For the PhD students of today it is no longer sufficient to be a great scientist. If they want to move on to successful careers they need to be excellent project managers, science communicators, and leaders, too.

After 10 years as researcher, policy expert, consultant and founder, I know what skills are needed to design and lead a successful project, and to create results that make an impact.

As trainer and certified coach, it is my mission to equip young scientists with those skills and to empower them to create and share research to advance science, create solutions for pressing societal problems, and boost their individual careers.

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February 4, 2025

Issue 4: Fail fast, Learn faster

Failure is the fastest way to success

Welcome to this week’s issue of The Interface! Today, I want to talk about something that makes a lot of people (myself included) very uncomfortable: failure.We all dread it (yet, it happens to every single one of us): Experiments gone wrong. Methods not working out. In my case, camera traps getting stolen or just recording tens of thousands of images of moving leaves (a real bummer, I'm telling you!). We hate it because it throws us back, it costs time we don't really have and sometimes it even makes us question our ability as a researcher.But today I want to invite you to a little shift in perspective:Failure is not the opposite of success. It is data telling us what works and what doesn't. And the sooner and more often we gather this kind of data the faster we improve and eventually have success.

This Week’s Spotlight: The Science of Smart Failure

Innovation - whether in research, startups, or career-building - benefits from rapid feedback loops. The faster you collect feedback, the sooner you can improve. This principle is the foundation of:🚀 The Lean Startup Approach – Entrepreneurs don’t wait until they have a “perfect” product; they launch, gather feedback, and refine based on real-world data.If you're paying attention to this you'll see it all around you:💡The first versions of cell phones that you could only use for phone calls, SMS or for playing "Snake" (and I realize this makes me sound ancient). Very few people would buy such a product today where we have smart phones. It was an early version of a product that was not perfect. But still, it was brought to market and iteratively improved, based on data.💡Microwaves that always make parts of your food boiling hot while others stay cold - far from perfect but they're still out there and people find them useful (although I honestly wonder how much data is used to improve their performance - I don't see much progress there...).💡GoogleMaps! Ever used it and found yourself in a dead end? - I certainly have. Am I still using it, just like millions of other people? All the time!The list is endless. But what all those products have in common is this:• They are not perfect.
• Still, they are useful.
• Each version is part of an experiment and with each iteration (or launch) the developers generate data they can use to improve the next version.(If you want to learn more about the lean startup approach Eric Ries' seminal book is a great read.)📈 Agile Research – Scientists who design small, iterative experiments rather than all-or-nothing projects are more likely to reach breakthroughs faster and waste less time trying to do big experiments that are bound to fail.😱 Failing in public – Want to get feedback fast and at the same time improve your communication skills? Use any opportunity to show your work in progress. You don't have to show polished results in a conference talk, poster or when you're meeting your PhD advisory committee. Instead, you can use the opportunity to talk about challenges you're facing in your research and ask for feedback.If you're really bold (and not working on some highly-classified project) you might even go so far as to post project updates on social media and this way not only get help but also become visible with your work, and maybe even grow your professional network.So, the tl;dr this week is this:No one gets it right the first time. The trick is to fail fast, adjust, and try again.

A Quick Exercise to Try This Week

1️⃣ Identify one area that you• have been postponing because you don’t feel “ready.” (Submitting your paper? Reaching out to a potential collaborator? Sharing your work online?)
or
• that you could break down into smaller "experimental units" that allow you to gather data.2️⃣ Take one small, imperfect action to move forward.-> Send the email.
-> Post the idea.
-> Test the new method.3️⃣ Collect "data" about what happened, adjust, and try again.🚀 Reply to this email and tell me: When did you last fail and what can you learn from it?I'll see you next week!
Andrea

