Minor matters?Interview with Constanze Struck about her involvement in the HRA Doctoral Council

12 April 2023

Photo: Struck

In the doctoral phase, you dive deep into your own topic while in many cases already publishing diligently and gaining teaching experience. All of this is often so time-consuming that other activities become, at least at times, a minor matter for many doctoral candidates.

In our interview series, we present doctoral students who are nevertheless involved in the university environment alongside their research work – but why, what does that do for them and how do they balance it all? Today we are talking to Constanze Struck, who is doing a doctorate in educational science at the University of Hamburg on the opportunities and limits of philosophizing with children in everyday school life.

What exactly is this "minor matter" you are involved in besides your doctorate?

Since May 2022, I am part of the HRA doctoral council, advocating for the interests of doctoral candidates in Hamburg. Many doctoral students are new to the city, looking for new contacts or in need of other support. In the Doctoral Council, we collect such needs and develop cross-university offers. We offer e.g. a regulars’ table and co-working sessions, as well as peer2peer consultations. One of my tasks in the Doctoral Council is to increase visibility. I manage our Instagram account, which we use to share information about our work.

Why do you invest your (certainly often scarce) time and energy here?

I have been involved in various fields for years because I think that if you want change, you have to take action yourself. With the Doctoral Council, for the first time I have a voluntary position that is closely related to my own situation. This makes it easier for me to identify problems and develop solutions. The work is time-consuming, but also fun. This is particularly due to the team and the diverse tasks. But also the events where we bring people into contact with each other show me that the effort is worth it.

What tips do you have on how to get started with such a commitment without having to go beyond your own limits?

My tip is to be clear from the outset about what you can achieve, and to communicate this openly. I find it helpful to have a clearly defined responsibility to focus on. On the subject of time management: it helps me to process the tasks in blocks. I can't do something for the Doctoral Council every day without my other tasks suffering as a result. Therefore, I do everything in one go, for example when planning an event. I also think realistically about what I can achieve, and seek support in good time.