We help our researchers develop both research and transferable skills that will be useful in a wide range of careers.
Research Skills
Approaches to Legal Research is a short residential course usually held in May at Harnack Haus in Berlin. Participants will have the opportunity to engage with topics including comparative perspectives, the uses of legal history, anthropological and sociological approaches, the economic analysis of law, quantitative approaches to legal research, and critical perspectives. Directors and postdocs from the nine Institutes in the Max Planck Law network will primarily present the sessions.
For more opportunities to engage with questions around methods and methodology, researchers are also encouraged to join the events organized by the Legal Research Methods Initiative.
Transferable Skills
The Planck Academy offers a regular, cross-disciplinary training programme in presentation and writing skills. Also available are events on leadership, project management, problem-solving, and related topics. To display events of interest to particular groups of researchers, such as PhDs, Postdocs, or Research Group Leaders, access the Learning Management System on MAX, then go to ‘Training Center’, ‘Advanced Search’ followed by ‘Categories’.
In addition, at regular intervals, we hold events designed specifically for researchers at our nine Institutes covering specific academic skills. Examples include:
- a grant writing workshop with successful grant holders who share their experiences with prestigious schemes such as ERC. Beyond formal training, researchers can draw on the expertise of Institute Directors and senior colleagues for proposal review and strategic advice.
- an opportunity to meet subject editors from major publishing houses who provide insights into topics such as crafting compelling book proposals, choosing the right publisher and publication format, and building a coherent publication strategy. These sessions combine presentations with Q&A opportunities, allowing researchers to get direct answers to their publishing questions from industry experts.
Language Training
International researchers who would like to learn German and improve their English skills can access such courses through their Institutes.
Academic writing training that is particularly beneficial to those not writing in their first language is also available through the Planck Academy.
Research Life
Max Planck Law offers numerous opportunities to develop professional skills through active participation in our vibrant research community: researchers may attend Initiative events to broaden their horizons and discuss their research, they may help run an Initiative to build their academic networks and develop organizational skills; presenting their research at an Initiative workshop, at our Annual Conference Annual Conference, through our Perspectives series or on the Lawcast will help them build visibility in their field of research and develop a portfolio of presentational skills and experiences.
All these activities, while not formally labelled as careers training, not only enhance researchers’ CVs but also help build the professional networks and practical experience valued by future employers both in academia and beyond.
Diversity
Awareness of diversity and diversity issues, the ability to work in international teams and understanding different academic cultures are essential for the professional development of researchers and for nurturing an inclusive and open research environment at our Institutes.
A range of resources is available through the Diversity page on MAX.
Diversity perspectives are integrated into many of the events we run, and they also feature in the discussions of many of our Initiatives. Participation is possible on an ad hoc basis, and all events are announced in our monthly newsletter.
Click here to see the Planck Academy training sessions in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
