Training

The LANDLABS training programme aims to give each individual doctoral candidate specific knowledge, experiences and methods needed to seek a career in international, inter-sectoral or inter-disciplinary fields related to landscape architecture, urbanism, spatial planning, architecture or geography after a completed PhD.

LANDLABS Organisational training scheme

LANDLABS Organisational training scheme

Overall Training Objectives:

Core research skills and scientific training:
– Enhance critical thinking regarding existing theories on Anthropocene Landscape, and gain a deep understanding of the practical aspects and design potentials of this field.
– Develop a specific research niche, theory or perspective that contributes to the field.

Advanced/Additional scientific training and research skills
– Acquire advanced analysis skills and excellent knowledge in various research methods, including research-through-design (RtD).
– Cultivate systematic thinking skills and problem-solving strategies in regard to their landscape laboratories and site-related research in inter- and transdisciplinary settings.

Transferable and complementary skills training
– Learn to integrate knowledge from inter- and transdisciplinary backgrounds into research.
– Enhance collaborative and management skills on negotiation, communication and mediation through practice- and site-related work with diverse actors of academia, industry, government, and society.
– Gain knowledge on presentation techniques and dissemination strategies.

Open Science related training modules
– Promote a culture of open science in accordance to the MSCA-NET Policy brief, through open publication, open science and site-related participation and co-creation processes.

Gender and diversity in R&I
– Learn to strongly value and support the inclusion of diverse groups, and apply gender equality aspects and policies to their research in accordance to GEP policies.

Key training elements

The introductory seminar is a three-day key event at the very beginning of the training program. It aims to: 1) establish a joint network for collaboration and mutual understanding between DCs and supervisors, 2) to explain overall objectives, framework, procedure and sequences of the training program, 3) to provide an initial introduction to the overall topic of Anthropocene Landscapes, sites and disciplinary theories.

The three reflection seminars are set up as joint annual-workshops. Each reflection seminar is preceded by a short scientific course. The acquired knowledge of the short scientific course can be elaborated and reflected in the subsequent reflection seminars. Contrary to the short scientific course, which are online lecture seminars, the reflection seminars are face-to-face and based on a workshop-character to deepen the discourse and network synergies, create intense feedback situations, and encourage all partners and stakeholders to contribute and support the doctoral candidates and each other facilitating interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary knowledge. All reflection seminars include a phase where the doctoral candidates present their research and design work-in-progress, allowing discussions from all scientists-in-charge, and peer-to-peer feedback from their fellow doctoral candidates. The supervisory board will convene after these presentations and will provide written feedback with comments on the current status of the work and recommendations for the next phase to the six doctoral candidates. The doctoral candidates will be actively integrated in planning and executing the reflection seminars. Therefore, the doctoral candidates can acquire presentation, organization, communication and management skills.

As joint training activities, the doctoral network offers three sessions with short scientific courses.
These courses will include inputs, presentations and discussions, plus small exercises to apply the acquired knowledge. On short scientific course 2+3 there will be one day reserved where the External Advisory Board is present and the doctoral candidates present their state of work in order to get feedback by the External Advisory Board members. The short scientific courses lead to reflection seminars, where the knowledge transfer should be deepened in interactive workshops.
The short scientific courses are online and interested young researchers from all universities are invited to participate (except for the sessions with the External Advisory Board). The short scientific courses could be particularly beneficial for all young researchers from spatial design disciplines.

In addition to the specific training formats within LANDLABS, the doctoral candidates will join courses at their local graduate schools to learn further academic knowledge and transferable skills, such as scientific writing, rhetoric, didactics in teaching or project management and communication, open science practices, gender and diversity aspects. The specific selection of these courses will be supported by the supervisor in accordance to the individual needs and ambitions of the doctoral candidate. A course on open science practices is mandatory. The supervisors will also discuss and promote possible conference visits with their doctoral candidates. Some transferable skills are also taught in LANDLABS, such as career development or organizing a conference. Together, these topics will enhance the employability of the doctoral candidates and give the necessary transferable skills.

A key element in the training programme is a site-based working phase during the secondments with societal, municipal actors. All doctoral candidates will have one secondment in the institution of the associated partner, which has a planning responsibility for the landscape laboratory site. Beyond that, the associated partners have agreed to advise the doctoral candidates during the whole period. The aim of the secondments is to introduce the doctoral candidates to a different working environment, e.g. municipal processes. In this way the students will gain “real-world-knowledge”, and learn how to integrate practice-based knowledge with their disciplinary and interdisciplinary research. This will be highly beneficial for their careers and employability after the PhD as well as for their deep understanding of the opportunities and challenges within the green transition of European cities. The secondments produce knowledge in relation to their sites and to the application of the most recent theoretical insights relevant for the development of the cities.

More information about all events