The Minerva LAW Network held its first Summer Training at the Max Planck Institute for Comparative and International Law in Hamburg from 19 to 21 May 2022. The theme of the course was Career Building, Communication, and Empowerment. The event was made possible by the Max Planck Law Network.
Ten early-career researchers from different Max Planck Institutes met in Hamburg to learn from and support each other. The programme was tailored to participants’ profiles and needs by Ulrike Schultz, who ran the training. Schultz is a leading expert on Gender and Careers in Law. She regularly brings together groups of scholars to discuss these matters, playing a central role in the International Sociological Associations’ RCSL (Research Committee on Sociology of Law) and its International Working Group for Comparative Studies of Legal Professions.
Schultz’s academic research on these subjects can be seen i.e. in the publication of six monographs and eight co-edited books, the most recent being Gender and Careers in the Legal Academy (Hart, 2021). Schultz has also vast experience in leading communication training owing in part to her involvement in the Oñati International Institute for the Sociology of Law in Spain.
The programme’s main goal was to help researchers to plan and develop their careers. One important aspect was to reflect on participants’ aims and put them in relation to their interests and competences. While careers can, of course, be built without serious forethought, the course encouraged active discussion on these matters as well as providing career building techniques and theoretical frameworks. Practical exercises showed participants how their skills and qualities were perceived by others and enabled them to compare this with their self-perception. In this context, Schultz also presented the key findings of her research on the legal academy in Germany.
Communication is an essential building block for a successful career and it was the second pillar of the Summer Training. Schultz explained different theories of communication, offered tips on good communication, introduced participants to conflict management techniques, and showed them how to strengthen one’s bargaining position. Role play put these models into practice – and participants enjoyed the possibility to display and discuss different strategies in a range of scenarios. A (hypothetical) sisterly quarrel over a shared sofa thus became a vivid laboratory for dispute resolution.
There was also a strong focus on presentation skills. Speaking in front of an audience can be a daunting task. Participants were asked to prepare a brief presentation on their research and appear ‘naked’, i.e. without a lectern or desk blocking them from their audience. Video-taping this exercise allowed for ample discussion of style, gesturing, voice, and stance. Schultz, with her many TV appearances and extensive media experience, offered tips on how to prepare notes and use cards effectively. The academic content of the presentations was deeply insightful. It led to many substantial discussions between researchers over the breaks, lunches, and dinners.
The programme was an intensive one, running for one full day and two half ones (Thursday afternoon to Saturday lunchtime). This allowed participants to manage other interests, activities, and demands, while also ensuring that they were able to engage with the content and other participants. The training thus formed a unique opportunity to build strong and long-lasting connections which provide support in building a career.
For many participants, it was their first time in the beautiful city of Hamburg and their first time at the Max Planck Institute for Comparative and International Private Law. The weather offered the opportunity to work and dine outside and enjoy a walk along the Alster with colleagues. The library also boasts a fantastic range of materials that cannot be readily found elsewhere. Information on visiting the library can be found here.
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