BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam//NONSGML v1.0//EN NAME:PhD defence K. Penner METHOD:PUBLISH BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART:20260422T134500 DTEND:20260422T151500 DTSTAMP:20260422T134500 UID:2026/phd-defence-k-penner@8F96275E-9F55-4B3F-A143-836282E12573 CREATED:20260414T010803 LOCATION:(1st floor) Auditorium, Main building De Boelelaan 1105 1081 HV Amsterdam SUMMARY:PhD defence K. Penner X-ALT-DESC;FMTTYPE=text/html:

Living in many worlds

Between Two Worlds: How PhD Theology Candidates from Post-Sovi et Countries Enrich the Academy

At the same time, enormous add ed value lies precisely in this complex background. The PhD candidate s contribute to the theological debate with original insights from a context that was for a long time relatively isolated. Consequently, t heir research possesses not only academic value but also societal rel evance.

Targeted Support
Penner demonstrate s that targeted support is crucial for their success. A combination o f structured guidance and practical training—for example, in resear ch methods, critical thinking, and academic writing in English—help s these students find their way. Intercultural supervision also plays a key role: supervisors must not only be strong in content but also be attuned to cultural differences and additional pressure.

Fur thermore, it appears that social and academic connectedness is essent ial. PhD candidates who actively participate in both a familiar, cont extually related community and an international research group experi ence less isolation and develop more strongly. This helps them bridge the tension between the different ‘worlds’ in which they live.

Universities can make their PhD programs more inclusive and effe ctive by better addressing the specific needs of international part-t ime PhD candidates. This leads to higher success rates, better resear ch quality, and innovative themes within theology.

Opportunitie s also exist for churches and faith communities. By actively contribu ting to the personal, academic, and spiritual development of these st udents, they can support a new generation of theologians who build br idges between cultures and contribute to societal issues. With the ri ght support, these PhD candidates can grow into important voices in b oth academia and society.

More information on the thesis

DESCRIPTION:

Between Two Worlds: How PhD Theology Candidates from Post-Soviet Countries Enrich the Academy

PhD theology candidates from post-Soviet countries bring new perspectives and ideas to the a cademic world, but their path to a doctorate often proves more comple x than that of other PhD candidates. Katharina Penner's research show s that this group faces a unique combination of obstacles: major diff erences between education systems and research cultures, language bar riers, administrative hurdles, and the impact of political and econom ic instability in their home countries. At the same time, enormous ad ded value lies precisely in this complex background. The PhD candidat es contribute to the theological debate with original insights from a context that was for a long time relatively isolated. Consequently, their research possesses not only academic value but also societal re levance. Targeted Support
Penner demonstrates tha t targeted support is crucial for their success. A combination of str uctured guidance and practical training—for example, in research me thods, critical thinking, and academic writing in English—helps the se students find their way. Intercultural supervision also plays a ke y role: supervisors must not only be strong in content but also be at tuned to cultural differences and additional pressure. Furthermore, i t appears that social and academic connectedness is essential. PhD ca ndidates who actively participate in both a familiar, contextually re lated community and an international research group experience less i solation and develop more strongly. This helps them bridge the tensio n between the different ‘worlds’ in which they live. Universities can make their PhD programs more inclusive and effective by better a ddressing the specific needs of international part-time PhD candidate s. This leads to higher success rates, better research quality, and i nnovative themes within theology. Opportunities also exist for church es and faith communities. By actively contributing to the personal, a cademic, and spiritual development of these students, they can suppor t a new generation of theologians who build bridges between cultures and contribute to societal issues. With the right support, these PhD candidates can grow into important voices in both academia and societ y. More information on the thesis Living in many worlds END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR