Contents
Working effectively with your PI is one of the most important and often most challenging aspects of doing a PhD.
Whether you need to ask for support, navigate disagreements, or communicate your ideas clearly, strong communication skills can help to set (common) goals, prevent misunderstandings, address challenges early, and build a productive working relationship.
In this interactive workshop, you will learn practical strategies for collaborating with your PI, influencing decisions without formal authority, and preparing for difficult conversations with confidence. You will also explore how to make meetings and emails more effective and how to build a network of peers who can provide advice, feedback, and support throughout your PhD.
Through practical exercises, reflection, and peer exchange, you will leave with concrete tools and communication techniques that you can apply immediately to strengthen your professional relationships and navigate everyday communication challenges at the lab with greater confidence.
Lecturer
Andrea Perino
Andrea received her PhD in conservation ecology from the Martin-Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (magna cum laude) in 2019. Her research is published in high-impact disciplinary and interdisciplinary journals including Science and Conservation Letters and has been covered by a large range of broadcast media (e.g., BBC, WDR, Süddeutsche Zeitung, ARTE).
From 2019 to 2024, Andrea served as Science-Policy Coordinator of the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) in Leipzig. In this capacity, she represented iDiv in global biodiversity policy processes such as the CBD’s negotiations towards the Kunming-Montréal Global Biodiversity Framework, developed and spear-headed an institution-wide science-policy strategy, advised national and federal state governments, planned and executed large high- level policy events, and supported scientists in presenting their research to both scientific and non-scientific audiences.
Since 2021 Andrea is certified as coach by the Coach Training Alliance (CTA) and since 2024 she is self-employed as trainer and coach, working with early-career researchers and professionals who work in intellectually challenging, high-impact, high-competition environments.