In his welcoming speech, Prorector Gläser and former mentor of the t.e.a.m programme emphasised how unique and enriching the experience as a mentor and the exchange with the mentees had been. All t.e.a.m. participants are ambassadors who show that we, as members of the Leipzig University, want to stand up for openness and diversity together.
After the first networking session over lunch on the terrace, Georg Teichert, head of the Office for Equality, Diversity and Family Affairs, led the participants through the programme and welcomed the first keynote speaker, Rutta Mekonen. Under the topic "Selfcare in Leadership", she invited the audience in her exciting keynote to reflect on the importance of their own well-being in their current and future work and private lives as well as to formulate personal goals for an improved work-life balance.
The keynote was followed by three exciting workshops on various topics. Together with Dr. Anja Hagedorn, mentees and interested parties dealt with the challenges and approaches to innovation management in science. Under the workshop title "All you need is a Smartphone - Introduction to Video Production", Joram Schwartzmann showed the participants what audiovisual science communication can look like. In Dr. Maia George's workshop, participants discussed how to deal with fake news and the currently growing scepticism about science in society.
After coffee and cake, the guests went on to the last programme item of the conference part of the event. In her outstanding keynote, Prof.in Dr.in Daniela Gottschlich spoke about "Sustainability and Gender in Science". The scientist emphasised the importance of sustainability and gender justice in science and inspired those present to take further steps in these areas. With many questions, the participants in the zoom chat as well as in the ballroom took part in the exciting discussion about the challenges and chances of integrating feminist activism and progressive approaches into science.
The official part of the conference was concluded by Swing Delikatessen with stylish live music, which also heralded the evening's festivities. During the ceremony, Georg Teichert thanked all former and new mentees, mentors and supporters for their motivated participation in the t.e.a.m. programme. The mentoring programme began in 2015 with one t.e.a.m. line and now has seven different t.e.a.m. lines for different target groups of young researchers.
In a self-designed programme item, the participants of t.e.a.m. for doctoral researchers said goodbye with chocolate for all the guests and thanked Dorothee Ulrich, the project coordinator of the t.e.a.m. programme, with a large bouquet of flowers for her great support and personal care of the mentees. With much applause, the participants of all t.e.a.m. lines were presented with a certificate of participation and a farewell gift. In keeping with tradition, the mentees of this year's programme were given a small houseplant as a welcome gift, symbolising their personal and professional growth.
The conference "t.e.a.m. UP" conference ended with music, snacks and drinks in the garden of Villa Ida. In an informal atmosphere, the guests exchanged ideas, made contacts and were able to reflect on the day.
The networking conference for female scientists of the t.e.a.m. programme at the leipzig University was a great success and we would like to thank all participants once again for the pleasant and productive cooperation. We are pleased about the lively participation in the networking conference "t.e.a.m UP", the positive feedback and look forward to an inspiring collaboration with former and new mentees, mentors and supporters.