January 28, 2025

Issue 3: Your Research in 60 Seconds: The Power of the Elevator Pitch

Luck is when preparation meets opportunity

Welcome to this week’s issue of The Interface! Today, we’re tackling a skill that can open doors in every setting, from conference icebreakers to job interviews: the elevator pitch.But what is an elevator pitch and why should you have one prepared?Imagine the following scenario:You're in an elevator and you're thinking about the paper you're about to submit. The elevator stops and for some unknown reason (please bear with me for a second) the editor-in-chief of your target journal steps in and asks you: "So, what's your research about?"
You know that if you nail your answer it could significantly improve your chances of getting published. You also know that you have no more than 30 seconds before the door opens and the two of you part ways.Now, there are two ways this story could continue:1. The question catches you completely off-guard. You nervously stutter something like "it's hard to explain" and before you know it the moment is over and you haven't even started to properly think of what you could have sensibly said.
(You guessed it: This is the more common scenario).2. You're prepared. Not because you figured that it's likely to bump into your target journal's editor-in-chief. You're prepared because you knew that you never know when you'll have an encounter that could potentially help your career (or whatever cause you care about). And because you know that luck favors those who are prepared.
So, for the next 30 seconds, you deliver your pitch. And by the time you step out of that elevator you know the editor will remember you by the time they receive your submission.Of course it is highly unlikely this story will happen. But what does happen all the time is thisyou are asked about your work
the person you're talking to could help you or your cause if they just remembered you for more than 20 seconds, but unfortunately
they have the attention span of a starfish - especially if you meet them in a setting with lots of distractions (an elevator would actually be a great place to tell someone about your research compared to, say, a poster session).
So, you want to be prepared. And now we're gonna figure out how:

This Week’s Spotlight: Crafting a Memorable Elevator Pitch

Your elevator pitch is your magic tool for turning complex research into a story that resonates (and sticks!). It’s about answering one key question:Why should people care about what I do?Unfortunately, this is where things typically start to go wrong. Because if I want people to care about what I do, naturally the pitch should be about me. Right?!Nooo!! The most important thing you'll have to keep in mind is this: People care about things that are important to them. Maintaining a brain and keeping stuff in it is expensive so, if you want someone to remember you and your work you better make it crystal clear what's in it for them!That means you need to know a thing or two about your target group. And that requires you answering a couple of "meta-level" questions first:1. What is your goal? What do you want to achieve by talking about your work? (I know that can be a difficult one but I won't stop going on about it because, trust me - once you've figured that out for yourself everything else will fall into place!)2. Who are the people who could help you achieve that goal, i.e. your target group?3. What is important for them? How is your work relevant for them?Great! Now that you've clarified this for yourself you've already made a big step towards a clearer and more successful pitch.
The rest is just following a framework. Here's the technical "anatomy" you can use to build your elevator pitch:Start with a "Hook"
Begin with the big picture - what’s the problem you’re addressing?
Example: Pollinator decline is a growing global challenge, with far-reaching consequences for ecosystems and food security.The differentiator:
Let them know that you're different—that your research isn't just another iteration of what came before. Make it clear what your work adds to the existing body of literature. Explain what makes your research important and novel. Avoid jargon and focus on what makes your approach interesting or unique.
Example: While many studies highlight the problem, actionable solutions remain scarce. My research bridges that gap by identifying practical strategies that reduce pollinator loss while balancing agricultural productivity.Provide evidence
Your most important result or conclusion. If you think of your research already as a paper, it would probably be the result you're showing in Figure 1.
Example: In a recent study, I developed a model that helped farmers decrease pesticide use by 20% without compromising crop yields, showcasing scalable, real-world applications.End with a call to action:
Make sure you're inviting your audience to take action. An example for a really low-key call to action would be to ask them for their thoughts.
Example: I believe this work offers timely, evidence-based insights that align with your journal’s focus on applied ecological research. Would you be open to consider my manuscript for one of your upcoming issues?

