In December 2012, the integrated Research Training Group (Modul Graduiertenkolleg, MGK) of the SFB 986 started with a 3-day retreat in Bad Bevensen. The kick-off was led by Claudia Walter (DiZ – Center for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education) in close cooperation with Prof. Christian Kautz (TUHH) and with additional contributions to the program from Dr. Ulrike Herzog and Arne Wulf. Besides forging closer professional and personal connections between the participants, a major objective of the event was to provide an overview of the research projects in the SFB. The project leaders briefly presented their projects and facilitated intensive discussions with colleagues and MGK members.

 The organizers gave an outline of future MGK events and provided an opportunity for the participants to express their expectations in this regard. The results from this discussion are being used to plan future MGK events. As a preparation for the planned tutorials in the MGK, Prof. Kautz gave an introduction to "teaching methods in science and technology" that included a sample tutorial and a demonstration of clicker systems. Other topics discussed were 'academic integrity' and 'a dissertation as a project'.