Doctoral student representation at the TÜSE

The two doctoral representatives advocate for the concerns and interests of doctoral researchers at the TüSE who, through their work at the respective faculties, are involved in topics around teacher education, schools and teaching. In this role, they participate in the meetings of the School Board, the central body of the TüSE, and represent the concerns of doctoral researchers to the TüSE executive board and management. In addition, they actively influence the design of the TüSE's TüNaProDoc programme for early career researchers and the programme of the annual doctoral convention.

To ensure the best possible dialogue between the TüSE and the doctoral students, the two doctoral representatives are in constant communication with their peer group. To this end, but also to support the networking of doctoral students across the various faculties in the best possible way, the two representatives regularly organise informal get-togethers.

The doctoral student representatives are elected by their status group, which annually appoints two people from their ranks to represent their interests at the TüSE. The work performed is honoured with a certificate at the end of each term of office.

Current doctoral student representation in the School Board

Jana Boos (principal representative) and Lucy Haag (representative) were elected to the office for the current term of office (September 2024 - August 2025).

Jana Boos

My name is Jana Boos and I am doing my doctorate at the Tübingen Center for Digital Education (TüCeDE) on training prospective teachers in AI skills with a focus on ethics and society. The development of critical reflective media literacy at the intersection of technology, ethics, and education has been close to my heart ever since I worked as a student and research assistant on TüSE projects related to digitization in teacher training in Tübingen. As a former teacher education student (subjects: Philosophy/Ethics and Latin), the transfer to school practice is particularly important to me. For this reason, I am involved in this area and regularly engage in science communication in a school context.

In my role as doctoral student representative at the TüSE, I would like to promote interdisciplinary exchange between doctoral students and realize this in low-threshold, informal settings—for example, during lunch breaks. Because I believe that we as PhD students can benefit greatly from each other, I would like to create a digital space where we can share our resources, tips, and tricks with each other—sharing is caring.

I consider it my essential task to build a bridge between the concerns and interests of all doctoral students and the university committees.

I am happy to provide support myself or refer you to someone else if help is needed: whether it's with the application process for TüNaProDoc, questions about the annual doctoral student convention at TüSE, or personal concerns.

Contact
jana-sophie.boosspam prevention@uni-tuebingen.de

Katharina Leibfarth

My name is Katharina Leibfarth, I am a doctoral candidate and research assistant in the Physics Didactics working group. My doctoral thesis focuses on the use of models in physics education, particularly for promoting conceptual understanding in electricity.

Previously, I studied Mathematics and Physics at Tübingen University with the aim of becoming a teacher at a grammar school, and at the same time worked as a research assistant. As a former teacher education student, I am also delighted to be in close contact with schools today through my work as head of the physics laboratories for pupils. I consider the exchange between the university and schools to be very valuable and would like to continue to play an active role in shaping it.

As a doctoral student representative, I want to actively contribute to and help shape the concerns and interests of PhD students, as well as represent our perspectives in the further development of the TüSE. In addition, it is important to me to promote exchange and networking among doctoral students from different faculties and to facilitate this through regular digital and analog offerings. Whether through workshops, regular get-togethers, or joint coffee breaks, these activities complement everyday work in a relaxed atmosphere.

Contact
katharina.leibfarthspam prevention@uni-tuebingen.de

Contact

Dr. Sebastian Koch