Innovative thinking in your research

- Practical Tools for PhD Students

Content

How do you move forward when an experiment raises more questions than answers, your usual approach stops working, or you need a fresh perspective on your project?

Developing ideas and finding ways through uncertainty are everyday parts of a PhD. This practical workshop introduces tools to help you explore research challenges, consider alternative approaches and collaborate more effectively with your colleagues.

Through presentations, exercises and discussion, you will experiment with methods for generating ideas, questioning assumptions and approaching problems from different perspectives. You will also explore how group dynamics can help—or hinder—the development of ideas.

The workshop focuses on creativity as a practical research skill: something you can practise and apply in your daily work. You do not need to consider yourself a “creative person” to take part.

What you will gain

The workshop will help you:

  • Explore alternative approaches when you feel stuck on a research problem.
  • Recognise habits and assumptions that may limit the options you consider.
  • Use practical techniques to generate and develop research ideas.
  • Contribute to more productive brainstorming sessions and research discussions.
  • Identify ways to apply these approaches in your own PhD work.

Learning objectives

By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to:

  • Explain how creative thinking contributes to scientific research.
  • Recognise common barriers to generating and sharing ideas.
  • Apply selected techniques to explore problems and develop possible approaches.
  • Identify how group dynamics and the research environment influence the exchange of ideas.
  • Describe how to incorporate these methods into everyday research practice.

Participants

PhD students at any stage who want practical tools for developing ideas, approaching research challenges and working with others.

Max. 20 PhD students. The course is open to all PhD students enrolled in the MoMeD (Molecular Mechanisms of Disease) graduate programme at any stage of their PhD. While external PhD students are welcome to apply, priority will be given to MoMeD applicants in the allocation of places.

Language

English

Date

3 March 2027, 9:00-16:00

Lunch will be provided.

Venue

Seminar room, 2nd floor, BRIC, Ole Maaløes Vej. 2200 København N

Registration

Registrate here https://eventsignup.ku.dk/innovativethinking2027/ 

Deadline extended: 8 February 2027

ECTS credits can be awarded by the Graduate School.

Course contact

MoMed Team, momed@bric.ku.dk