Freiburg Rising Stars Academy 2025–26 CONFERENCE Week: A Week of Exchange, Ideas and New Beginnings
From March 16th to 20th, 2026, the Freiburg Rising Stars Academy welcomed its 2025–26 cohort to Freiburg for the Conference Week, marking the first in-person gathering of Rising Stars and their Host Principal Investigators. The week brought together 28 early-career researchers from around the world and created a dynamic space for interdisciplinary exchange, collaboration, and community building. Throughout the week, the programme combined workshops, research engagement, and networking opportunities across the University of Freiburg and its partner institutions.
The Conference week began on Monday with a workshop on techniques of science presentations, offering practical input on how to communicate research effectively and with impact.
After the lunch break, all Rising Stars were welcomed to the University of Freiburg by Prof. Dr. Sylvia Paletschek, Vice Rector for University Culture. This was followed by a guided city tour of Freiburg, introducing participants to the city and its academic and cultural context. The day concluded with a visit to the Freiburg Institute for Advanced Studies (FRIAS), providing participants with insights into advanced research environments at the university.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, the Rising Stars spent time together with their Host PIs,: they got to know one another in person and took a closer look at the Rising Stars’ projects for the RESIDENCE. Further, the Rising Stars were introduced to other researchers and learned about their Host institutions. On Tuesday afternoon, participants gathered for a Fireside Chat titled “Building Career Pathways”, which provided an open and informal space to discuss academic careers, challenges, and personal experiences within academia. Dr. Femi Oladele and Jun. Prof. Dr. Edoardo Milana, both alumni of the FRSA, gave an insight into their career pathways in and outside of Freiburg.
Additionally, Dr. Cita Wetterich, Consultant for Learning and Development at the University of Freiburg, gave practical advice on how to start a career in Freiburg; she gave background information on what the Department Equity, Diversity and Academic Personnel Development offers researchers at the University of Freiburg.
On Thursday, the programme resumed with a workshop focusing on strategies for research funding and proposal development. The day culminated in the Scientific Conference, in which Rising Stars presented their research projects and engaged in interdisciplinary discussions with peers and university members.
The week concluded on Friday with the continuation of the Scientific Conference and the highlight of the week, the Rising Stars Night. In a celebratory setting in the University of Freiburg Peterhofkeller, posters showcased the Rising Stars’ research projects. Prof. Dr. Stefan Rensing, Vice Rector for Research and Innovation, celebrated with the Rising Stars and informed them about the selection for the FRSA RESIDENCE. All Rising Stars who applied for the Residence phase were selected, reflecting the exceptional quality, ambition, and potential of this year’s cohort.
Throughout the week, informal exchanges, shared experiences, and new encounters played a central role in shaping the atmosphere of openness and collaboration. From first meetings to the emergence of new ideas, the Conference Week laid the foundation for a year of multidisciplinary research and international cooperation within the Freiburg Rising Stars Academy.
Overall, the 2025–26 Conference Week marked a vibrant and inspiring start to the programme, bringing together a truly global cohort of researchers and reinforcing the Academy’s commitment to fostering academic excellence, collaboration, and exchange across disciplines and borders.