A Quick Exercise to Try This Week

Write your elevator pitch following the above structurePractice it out loud until it feels natural. Then, try it out on someone in your target audience (or someone who knows your target audience) and ask them to repeat it back to you. If they can, you’re on the right track!Reply to this email and let me know how it went ;)Talk soon!
Andrea

January 21, 2025

Issue #2: Thinking beyond your dissertation

Your thesis is more than a title — it’s your launchpad

Welcome back to The Interface!This week, we’re diving into how your thesis can do more than earn you a degree — if you go about it right it can become the launchpad for your future career.I don't know why you are doing a PhD.Maybe you already know you want to be a researcher. Maybe earning the title means a lot to you because you'll be the first person in your family to graduate (if that's you, I have so much respect for you! You're a real trailblazer and I can only imagine how hard it must be at times). Maybe the idea of diving deep into one topic intrigued you. Or, it was a way to stay in the place where you did your masters and make a living, too.Whatever it is that motivates you now - I firmly believe that if you want to thrive in your PhD you should think about your career beyond graduation asap.I know that especially when times get stressful we tend to think "I just wanna get it done". I know I felt this way sometimes. But the sooner you start thinking about what you want after the PhD the better. Because if you have this clarity you can use your PhD project to take intentional and strategic steps toward this next, bigger goal already now.And this has an amazing ripple effect:You'll be more motivated.
You'll work less (because it will be easy to separate tasks that are critical for your goal from those that are just nice-to-have).
By the time you graduate, you'll not only have a clear idea of what you want - you'll be equipped with the right skills and network to get it, too.
That's why I'm such a big fan of creating a personal brand already during your PhD. Because it basically distills your skills, your expertise, your personality into a package that doesn't only affect your future. It improves your present (work-)life, too.

This Week’s Spotlight: How to turn your thesis into a personal brand

Your thesis is a reflection of your expertise, your unique perspective, and your ability to solve problems. Here’s how you can turn it into your professional launchpad:Position yourself as an expert
Your research dives deep into a specific topic that’s valuable to a particular audience. Whether it’s other scientists, policy advocates, industry professionals, or educators, your work demonstrates expertise they can trust. Show your thought leadership by sharing your insights, your unique views or simply what you learn on platforms like LinkedIn or Medium.Make your work accessible for others
Who could be interested in or impacted by your research? Think of at least one person (if you can't think of anyone, just make someone up - marketing people call this a persona or avatar) and come up with a narrative around your work that resonates with that one person. Ideally, your persona is from a field where you see yourself in after you graduate. For example, if you want to stay in science, create a narrative that is interesting for another scientist (maybe from a slightly different field). If you want to transition into a certain industry think about angles of your research (or other interesting aspects of your work) that could be relevant for people who work there. If you can, practice presenting this narrative to someone in your target group (we'll talk more about how to do this in next week's issue), get their feedback and learn how to refine your message so they easily understand it.Leverage your research for visibility
Use the narrative you created in step 2 as a starting point to increase your visibility as an expert. Look for opportunities to network, speak in front of different audiences, advise policy makers or write articles for different media. These activities grow your reputation and put you in front of people who can open doors to exciting opportunities.

A Quick Exercise to Try This Week

Write a one-paragraph summary of your research for a person of your choice. Include:The problem your research addresses.
Who it impacts.
Why it matters.
If you struggle to come up with ideas you can use this impact matrix to get your creative juices flowing:

How to fill in the impact matrix: Look at each of the intersections and check? Is there an aspect of your research work (your topic, your results, the methods you are using, the skills you have or that you are developing and things you know more broadly about the field of your study) that could influence one or several of the impact areas? If yes, how? You don't need to find examples for all combinations. One is enough to get started.

