The Graduate Academy

The Graduate Academy supports doctoral candidates – as well as those considering a doctorate – with organizational, structural, and individual questions regarding their doctoral studies. These topics include, among others:

• "Pursuing a Doctorate – Is it the right choice for me?" – Consultation for prospective doctoral candidates
• Different forms of doctoral studies
• Prerequisites and framework conditions for cooperative doctorates
• Cooperative doctorates with German and international partner universities
• Funding opportunities for doctoral studies
• Doctoral regulations, formalities, and administrative processes
• Finding a supervisor 
• Balancing doctoral studies with career and family life
• Individual challenges within the doctoral process

Furthermore, we address topics such as academic writing, caregiving responsibilities, time management, mental well-being, and career prospects through workshops, short talks, and by providing referrals to professional development programmes and experts.

Would you like to exchange ideas with other doctoral candidates, experience mutual support, or network regarding specific topics? We are happy to assist you in finding suitable tandem partners or forming small peer-exchange groups.

Workshops on Racism, Empowerment and Allyship

For students at all academic levels – Bachelor's, Master's and PhD

A joint initiative by CoRFu (Graduate Academy), the International Office and the Diversity Team at SRH University Heidelberg.

These two online workshops explore racism in university life from different perspectives. They offer opportunities for empowerment, critical self-reflection and developing practical ways to address discrimination and foster solidarity.

19 November 2026 | 10:00–13:00 | Online | In English

Dignity, Boundaries, Community

An empowerment workshop for students who experience racism

What does dignity feel like? What helps you hold your ground when someone crosses a line? And what would a university look like where you feel supported and belong?

This workshop is an invitation to connect with yourself and others who experience racism. Through gentle, optional body-based practices, reflection and exchange, we’ll explore three themes:

Dignity — embodying your worth. Explore how dignity can take shape in your posture, movement and voice.

Boundaries — finding your own way. Notice your limits and try out ways to express them that feel right for you.

Community — imagining change together. Find common ground, explore what support could look like and name what you want your university to change.

Bring your questions, curiosity and whatever feels present that day. You don’t need any experience with body-based practices, and you won’t be asked to share personal experiences. You choose how you participate.

Target group: Bachelor's, Master's and PhD students who experience racism Participants: Maximum 20

26 November 2026 | 10:00–13:00 | Online | In German

Allyship and Critical Whiteness in University Life

How does racism manifest itself in everyday university life? What role does one's own positioning as a white person play? And how can we act in solidarity when discriminatory comments are made or people are excluded?

This workshop invites white students to reflect on their own assumptions, privileges and opportunities to take action. Using concrete examples, participants will practise addressing racism, responding to feedback and supporting people affected by discrimination.

Optional body-based and awareness exercises will help participants recognise their own reactions to uncertainty or criticism and respond more consciously.

The aim is to take responsibility and develop concrete steps towards more inclusive and discrimination-sensitive university environments.

Target group: White-positioned Bachelor's, Master's and PhD students Participants: Maximum 20

About the Trainer

Diane Jeeranut Pitzer (she/her) trauma-sensitive somatic therapist and anti-discrimination trainer, in collaboration with Mosaik Deutschland e. V. (Heidelberg Anti-Discrimination Office).

She supports individuals and groups in exploring racism, social positioning, and anti-discriminatory practices. In her workshops, she combines critical reflection on power relations and group dialogue with trauma-sensitive, body-based and experiential methods.

Registration and Contact

Participation is free of charge. Places are limited to 20 participants per workshop. Advance registration is required.

Contact and registration: 

Dr. Katharina Greven 

Graduate Academy / Diversity Team 

[email protected] 

Please indicate which workshop you would like to attend when registering.

With the "Academic Lunch", the Graduate Academy is launching a new format for fostering exchange among researchers at SRH University.

The aim of this format is to strengthen dialogue between the different SRH Schools, enhance networking among researchers, and create a space for mutual feedback and new interdisciplinary perspectives.

The Academic Lunch takes place monthly on the third Thursday of the month, from 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM. The next session is scheduled for May 21, 2026. The focus lies particularly on the work in progress, methodological, structural, or content-related challenges, as well as practical topics such as the preparation for conferences or doctoral examinations.

If you are interested or have any questions, we are looking forward to your message to [email protected] or [email protected].

• Academic Lunch on May 21, 2026, at 12:00 PM: Our DAAD visiting professor Ileana Pereda Reyes (TEAC) will present on the topic of: Navigating PhD mentorship: Insights, challenges, and triumphs across 8 Cuban Theses 

Information regarding incoming speakers and topics will also be published here.