Why researchers should celebrate failures: The Uni Graz “Fiasco Fest” goes international

Johanna Stadlbauer and Sabine Bergner (from left) are now taking the "Fiasco Fest" concept they developed to other universities in the European University Alliance Arqus. Photo: Paulino Jimenez

They say you learn from your mistakes. And this is true, especially for science. "Failure is a core element of research," says psychologist Sabine Bergner. "Because in order to find creative solutions, we have to try out new things without knowing whether they will work." However, failures in academia are often perceived as shameful and are not discussed openly. To change this, Bergner and Johanna Stadlbauer launched the "Fiasco Fest" at the University of Graz three years ago. The initiative has proved its worth. Therefore, the concept is now also being implemented at other universities of the Arqus European University Alliance.

Excellent research requires creativity, a willingness to take risks and commitment. The fear of making mistakes not only hinders scientists in their personal development, but also harms research as a whole. Sabine Bergner and Johanna Stadlbauer give doctoral researchers and postdocs the opportunity to talk openly about hurdles and failures in a safe environment. "We want to celebrate mistakes so that we can learn from them more easily," says Stadlbauer. "At the Fiasco Fest, researchers who are at the beginning of their scientific careers talk about highlights and failures and analyse together what they have experienced as fiascos and why," explains the Head of the Postdoc Office at the University of Graz. Together, they then explore what resources they have used so far to overcome inevitable setbacks and are given even more tools for personal development.

The concept met with such great interest in the European University Alliance Arqus that it is now also to be implemented at Maynooth University (Ireland), the University of Padua (Italy), the University of Wroclaw (Poland) and the Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1 (France). In order to lead the "Fiasco Fest" at their institution, colleagues from these universities will receive appropriate training in a train-the-trainer workshop. The "Pedagogy Playbook", a handbook with information on the content and objectives of the "Fiasco Fest", provides additional support for preparation and implementation. The project is being funded by the Arqus European University Alliance Innovation Fund with 10,000 euros.

More information on „Fiasco Fest goes Arqus“

Gudrun Pichler

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