Deeper insights into academic work and research

Lissi Löhmar and Sonja Reschke, students of Childhood Education in their 5th semester, worked for a year and a half on a research project in the Department of Educational Sciences. In this interview, they provide insight into their work as student research assistants.

Which research project did you work on as student research assistants?

Sonja Reschke: We worked on the research project ‘Media Education at Reform-Pedagogical Educational Institutions’ under the direction of Prof. Dr. Paula Bleckmann. The research focuses on media (addiction) prevention, digital education policy, and the promotion of media literacy.

Lissi Löhmar: Specifically, then, it is about the question of how we can support children in growing into media-literate individuals. On the one hand, by protecting them from digital risks and dangers, and on the other hand, by encouraging them to make use of digital opportunities.

What were your respective tasks in the project? 

Lissi Löhmar: In principle, we can say that our areas of work overlapped and that we supported each other a great deal.

Sonja Reschke: Yes. For example, Lissi Löhmar was more responsible for organizing and preparing Ms. Bleckmann’s seminars and lectures, while I was more involved in public relations work. At the same time, both of us repeatedly transcribed interviews.  

Lissi Löhmar: And for the data collection of the quantitative study, the entire team pulled together.

Did your work as a student research assistant also have an impact on your studies?

Lissi Löhmar: Absolutely! Through my work at the institute, I gained much deeper insight into research and academia, which meant I could start our research internship feeling much more confident. I was already very familiar with conducting and transcribing interviews, literature research, and to some extent also with analyzing collected data.

What experiences or insights will you take away personally from working on the project?

Sonja Reschke: I was able to deepen the content of our seminar on media literacy and gain a completely different perspective on media education. For example, in one of my internships, I was able to apply the knowledge I had acquired in concrete educational work with children.

Would you recommend working as a student research assistant to other students at Alanus University?

Lissi Löhmar: That is certainly a matter of interest. Many of our fellow students want to work directly with children. Of course, that is not something you can do as a student research assistant. On the other hand, the job combines really well with your studies. You are largely free to organize your tasks and working hours and can contribute your own ideas.

Sonja Reschke: By creating and compiling the materials, you also help shape the seminars to some extent. And as Lissi said earlier, through this work you gain deeper insight into academic work and research. I find that very exciting in combination with the content taught in the degree program.