Technische Universität Berlin
ZEWK (Central Institution Scientific Continuing Education and Cooperation)
As a postdoctoral researcher aiming for an academic career, teaching often becomes a central aspect of your professional responsibilities. To help you excel in this role, the ZEWK (Scientific Continuing Education and Cooperation) at Technische Universität Berlin offers comprehensive support tailored explicitly to the needs of early-career academics as well as seasoned lecturers.
“Teaching might not always be perceived as the core task of researchers striving for professorships, yet it remains indispensable,” says Dr. Björn Kiehne, head of the Teaching and Learning division at ZEWK. Acknowledging the importance of strong pedagogical skills, ZEWK offers specialized training programs, individualized consultations, and valuable resources to enhance your teaching practice.
ZEWK’s extensive range of workshops, available both online and in person, cover everything from course design and interactive teaching techniques to effectively integrating digital tools and evaluation methods. These courses emphasize practicality, enabling you to directly apply newly acquired skills to your everyday teaching tasks. Whether you’re just beginning your teaching journey or you’re an experienced educator looking to refresh your approach, these interactive sessions provide practical strategies for crafting engaging and cohesive courses.
The courses and workshops are open to all researchers and postdocs affiliated with TU Berlin and the Berlin University Alliance (BUA) and are free of charge. Participating in these programs not only strengthens your teaching abilities but also significantly boosts your academic profile. As Dr. Kiehne says: “Good teaching saves time, aligns goals clearly, and creates meaningful learning experiences.”
Accredited Certificate Programs
ZEWK provides three certification tracks designed to address different professional needs:
- TU-Certificate Program: A comprehensive, three-level qualification including foundational and advanced modules, complemented by reflective documentation of your teaching experiences.
- Digital Teaching Certificate: Tailored for academics keen on mastering digital media, this program enhances your competence with digital teaching tools
- TiE-BAC Certificate: Created specifically for international guest researchers and lecturers teaching in English, this program addresses the distinct challenges faced by non-native speakers.
Additionally, as part of the ENHANCE alliance, ZEWK participants can also enroll in the Micro-Credential CHET (Certificate in Higher Education Teaching), further enhancing your academic teaching qualifications.
All ZEWK certificates meet standards accredited by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Hochschuldidaktik (DGHD), ensuring nationwide recognition and compliance with the European Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ESG). This guarantees international acceptance and supports academic mobility.
Personal Consultations and Specialized Support
Acknowledging that teaching can feel challenging, particularly given high self-expectations and professional pressures, ZEWK offers individualized consultations. These sessions address various teaching-related issues, including group management, student conflicts, and stress management strategies. A core component of ZEWK’s approach is also supporting postdocs in developing their teaching portfolios. These portfolios reflect your pedagogical skills, showcase your teaching philosophy, and document your methods and successful practices, serving as powerful tools for future academic applications.
Beyond individual support, ZEWK actively encourages community-building among postdocs from diverse disciplines and institutions within the Berlin University Alliance. Initiatives like the “Lunch for Good Teaching” regularly offer opportunities to exchange experiences, discuss challenges, and explore best practices. These informal gatherings not only foster peer learning but also nurture an inclusive, sustainable, and forward-thinking teaching environment.