Of course the categories I added here are just examples to inspire you. You can come up with your own if the ones here don't fit.
Once you've drafted your summary, post it on LinkedIn or share it with a friend outside your field and ask for feedback. Notice how simplifying your message changes the way others understand your work.Again, tag me if you want or send me your summary as an email! I'd love to see what you came up with (and what your research is all about ;))!Talk soon!
Andrea

January 14, 2025

Issue #1: Your Research, Your Brand

Welcome to the first issue of The Interface! Weekly insights from entrepreneurship, communication, management, and community building to help you thrive in your career - in academia and beyond.I’ve spent my whole career at some kind of interface:• Studying biology as someone who's much more naturally talented in languages and humanities than in science.
• As a trained neuroscientist switching to ecology and working on bat conservation.
• As Science-Policy professional supporting scientists in communicating their findings to decision makers.And today, as a founder, using research principles to grow my business and drawing on insights from entrepreneurs, communication experts and leaders to help young scientists thrive in their careers.I love to explore the space between different "worlds". And I am super excited to continue this journey - with this newsletter and with you. Thanks so much for being here!Now, enough about me. Here's what you will get:Each issue, I’ll share practical advice and actionable insights from outside the ivory tower to help you make the most of your academic journey and beyond:• Finish your thesis faster and with less stress.
• Use insights from fields like entrepreneurship, communication, management and community building to amplify your impact.
• Transform your research and unique skillset into a personal brand that sets you up for your next career step — whether that's in academia, industry, or something else entirely.This Week’s Spotlight: Bridging Academia and Personal BrandingAs a PhD researcher, you’re mastering the art of deep research, critical thinking, and problem-solving. And ideally, all those skills culminate in papers that advance the field and a successful thesis defense.But those milestones are just the beginning of what your work can achieve!I know, as a researcher you probably don’t consider yourself a “brand”. But think about it this way: Your brand (or, your personal brand, more specifically) is simply the sum of skills, characteristics and experiences others associate with you. And you have two choices:1. Leave it up to others what they see in you, or2. intentionally craft this impression so it serves your goals.Now here’s where your PhD comes in. Your thesis isn’t just a dense document—it’s a treasure trove of ideas, expertise, innovation, and problem-solving. By using it as a showcase for your skills, expertise and experience, you can:Position yourself as the go-to expert in your field.
Build a professional network that works for you.
Open doors to speaking engagements, collaborations, and job offers.
Gain clarity on what you stand for and where you’re headed next.
Here’s one quick way to get started: Craft a LinkedIn summary that connects your research to real-world impact and add it to your bio.Here’s an example:"I am a PhD candidate in [Field] researching [specific topic]. My work focuses on solving [problem] to help [specific group or industry]. I’m passionate about [related skills or areas] and look forward to leveraging my expertise to drive innovation and create impact beyond academia."Done? Tag me! I'd love to see what you came up with!Talk soon!
Andrea

Für die Promovierenden von heute reicht es nicht mehr aus, exzellente Forschung zu betreiben. Für die Traumkarriere innerhalb und außerhalb der Wissenschaft, müssen sie auch exzellente Projektmanagerinnen, Wissenschaftskommunikatoren und Leader sein.Als Trainerin und Coach will ich, Nachwuchsforschenden diese Fähigkeiten vermitteln und sie damit in die Lage versetzen, Wissenschaft voran zu treiben, Lösungen für dringende gesellschaftliche Probleme zu entwickeln und ihre Karrieren nach ihren Wünschen erfolgreich zu gestalten.

Nach 10 Jahren Erfahrung als Wissenschaftlerin, Science-Policy Expertin, Beraterin und Gründerin weiß ich, welche Fähigkeiten man braucht, um erfolgreiche Projekte zu entwickeln und zu leiten, und um Ergebnisse zu produzieren, die Wandel vorantreiben.

Als Trainerin und Coach will ich, Nachwuchsforschenden diese Fähigkeiten vermitteln und sie damit in die Lage versetzen, Wissenschaft voran zu treiben, Lösungen für dringende gesellschaftliche Probleme zu entwickeln und ihre Karrieren nach ihren Wünschen erfolgreich zu gestalten.

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