ITSC-IC Seminar – EO-Board Report

Aim of the board

The two main tasks of the EO-Board covering the organisation of the abstract seminars and the peer-review process. In the abstract seminar the participants present the abstracts of their bachelor thesis in assigned peer-review groups and have the opportunity to learn general guidelines of writing scientific abstracts

However, the greatest effort is put into the organisation and proceeding the peer-review process. It is conducted in small groups of 10 participants and is led by two group leaders. In this process the short communications, submitted by the students, will be passed on to two other participants, who will review them and will give suggestions for improvements.

The EO-SEB in particular has the task of coordinating the EO-Board tasks and is responsible for the communication between the other boards, as well serving as an address for all minor or major issues.

Structure/Organisation of the board

The EO-Board consists of the two group headleaders, the EO-SEB, and the two group leaders of each individual peer-review group. This year (WS 2020 – SS 2021), the communication between the leaders of the peer-review groups was entirely proceeded via email, since it was easier for the EO-SEB to collectively share all important informations. And if necessary, we could also be reached at any time by email or via Whatsapp.

The communications with the other members of the SEB team took place via zoom meetings as soon the need arose (e.g. to determine the deadline for the poster symposium). Thus, there were no regular appointments with the other SEB members.

Tasks 

The main tasks of the EO-SEB addresses the organisation of the entire EO-Board and the communication with the other SEB members.

At the beginning of a new ITSC-IC year, the organisation of the board includes the assignment of the new participants to the individual peer review groups. This can be done, for example, with the help of a survey in which all relevant informations are gathered. After that, the  participants were divided into the different groups based on several criteria.

Afterwards the group leaders were informed, so the formal details of the short communications and submission deadlines were specified. From this point on, the peer review process was carried out by the respective group leaders.

In the further progress, we were still responsible for finding solutions of any upcoming problems (e.g. non-compliance with the submission deadlines), as well as the communication with the other board members and with Mr. Gemel.

Personal conclusion

In this course, you get a good insight into how a peer review is proceeded and how it can be organised. It also teaches how to manage a good organisation and how to solve problems.

I would definitely recommend the seminar because it is very benefical to get an insight into the peer review process and to learn many basic things like good organisation, communication and problem solving.