Why a relaxed chat opens more doors than handing out twenty business cards

PhD candidates share how the first OpenEU Summer School proved that true research connections go far beyond traditional networking

PhD life can often feel as though it unfolds entirely in a vacuum, isolated among literature reviews and datasets. Yet genuine research does not happen in a vacuum. OpenEU’s doctoral gatherings are not simply about showcasing impressive concepts or innovative methodologies; they are fundamentally about connecting with the people behind them.

An authentic conversation can generate far more opportunities than exchanging twenty business cards

As Anna Prodromou (Hellenic Open University) observed, a genuine, human conversation over a drink can spark far more possibilities than conventional networking ever could—because that is precisely where unexpected synergies and major collaborations begin.

This same conclusion was shared by Laura Schrimpf and Marta Puerta, two UNED doctoral candidates who took part in the inaugural OpenEU Summer School in The Hague, hosted by the Open Universiteit of the Netherlands. Attending in person to discuss her epidemiological work in public health, Marta Puerta reflected:

Without doubt, the greatest value of this experience was the opportunity to build connections with professionals from diverse fields and countries, share our experiences as doctoral candidates, and gain diverse perspectives on research and its challenges.

Laura Schrimpf, who joined online from the field of psychology, similarly emphasised how a collaborative, open atmosphere enriches independent study:

The feedback on my research gave me another perspective and provided fresh ideas.

Crucially, this cross-disciplinary momentum is not confined to the summer months. Reflecting on her experience at the first Winter School, Christiana Gregoriou Christodoulou, a PhD student at the Open University of Cyprus, highlighted how vital such spaces are for expanding one's horizons:

Participating in the first Winter School was a truly rewarding, valuable, and enriching experience for me. It gave me the opportunity to learn new things, exchange ideas, and gain new perspectives. It is a wonderful opportunity for personal growth and building meaningful connections with people from different backgrounds.

In the end, it comes down to fewer business cards handed out purely out of obligation, and more unhurried conversations with peers navigating the very same research hurdles.

📍 Next stop: OpenEU Winter School in Athens (November 2026).