CIVICA ESR
COURSE CATALOGUE

Seminar offered by Dondena Research Center (Spring 2026 seminar series) ----- May 4th 2026 12:45-2:00pm (UTC+1) ------ CIVICA ESR can attend ONLINE only. Zoom meetings link will be available upon registration. ------ SEMINAR DESCRIPTION: Did Western colonial rule transform African political institutions? Despite extensive research on indirect rule, we have little systematic evidence about how colonizers’ aims interacted with the structure of indigenous institutions to shape local governance. We explain why colonizers faced incentives to delegate authority to traditionally legitimate institutions, even in historically decentralized areas. Empirically, we analyze originally compiled data on African political institutions in the precolonial and colonial periods for more than 450 subnational units across British Africa. We focus on councils as a form of executive constraints. Subnational councils were widespread, exhibited strong correlations with precolonial institutions and patterns of socioeconomic development, and exerted meaningful decision-making powers. ----- BIO: Jutta Bolt is a professor of global economic history at the University of Groningen. Her research focuses on understanding long-term patterns of economic development, with a special focus on Africa.
Teachers:

• Jutta Bolt ()

Have you ever failed an exam, had a paper rejected, or not been short-listed for a job? Professional setbacks are an inevitable part of academic life and learning how to navigate through them is critical. While universities excel in preparing students for success, there is considerably less advice on how to recover from perceived failures. This interactive workshop will offer a different perspective on professional setbacks while exploring techniques for moving beyond your disappointments with greater ease.

We will explore some of the benefits of bringing coaching approaches to your work with students, including in assisting them in setting goals, increasing their sense of ownership and providing them with a safe and constructive space in which to develop, and practice the approaches with peers.

Completing a PhD can be an immensely rewarding yet isolating experience. The independent nature of doctoral work often results in students spending countless hours on their own. In the post-pandemic world, where a great deal of interaction continues to be virtual, persistent isolation often leads to feelings of loneliness. This is even more pronounced for students who are abroad in unfamiliar places, without the proximity of family and friends. In this workshop we will explore PhD isolation and loneliness. We will consider how to manage loneliness throughout the PhD, examine the concept of community, and discuss ways to establish meaningful connections throughout your doctoral studies.

Do you spend more time worrying about the future than working on your PhD? Are you filled with fear over what will come next and feeling compelled to have everything figured out? Come along to this workshop as we explore how to manage the anxiety surrounding your post-PhD plans. During the session we will consider how to cultivate greater presence with where you are now, explore ways to identify and manage future-oriented thoughts, and reflect on how to productively plan for the next step beyond the PhD.

Note: Only applications submitted through our official registration form will be considered for this course. Link for the registration form: https://forms.office.com/e/T04avEC2vx . Course Description: This interactive workshop explores how to balance academic responsibilities with the mental load of family life. The first session will be led by Dr. Desiree Dickerson, who brings extensive expertise on this topic, while the second session will feature Hertie School alumni sharing their experiences and practical insights. Participants will reflect on how to maintain a sustainable work-life balance when personal responsibilities require significant cognitive and emotional effort. The workshop will address how to better share planning and management tasks at home, rather than simply delegating them, and how to navigate feelings of stress, worry, and guilt. Dates & Times (Online): 5 June 2026 – 11:00 to 12:30 12 June 2026 – 11:00 to 12:30 Credits: This course does not offer ECTS credits. Learning Objectives: By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to: Understand the concept of mental load and how it manifests in daily life, Recognize signs of burnout and identify strategies to prevent it, Apply techniques for taking meaningful and restorative breaks, Improve work effectiveness to create more quality time at home, Identify and interrupt patterns of worry and self-doubt, Practice mindfulness and self-compassion in both professional and personal contexts.

Only applications submitted through our official registration form will be considered for this course. Link for the registration form: https://forms.office.com/e/EZsGGXmL1t . This skills-based course introduces participants to the theory and practice of teaching in higher education. It combines conceptual foundations with practical application, allowing participants to engage in hands-on exercises such as individual teaching sessions. The course covers key strategies for effective teaching and learning, including inclusive classroom practices, and provides guidance on course design. Participants will develop their own course proposal, which together with the certificate, can be included in their academic teaching portfolio when applying for teaching positions. Course Dates and Times Online -  we will share the link close to date: 15 June 2026: 09:00–17:00 16 June 2026: 09:00–17:00 17 June 2026: 13:30–17:30 Micro teaching: 19 June 2026: 09:00–17:00 The course is open to those with no teaching experience, as well as those who would like to improve and reflect on their teaching practice. You will receive a teaching certificate upon successful completion of the course. To earn ECTS credits, participants are required to attend at least 80% of the course sessions. Please note that this registration is binding, meaning that participation may be cancelled up to 10 days in advance without giving any reason. We ask you to cancel early to give people on the waiting list the chance to participate. If the participation is cancelled after that, or if the doctoral candidate does not attend without notifying, the Hertie School PhD Team reserves the right to exclude their applications from attending other trainings. In case of any questions, please write to phd-team@hertie-school.org.
Entry requirements: PhD researchers from their 2nd year onwards Little or no prior teaching experience Commitment to attend all sessions and actively participate in exercises

Note: Only applications submitted through our official registration form will be considered for this course. Link for the registration form: https://forms.office.com/e/nYiLpKy9XK . Course Description: This hands-on workshop introduces the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools in research and academia, with a focus on generative AI. It combines practical exercises with conceptual input to help participants understand how to integrate AI tools into academic workflows responsibly and effectively. Key topics include ethical considerations (such as bias and data privacy), institutional guidelines, prompt engineering, and a range of academic applications including literature review, data analysis, writing support, and research design. The workshop also addresses limitations of AI tools and future developments in the field. Dates & Times (Online): - 17 June 2026 – 09:00 to 13:00 - 18 June 2026 – 09:00 to 13:00 Credits: 1 ECTS Learning Objectives: By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to: -Understand the role, benefits, and risks of AI use in research and academia -Apply effective prompt engineering for academic tasks -Integrate AI tools into their research workflows responsibly and efficiently -Critically evaluate ethical considerations, including bias and data privacy -Stay informed about emerging developments in AI applications

Do you have a viva or an upgrade coming up that you are anxious about? Does the prospect of defending your work fill you with fear and dread? This workshop will consider some common concerns that arise during the viva and upgrade process. We will discuss what to expect during your viva, practical ways to prepare, and tips for managing your fears surrounding the process.