Reading the book "Getting things done": checked!
I have found in this book basic but very previous advice. First, identify the "open loops", what you have to do and what you would like to do. And then, decide what is the next action to get things done and feel good about it :). Next things on my to-do-list: buying mosquito repellent and pack my bag for Panama! Leaving in 11 days for my first fieldwork session, the clock is ticking...
0 Comments
Vielleicht ;) The second week of my intensive german class is over. I now have the basics to get along in Germany :).
Back to Konstanz, I will have time to work and especially to prepare my fieldwork to Panama! Furthermore, I was very happy also to hear about the nature association in which I was involved the two last years in Montpellier (GNUM). Since the beginning of the yeattwo batboxes are now settled on trees on the campus as you can see on this forum webpage. And tomorrow night, back to the visual impact class where I will namely have to design a logo for "my future dream company, my lab, your research, my Fußball team" or something else... I will keep you posted! Second time in Munich this week-end! After the Oktoberfest the first time, I took the time to discover the city. Here is a selection of photos from my tour. I am in Bayern for two weeks, I have now started my second week of an intensive german class! Ich bin mude aber spreche sehr gut deutsch ;). In two big weeks, departure to Panama for my first PhD fieldwork session!
Two links in this post to make the best of the technology available now:
- "How I use technology in my PhD", written by Dr Inger Mewburn. - For more softwares and applications, check this great list of "the 100 Best Web 2.0 Classroom Tools", compiled by Edudemic. This is one of my tasks of the moment, writing a research proposal that I will give back to my doctoral school after the 6 first months of the PhD (January!). This document is very likely to be used as a grant proposal to find money to pay for the numerous costs involved by research: the salary but also the fieldwork equipment-travels-accommodation, travel costs to conferences and sometimes fees to publish scientific papers. Here is an useful link for tips about how to write a research proposal.
Tonight, I went to the introduction course at the Uni of Konstanz called VISUAL IMPACT: The use and abuse of visual information in science and beyond, realised by a researcher passionate about insects: Barrett Klein. In one sentence, the aim of this course is to "Create publishable scientific illustrations, produce excellent visual presentations, and become a better visual communicator". Very nice program that I will have the opportunity to follow during evening classes at the Uni but also as workshops organised by my doctoral school. Looking forward to be back to you with some of my work :) !
Last week, I followed with a bunch of students of my doctoral school IMPRS for Organismal Biology the course Coping with the challenges of a PhD organised by Tress and Tress. Many tips have been issued. A key to a successful thesis would be good planning, over the three years of such a project! I worked on it during the past few days, a real puzzle in light of the many research activities: reading publications, doing fieldwork, analysing data, writing papers, preparing talks and so on!
Actually, I am focusing on my PhD proposal which should be completed and validated by early next year. Thursday 13th of October was the enrollment ceremony of the second generation of IMPRS students! Photos are available on the Pictures page :).
Sunday 2th October, my doctoral school met at Munich for the Oktoberfest, the largest carnival in the world! The next day was a holiday, we took the opportunity to discover the Gorges Partnach and the adjacent ski jumping station. The three following days were dedicated to the discovery of the research teams of the Max Planck Institute for Ornithology in Seewiesen. Photos are available at this adress !
I'm not bored because I have a busy schedule! Among other things, I take care of administrative tasks for my arrival in Germany and my future trips to Panama, I write the introduction to my thesis, I prepare my first field mission in Panama (from 28/11 to 18/12 / 2011), not to mention participation in activities organized by my doctoral school, l'International Max Planck Research School for Organismal Biology.
The first activity was a seminar on public awareness, held in the Bavarian Alps (Edmund Probst hut), from 21 to 24 September 2011. The majority of students of the doctoral school were gathered for the occasion. The keynote speaker was Meg Lowman (aka Canopy Meg) a biologist known for his work in the canopy of tropical forests and also very involved in the sharing of scientific knowledge. The program for this seminar presentations were discussions, projects and excursions! A selection of photos is available here. The idea was raised that each student makes a one-minute video on his research topic. Assisted by three other students, I also worked on a documentary project on my fieldwork in Panama ... First step: writing the script. Stay tuned! Yann |
AuthorLittle blog about my bat research and conservation action |