This year’s PhD Day took place on 19 March 2026 at the Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy (ATB). The event provided an excellent platform for intensive academic exchange and networking. This year, we took the opportunity to combine our PhD Day for the first time with the retreat of the Joint Lab “Artificial Intelligence & Data Science” (KI&DS) – a joint initiative of ATB and the University of Osnabrück – to further strengthen collaboration with our colleagues from Lower Saxony.

The varied programme included presentations by PhD students, in which they presented and discussed their current research projects and received valuable feedback. The participation of external professors, who actively contributed to the discussions, was particularly enriching. Inspiring keynote speeches and an insightful alumni discussion with Dr Jan Mumme (independent consultant for biochar and biogas, entrepreneur and start-up coach), which offered insights into career paths following a PhD, rounded off the academic programme.

In the run-up to PhD Day, a workshop on poster design was held with expert Mark Edwards, who specialises in effective scientific communication. A joint get-together event featuring a sightseeing tour of Potsdam created a relaxed atmosphere and encouraged personal interaction, particularly for the guests who had travelled from Lower Saxony.

The day concluded with a well-attended evening get-together, where discussions continued in a relaxed setting, contacts were strengthened and new ideas for future projects were brainstormed.

PhD Day 2026 was a resounding success and a strong sign of the vibrant and growing collaboration between ATB and its partners in Lower Saxony. An all-round successful day that has us looking forward to the next edition.