On the afternoon of April 25, 2025, twenty doctoral candidates and postdocs from the Rhine-Main Universities (RMU) gathered at Frankfurt’s historic Eiserner Steg bridge – just as the cloud started to break over the metropolis. The spring sunshine immediately set a relaxed mood among the participants of the annual boat trip on the Main, organized by the Goethe Research Academy for Early Career Researchers (GRADE). Together with INGENIUM (TU Darmstadt) and the Gutenberg Academy (JGU Mainz), GRADE takes turns organizing cultural get-togethers and outings as part of the RMU Social Networking Events.
On board were doctoral candidates and postdocs from the life sciences, medicine, chemistry, peace and conflict research, literary studies, sports science, psychology, and the Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology. As the boat leisurely cruised along the Main, offering views of the European Central Bank and the East Harbor, discussions focused on doctorate-related topics such as supervision situations. Another hot topic was how much time remains for doctoral work alongside teaching and lab duties – an issue that sparked lively debate. The responses varied significantly, even within the same disciplines, depending on subject and doctoral context.
There were also differing opinions about which campus of Goethe University – and among the RMU alliance members – is the most beautiful, with even Frankfurt locals unable to reach a consensus. Between coffee, cake, and the occasional cool beverage, an interdisciplinary debate emerged on which sports are perceived as more “left” or “right.” At another table, doctoral candidates in biochemistry and medicine exchanged views on shared theoretical foundations and methods in cancer research.
The roughly 100-minute round trip, accompanied by bilingual moderation, offered not only fantastic views of the museum embankment, the historic cranes in the East Harbor, and Frankfurt’s spectacular skyline, it also provided space for new professional and personal connections outside of academic routine, – and hopefully gave participants a bit of tailwind for their ongoing research at the Rhine-Main Universities.
The next social networking event organized by GRADE will take participants to the MainÄppelHaus on Frankfurt’s Lohrberg.
For more information, visit the GRADE website.
