Could you please introduce yourself?
Wencke: “Hi, I’m Wencke and I’m working together with Mat White on data from the BlueHealth project, which investigates links between blue spaces, health, and well-being. It’s a pleasure to combine the things I learned during my undergrad in Cognitive Science (at the University of Tübingen) with environmental topics.”
Marthe: “Hi, my name is Marthe Luise Herbst! I'm a health sciences bachelor student from Germany (at Charité Berlin) and currently an intern for the Horizon Europe project “RESONATE” under the supervision of Julia Egger. As a newbie in the field of environmental research, I am very thankful to gain insights into this project.”
What was your motivation to come here?
Wencke: “I have been fascinated by the outdoors my entire life. I was spending time in green and blue spaces through hiking, sailing, or surfing, as a lifeguard or camp counselor. For a long time, I’ve seen these activities as something that was separated from my academic life, more being part of my free time. It was first during my studies abroad at the University of Michigan that I got in touch with topics like nature connectedness and mental wellbeing. I remember that, back then, I couldn’t resist exploring these topics further. Soon, it became clear to me that Vienna would be the best place to look at these issues from a scientific perspective. It’s an honor that I eventually ended up at the Vienna Cognitive Science Hub.”
Marthe: “Even as a small child, I was very interested in nature, as my father as a forester regularly took me into the forest with him. Through my studies in Berlin, I have learnt to appreciate the proximity to nature in my hometown in Brandenburg (Germany) more and more. In my "Health Sciences" degree programme, I am learning to look at health from a holistic perspective. I am particularly fond of the field of environmental psychology, as it combines my interests in the areas of "health" and "environment". The “RESONATE” project enables me to further my education in this area and to understand the positive effects of nature on a person's resilience, health and well-being. I am grateful to have come across this opportunity!”
What are your main tasks at the Vienna CogSciHub?
Wencke: "For the past few weeks, I've been doing a lot of data analysis with R. I'm finally being exposed to advanced statistics beyond “t-test land”, and it feels like my skills are improving every day. We're currently building large structural equation models that control for many covariates. I'm very grateful for the support I'm getting from everyone here in this process.”
Marthe: “A big part of my tasks is helping to set-up questionnaires for clinical studies. I'm getting a broad view of the science world, from data analysis to communication with high-level international EU project researchers. I'm given the chance to delve deeper into my interests and build lifelong connections that will not only advance my career but also enrich my personal growth.”
What do you enjoy most about being here?
Wencke: “Personally, it feels amazing to actually start using the knowledge you’ve gained during college in “real life”. I find it very fulfilling to work with the BlueHealth data (especially as someone who is fascinated by water sports) and to meet so many fascinating people at the Vienna CogSciHub and beyond. I've been able to interact with leading researchers working on many different projects, whether it be in Brownbag Sessions, presentations or discussions. This network will definitely help me in the future. The experiences I’m having here might inspire me to stay in research, who knows?”
Marthe: “At the beginning of my internship, I was a little worried that working in the office would quickly become too monotonous for me. But the opposite is the case. Being part of the Vienna Cognitive Science Hub allows me to communicate with people from different sectors across disciplines. It's truly amazing how the Vienna Cognitive Science Hub fosters this exchange, offering inspiration and the chance to explore fresh perspectives.”
Any last remarks?
Wencke & Marthe: “The past two months have been a great opportunity of getting insights into Environmental Psychology research for both of us, building a valuable network and enjoying the great atmosphere in the office. We highly recommend the Vienna Cognitive Science Hub to every student who is looking for an internship.”
Wencke Groeneveld is about to graduate with a B.Sc. in Cognitive Science at the University of Tübingen. This program integrates various disciplines within cognitive science, including psychology, linguistics, and computer science, with a strong emphasis on machine learning and artificial intelligence.
Marthe Luise Herbst is a 3rd semester student in Health Sciences (B.Sc.) at Charité Berlin. The program approaches health comprehensively, analyzing it from both biological and social science angles, allowing for a critical examination of health, well-being, illness, and related research.
Both internships are funded by the EU's ERASMUS+ programme
