The ZeM – Brandenburg Centre for Media Studies invites subject-related PhD students from all state universities and colleges in Brandenburg to present key topics and questions from their dissertation project at the ZeM Forum. With this format, we would like to offer doctoral students the opportunity to discuss their research beyond the boundaries of their alma mater.

Presentation options are as before:

• presentation of the conceptual framework of the dissertation or a subarea (object of investigation, research question, state of research and chapter structure/outline) – 20 min. lecture, 20 min. discussion
• presentation of a case study/analysis – 20 min. presentation, 20 min. discussion
• presentation of a chapter draft – 20 min. presentation, 20 min. discussion
• dissertation pitch – 5 min. presentation, 10 min. discussion
• your own presentation format – please suggest a time frame!

In addition, we are introducing the following new option:

• mock defense with respondent – 20–30-min. presentation, 50–60 min. Q&A session and feedback

In addition to questions from other participants, the presenting doctoral student will benefit from the expertise of an external respondent who has had the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the dissertation in advance. The respondent is invited at the doctoral candidate’s suggestion and in consultation with the supervising professor, must be named in the submission to the ZeM Forum, and should have already expressed their general willingness to participate by that time. The ZeM covers the respondent’s travel, lodging, and honorarium expenses at the customary rates.

This opportunity is limited to one participant per ZeM Forum. Selection criteria include: stage in the doctoral process (ideally after two to three years, about one year before submitting the dissertation); status of organizational arrangements regarding the availability of a suitable respondent; institutional parity.

Participation without a presentation is also possible and encouraged. Doctoral students at all stages of the process are welcome to attend. By “forum” we mean an open exchange in which all participants are invited to give feedback and have their say. The event is primarily oriented towards the content-related and methodological needs of the doctoral students. Presentations may be in German and English. In special cases, participation via Zoom is possible.

→ The first ZeM Forum 2027 is scheduled to take place in the ZeM in Potsdam on January 27 (10.00–16.00 h).
→ Another Forum is being planned for the summer semester.

Please send an outline with abstract (for presentation), bibliography and short biography (in total min. 150/max. 1000 words) by 04 January 27 – or by 04 December 26 for a mock defense with respondent – to . For participation without a presentation, we also kindly ask you to register by e-mail. We look forward to receiving your submissions!

See the Call for Presentation and Participation (PDF in German).