Nine junior researchers from across Germany – Indra Bock, Sandra Holtgreve, Anne Stöcker, and Theres Waldbauer, and Shortcuts scholarship holders Stefanie Haupt, Rebecca Knecht, Sahra Rausch, Anastasia Remes, and Marion Stopfinger – took part in the Shortcuts-Programme at the BGHS in the winter semester 2016/17. The goal of the Shortcuts-Programme is to actively support female junior researchers – graduates in history and the social sciences – during the transition from successfully completing a master's degree to beginning a doctorate.

Important components of the programme include the Shortcuts-Colloquia in which project outlines are discussed and developed further. Multi-day writing workshops with a writing trainer as well as information sessions on the status of doctoral researchers and workshops on applying for academic positions and financing doctorates are helpful as well.

Opinions on the Shortcuts-Programme 2016

Anastasia Remes, who is planning a doctoral project on How the EU Institutions showed Europe to the World. Representations of European History and Culture in European Pavilions at World Expos emphasises: 'In the colloquia, I had multiple opportunities to present and discuss my exposé and especially my research question and methodology. The programme's strong emphasis on soft skills was also important to me. For example, we learned to give and accept feedback.'

The participants in the Shortcuts-Programme also interacted regularly in the form of peer coaching and met with doctoral researchers at the BGHS. Stefanie Haupt underlines the support coming from various sides. She would like to write her dissertation on A historical approach to the völkisch origins of Archaeoastronomy in Germany and considers the opportunities to do so at the BGHS to be very good: 'I received time and professional input to develop a clear idea about the relative importance of the doctorate in my life, to think through my dissertation project, and to flesh it out in an exposé. I also met terrific, strong women and found them to be appreciative and supportive, which enabled me to discuss my ideas and thoughts.' Stefanie, a historian, is now considering applying to the BGHS. She feels well-prepared by the Shortcuts-Programme: 'Besides the financial support, I found the professional input special. I was inspired by the diversity of what was offered and I would like to try some things, such as peer coaching, in other areas of life as well.'

Rebecca Knecht, who is working on The construction of belonging through communications on sexuality and relationships in housing projects for minor refugees, also decided to pursue a doctorate. 'Exchange with others has helped me to make concrete what exactly about my topic interests me and to transform the original idea into a project. It became clear to me what it means to get a doctorate and that I want to continue to pursue this path.'

The Shortcuts scholars had places to work while they were at the BGHS, enabling them to write their exposés in quiet surroundings. The project descriptions were completed after four months of intensive work.

Looking back on her time at the BGHS, Anastasia Remes says: 'The Shortcuts Programme enabled me to work full-time on elaborating my planned research project and to improve my exposé both in form and in substance.' And Stefanie Haupt adds, 'Thanks to the workshop programme, I now feel thoroughly coached from A to Z and well-prepared for the journey of the doctorate – perhaps even in Bielefeld.'

More information on the Shortcuts-Programme at the BGHS: www.uni-bielefeld.de/(en)/bghs/Personen/Fellows/shortcuts