Recap: First SIIRI Summer School of the Second Funding Period Strengthens Interdisciplinary Exchange
The doctoral researchers, framed by Prof. Maier (1st from left), Prof. Stiesch (2nd from left), Prof. Wurz (1st from right, back row), Prof. Melk (2nd from right, front row), and Dr. Brandstätter (1st from right, front row).
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The doctoral researchers are visibly enjoying the workshop.
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The first SIIRI Summer School of the second funding period took place over the past two days, June 15th and 16th, 2026. It was hosted by our Integrated Research Training Group (IRTG) Implant Technologies and brought together new and experienced doctoral students from the SIIRI subprojects in a shared setting to get to know one another, exchange ideas, and network.
The consortium spokesperson, Prof. Meike Stiesch; the co-spokesperson, Prof. Hans Jürgen Maier; and the IRTG chairs, Prof. Anette Melk and Prof. Marc Christopher Wurz opened the Summer School with a joint welcome address, that also presented the context and shared goals of the second funding period.
SIIRI brings together expertise from medicine, dentistry, engineering, natural sciences, social sciences, and data science in joint projects. This disciplinary diversity is a key strength but also poses unique challenges for interdisciplinary collaboration. For this reason, the first day of the Summer School was entirely dedicated to interdisciplinarity, featuring a structured training session led by Dr. Simone Brandstädter. In a series of concerted modules, the participants explored fundamental aspects of interdisciplinary collaboration, reflected on mindset and communication in interdisciplinary projects, and developed strategies and tools for their day-to-day research practice.
In addition to these foundational topics, the second day offered ample opportunity for exchange, including discussions of scientific topics in presentations by doctoral students and the joint SIIRI Implant Lecture with Prof. Dr. Anke Leichtle, as well as team-building activities during a social that wrapped up the event.
