Last week’s CRC1449 Students Retreat brought doctoral researchers together for presentations, workshops, and networking at a scenic countryside venue. Among them, PhD candidate Polina Ponomareva delivered her talk on the final morning—immediately after an evening of social events—and nonetheless captivated the audience. Her presentation sparked lively discussions and widespread interest in her research, leading to new ideas for co-authored papers and joint projects.

The retreat fostered a strong sense of community, with informal gatherings allowing students to share fieldwork tips, troubleshoot challenges, and plan lab visits across institutions. And also it's just fun!