IRTG 1054 Retreat 2022: Summer Serenissima
August 3 - 6, 2022 on the Isola di San Servolo, Venice
After 2 years of remote networking, 29 IRTG members spent 4 days together on a memorable retreat on the Isola di San Servolo, Venice, getting to know each other both scientifically and interpersonally.
Housed in the facilities of the Venice International University (VIU), the IRTG convened on the Isola di San Servolo for a diverse program of scientific and team-building activities.
The main sessions of the scientific program focused on honing presentation and discussion skills, creating an interactive speaker-audience atmosphere. Each IRTG member prepared a 3-slide/3 min presentation pitch of his/her project, concentrating on essential information for understanding the topic (as opposed to presenting copious data), the hypothesis and significance of the work. Each presenter received feedback slips from the audience on his/her presentation skills. The pitch was followed by discussion led by a designated moderator (for each talk), practising different strategies for "finding one's question" in a discussion situation. See 3 min slam program.
An additional afternoon science session included a "Methods Bourse" with the goal of creating a quick way for IRTG members to get an overview of what methods are used in SFB research. In preparation for the retreat, participants comtemplated the questions: "What methods can I offer?" and "What methods do I need?". During the retreat, we organized speed-dating tables, that allowed all members to mix and ideally connect with others with common interests and methods, or who potentially could help with learning and performing new methods. Following this speed-dating session, we tried to visualize different methods resources of the group by gathering into ad hoc practice groups.
The team-building program consisted of a variety of activities. As a group, we went on a walking tour from San Marco Square through the sestiere Castello to Cannaregio, finally to the Rialto Bridge, during which we learned interesting details of the city's history and modern life from a native Venetian. Small groups gravitated to different attractions – from the art collections, the Biennale, bacari, to the beach on the Lido.
Sharing science, scenic excursions and a spectacular venue contributed to making this an extraordinary networking event for our doctoral researchers and a truly memorable IRTG retreat!
