For the first time, the research workshop of the SCiENCE_LINKnockberge cooperation project took place in winter. This time the venue was the Landgasthof Unterwirt in Kaning, where a total of six students from different fields of study at Alpen-Adria-University Klagenfurt and Carinthia University of Applied Sciences discussed possible research ideas together. The introductory presentation by Heinz Mayer (Biosphere Reserve Management), peppered with exciting facts about the Nockberge Biosphere Reserve, opened the research weekend. Günter Köck from the MAB National Committee welcomed the participants during a short conference call. After a round of introductions from the participating students, the first intensive working sessions followed, which were facilitated by the SCiENCE_LINK team. The students not only learned basic techniques of scientific work, but also received input on narrowing down the topics of their Bachelor's or Master's theses. To round off the first working day, the students enjoyed the social programme at Gasthof Wacker in the evening, where an ice curling tournament provided entertainment for hours.

On the second day of the workshop, the research group explored the mill hiking trail in Kaning accompanied by a biosphere reserve ranger. During this "creative walk", the students had the opportunity to exchange ideas with experts from science and research. The expertise from the Nockberge Biosphere Reserve, Alpen-Adria University and Carinthia University of Applied Sciences flowed into the subsequent further work phases of the student group, so that the students could gather further perspectives for their research projects. Feedback from the experts rounded off the final working session. The "Weekend of Research Questions" was concluded with a cosy snack and presentation of the research questions developed by the students.

The student research topics are strongly related to applied topics of the Nockberge Biosphere Reserve. The workshop in the Nock region gave the students the opportunity to get a taste of their possible fields of research, allowing them to begin writing their theses. The SCiENCE_LINK team is looking forward to the future and to the outcomes of the Bachelor's or Master's theses.