The interdisciplinary group consisted of members of three research areas. Each research area was represented by several doctoral programs (IDC) Austrian Studies, Borders, Border Shifts and Border Crossings in Language, Literature, Media, Dynamics of Inequality and Difference in the Age of Globalization for “Cultural Encounters – cultural conflicts”, #OrganizingtheDigital and Politics, Power and Language for EPoS and Alpine Biology and Global Change, Natural Hazards in Mountain Regions and Tourism and Leisure in Mountain Regions for the area Mountain Regions.
Even though the individual writing projects took top priority, setting a thematic bracket is also a matter close to our hearts. This year we have designed our week under the umbrella of sustainability in the university context. Starting with a joint bus journey and a purely vegetarian / vegan cuisine for the week. UniNEtZ contributed several inputs regarding a sustainable future and initiated discussion on transformations and sustainable development goals (SDG). In addition, we took a tour with the local historian through Obergurgl looking at the tourism industry through the lenses of climate change, sustainability, and explored regional contexts and local perspectives.
A special opportunity arose on Tuesday evening when rector Veronika Sexl and vice rector of research Gregor Weihs took the time to answer the students' questions in a fireside chat. We discussed various aspects of the PhD life and the students had the opportunity to articulate different studying and working conditions.
The week was also an opportunity for faculty members to exchange ideas and to network in order to shed light on the different ways of working in the Innsbruck Doctoral Collegs (IDCs). How to enhance the opportunities and benefits of the structure for all parties involved is one of the main points.
We would like to thank the vice rectorate of research and the Alpine research Center Obergurgl for their support and a big thank you also goes to Alexander Zeinzinger and his team at the UZO for taking care of us and setting the stage for all our endeavors.
Participant feedback shows numerous writing successes from the structured writing workshop and countless well used interdisciplinary networking opportunities. We are very much grateful for a successful 3rd DK-X-Change and hope to see you all next year.
(Günter Scheide, Daniela Rothe and Eva Zipperle-Mirwald)
