Science_Link: Weekend of research questions 2025

The “Weekend of Research Questions” workshop took place for the seventh time this year. From May 22 to 24, 2025, students from various universities met at the Gasthof Zirbenhof in Innerkrems to work on current research questions from different disciplines. A total of six female students from various fields of study participated, including the Alpen–Adria University of Klagenfurt, the University of Applied Sciences Carinthia, the University of Education Carinthia, and the University of Applied Sciences for Technology and Economics of Saarland (HTW Saar) from Germany. The students developed ideas for their scientific theses in the context of the Nockberge Biosphere Park and got to know the Nock region.

Among the highlights of the content were the presentation by Petr Cupa, Director of the Lower Morava Biosphere Park in the Czech Republic, as well as the contribution by Helge Kminek (Alpen–Adria University Klagenfurt) on the topic of “History and selected models of transdisciplinary research“.

The evening program was also varied: On the first evening, Christian Diry led an interactive “sustainability” game that encouraged reflection and discussion. On the second evening, participants were able to learn about and try out the Carinthian tradition of Kasnudl–Krendeln in a practical workshop.

A special highlight was the tried–and–true “Creative Walk” – a joint walk accompanied by a ranger from the Biosphere Park and other experts. The exchange in nature provided space for new perspectives and creative ideas in a relaxed atmosphere.

Furthermore, the entire research workshop placed great emphasis on dialogue between science, practice, and personal approaches. In small group and plenary discussions, participants had the opportunity to reflect on their own research interests. The goal of the workshop was to contribute to the sharpening of one’s own research questions through collaborative work in an open, interdisciplinary setting and to further develop the topics of the respective student thesis with the support of the SCiENCE_LINK team.