Doctoral Experience Week

The Doctoral School will be hosting the Doctoral Experience Week (DEW) 2026 in May. DEW2026 offers a platform to showcase the research conducted within in the Doctoral Programmes at the University of Helsinki while exploring the diverse futures for doctoral researchers after graduation. DEW206 also focuses on fostering connections with industries and the broader society.
What is DEW?

The Doctoral Schools will be hosting the Doctoral Experience Week (DEW) 2026. Taking place on 25.-28.5. at the University of Helsinki, DEW2026 offers a platform to showcase the research conducted within in the Doctoral Programmes at the University of Helsinki while exploring the diverse futures for doctoral researchers after graduation. DEW206 also focuses on fostering connections with industries and the broader society. 

The program will include a mix of different events for all doctoral researchers, including a kick-off for the new doctoral programmes, various forums and workshops, and Three Minute Thesis competition. In addition, the University of Helsinki Doctoral School is excited to host PhD Summerfest, on May 28th. This event welcomes all doctoral researchers and supervisors, and the party will be held in the Main Building. 

Please see a preliminary schedule below! 

Program
Monday May 25

We will kick-off the week with a kick-off event for the new doctoral programmes in the afternoon. 

Program for all doctoral researchers

9.00-12.00 Communicating your research – why and how? (City Center Campus)

10.00-12.00 Networking 101 – tips and tricks for growing your professional footprint (Think Nook, Yliopistonkatu 4)

13.00-15.00 Doctoral Programme Kick-off (Think Corner, Yliopistonkatu 4) 

Tuesday May 26

Tuesday is packed with different activities organized for all doctoral researchers.  

Program for all doctoral researchers

10.00-12.00 Pitch Clinic – to-dos and don’ts of presenting yourself (Think Lounge, Yliopistonkatu 4)

13.00-15.00 CV Clinic – guide to the perfect resume (Think Lounge, Yliopistonkatu 4)

17.00-19.00 Future of Work for Doctoral Graduates -seminar series (Think Corner, Yliopistonkatu 4) 

Wednesday May 27

Wednesday highlights include the final of Three Minute Thesis competition. 

Program for all doctoral researchers

10.00-12.00 PhD graduates in the private sector – a speaker event, (Think Lounge, Yliopistonkatu 4)

13.00-15.00 Informal interview – 1-on-1 discussions with PhD graduates in the working life, (Think Nook, Yliopistonkatu 4)

17.00-19.00 Final round of Three Minute Thesis competition, (Think Corner, Yliopistonkatu 4) 

Thursday May 28

We will end the week on Thursday with the PhD Summerfest! 

Program for all doctoral researchers

10.00-12.00 Pitch Clinic – to-dos and don’ts of presenting yourself (Think Lounge, Yliopistonkatu 4)

17.00-23.00 PhD Summerfest (Main Building, Fabianinkatu 33) 

Meet our speakers and presenters

This year's speakers and presenters will be published here soon!

How to get ETCS from DEW?

Doctoral researcher can get 1 ECTS by completing the following: 

  • The course Networking for Researchers covers the key elements needed to acquire or perfect effective professional networking skills for scientific researchers. In this course you will discover how building a professional network will benefit your research and career, and learn the skills to build and maintain networking connections in a variety of settings, both in-person and online.
  • Participation in the following DEW events: 
    • Monday opening ceremony 
    • Tuesday afternoon lecture 
    • Wednesday career forum 
    • Thursday closing session

This can be registered under transferable skills under the code PHD-352 Optional studies in professional development 2.

If you want these to be registered as a discipline-specific studies course code, please check from your doctoral programme. 

In addition to this, doctoral researchers participating in the campus-specific activities and/or Three Minute Thesis competition, can get an additional 1 ECTS (for example under PHD-251 Optional studies in scientific communication and societal impact 1).