Recap on the International Early Career Workshop: Writing and Publishing in the Field of Work and Aging

On December 9 and 10, 2022, the international workshop for early career researchers in the field of work and aging was hosted by our chair.

For two days, Hohenheim Castle was transformed into a center of international expertise: junior researchers and leading experts from Switzerland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Great Britain, and the USA honored us with their presence. The interest within Germany was also strong, attracting participants ranging from Hamburg to Constance.

A total of 24 people assembled; 17 early career researchers - Ph.D. students at various stages of their Ph.D. journeys and early post-doctoral researchers - took part in the workshop to benefit from the expertise of the 7 international mentors.

The international board of mentors

• Anne Burmeister, Rotterdam School of Management, NL
• Ulrike Fasbender, University of Hohenheim
• Ariane Froidevaux, University of Texas at Arlington, USA
• Fabiola Gerpott, WHU Otto Beisheim School of Management, DE
• Andreas Hirschi, University of Bern, CH
• Mo Wang, University of Florida, USA
• Zhen Zhang, Southern Methodist University, USA

The first day of the workshop started with a welcoming address by Henner Gimpel, who, in his role as Vice Dean for Research and Knowledge Transfer of the Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences, emphasized the relevance of the research topic 'Work and Aging' and warmly welcomed the guests to Hohenheim.

The workshop program kicked off with a lively Editors Panel, in which Ulrike Fasbender, Andreas Hirschi, Mo Wang, and Zhen Zhang lifted the curtain and shared their insights into their work as journal editors. With their perspectives as future, current, and former Associate Editors and Editors-in-Chief, they addressed questions such as "How do you deal with controversial research topics?" or "What is a 'theoretical contribution'?" and discussed, for example, the state of Open Science from an editorial perspective.

After that, the first group work phase began. Within small groups of up to three participants and one to two mentors, research ideas in different stages of maturity were discussed and further developed, and feedback on specific manuscripts was given.

Finally, the first day ended with a joint dinner and a visit to the Christmas market in downtown Stuttgart, which presented itself from its most wintry side with the first snow of the season.

The second day of the workshop started with the second group work phase, in which the participants continued to work on their projects within their small groups. Afterward, Ariane Froidevaux gave an inspiring account of her experiences as a European scientist gaining a foothold in the United States after completing her doctorate. In doing so, she outlined the steps to this decision as a person who was not drawn to go abroad from the outset of her journey. In the process, she shared her wisdom on the role of the right mindset and gave practical advice on how early career scientists can strategically approach international career endeavors.

As the final input session, Anne Burmeister and Fabiola Gerpott led an interactive keynote presentation on the manuscript revision process and how to successfully navigate reviewer and editor comments. Among other things, they compared revision processes with collaborative conversations, gave tips on how to deal with the emotional response to R&R's, and highlighted Registered Reports as a relatively new Open Science publication form that follows its own rules in the revision process.

After a round of reflection in which the insights and learning of the two days were shared among the plenum, the workshop ended with lunch at the castle, where the vibrant exchange was continued.

We would like to thank all mentors and participants for the interesting days and the inspiring dialogues.

Participant voices

„Thank you for the wonderful workshop and thought-out program. I enjoyed every session and found that the content spoke to early career researchers at every career stage. The invited experts were wonderful and the organization great. Thank you!”

“I liked the small group feedback opportunity – it was all constructive and our mentor was helpful, thoughtful, engaged, and supportive.”

 “I particularly liked the interactive format, it gave a lot of opportunity to connect and talk and get feedback.”

Sponsorship

We would also like to thank our sponsors for making the event possible:

• Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences of the University of Hohenheim
• Oxford University Press
• Volksbank Ulm-Biberach eG
• DGPs Division Work, Organizational and Business Psychology

Organizing team

• Prof. Dr. Ulrike Fasbender
• Shanti Weller
• Laura Rinker
• Robin Umbra
• America Harris

Photographs: Faye Parish