The WERA Exchange Seminars are PhD-only events that facilitate an intensive academic exchange among doctoral candidates without the involvement of supervisors or other researchers. These events are organized independently by the doctoral candidates of the Research Training Group. This transfer of responsibility fosters an independent academic discourse. The WERA Exchange Seminars are based on short presentations on the current status of each research project and the planning of collaborative research activities. Supervisors are informed of the results of the WERA Exchange Seminars following the event.

Additional topics covered in the WERA Exchange Seminars include the exchange of experiences regarding supervision, the WERA Report, or training initiatives. At the board meeting, the PhD representatives provide feedback to the WERA leadership on the quality of supervision and convey the doctoral candidates’ interests or suggestions for improving training within WERA.