacity-building actions launched in Autrans (Grenoble). Working in a small, international group, participants explore one guiding question: how to navigate your research career?

A core component of the training is the onboarding of new PhD candidates:

• Participants explore how to co-create individual development plans, set clear expectations, and establish productive communication patterns from day one.
• Dedicated sessions focus on giving constructive feedback on drafts, presentations, and project progress, with specific attention to balancing structure and autonomy so that researchers can grow into independent thinkers.
• In parallel, the training addresses how to support career development by identifying transferable skills, discussing diverse career paths both in and beyond academia, and encouraging strategic networking.

Through interactive workshops, self-reflection exercises and peer feedback, participants refine their research question, map potential supervisors and collaborators, and sketch realistic milestones for the first years of their doctorate. The “lunch-to-lunch” format combines short inputs, hands-on exercises, a study visit in the Wrocław research and innovation ecosystem, and informal networking moments.

The training is aimed at young researchers, preferably PhD candidates, with reserved places for ULisboa and Wrocław Tech (6 each), 1–2 participants from each other Unite! university, and 4 from other Widening institutions. Participation is free of charge.

The training will take place on 21–23 October 2026 in Wrocław.

Registration is open until 13 September. The priority in the recruitment process is given to the PhD students participating in the Unite.Widening Programme.

More information and link on the AGORA platform.

Training Supervisors for PhD Collaborations – training for supervisors

This 3-day in-person training is dedicated to supervisors who guide PhD students and early-stage researchers, further developing the supervisory dimension highlighted in earlier Unite!Widening initiatives such as the “Building Research Communities” training in Autrans. The programme focuses on how to effectively onboard new PhD candidates, co-create individual development plans, and build productive, trust-based supervisory relationships across institutions and national systems.

• The programme gathers supervisors from Unite! universities and other Widening institutions to exchange practices and reflect on their role in fostering high-quality doctoral research.
• Through case discussions and peer learning, participants address typical supervisory challenges, including aligning expectations, dealing with delays, and co-supervision across institutions and countries.
• Participants work through real supervisory cases, sharing approaches to constructive feedback, researcher well-being, and diverse career paths. Sessions also address psychologically safe research environments and international collaboration.
• The “lunch-to-lunch” 3-day format combines expert inputs, interactive workshops, a study visit and networking.

The training is open to supervisors at any level, with 6 places for ULisboa, 6 for Wrocław Tech, 1–2 per other Unite! university, and 4 for other Widening institutions. Participation is free of charge.

The training will take place on 21–23 October 2026 in Wrocław.

Registration is open until 13 September. The priority in the recruitment process is given to the supervisors of the PhD students participating in the Unite.Widening Programme.

More information and link on the AGORA platform.