On January 23, 2025, a media training for TraCe researchers took place at the PRIF in Frankfurt. Ten researchers from the TraCe Early Career Researcher (ECR) network took part in the workshop by Katja Flieger and Monika Wimmer. The idea for a media training program came about through the regular ECRs' exchange with the center's coordinator Annika Elena Poppe.
The workshop began with a brief introduction of coaches and participants, who also shared their previous experience with media outlets. Katja Flieger and Monika Wimmer then explained the news factors on which journalistic publications are based. In order to gain a better understanding of the journalistic work, the researchers switched sides in an initial role-play exercise and worked in small groups from the perspective of media professionals. After a simulated editorial conference and a subsequent discussion in plenary, a second input on the topic of comprehensibility followed. The TraCe researchers then formulated their own key messages and revised them together.
In the third block after the lunch break, the workshop leaders presented a final input on the media landscape in Germany before an interview exercise took place. Each person took part in a five-minute television interview, which was recorded on camera and then discussed in small groups. Finally, all participants came together in a plenary session and concluded the media training with their feedback.