As my internship at BRT concludes, I'm grateful for an immersive work environment and the invaluable experience I've gained over the duration of my internship. I'd like to take this opportunity to detail my involvement in a range of work across design, communication and content writing, the value they bring to young professionals, and finally the gratitude of receiving the opportunity to join the robust learning environment that BRT Director Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hynek Roubik and the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague (CZU) provide.

 

First, I joined the communications team. I assisted with work for the MWAZACO and OSIRIS projects, including summarising research output into digestible content, digital media, and editing. I also contributed to tailoring news for social media channels. The importance of a coherent colour and content strategy is highly potent in building transnational trust and relationships for research departments. I'm highly grateful to the communications team and BRT communications manager Dr. Stacy Hammond who all provided exposure to industry-relevant design software as well as creative brainstorming and strategy alignment on meetings.

 

Second, I contributed to the project management (PM) team through a User Experience-based (UX) design review of the BRT website with BRT Project Manager Dr. Jan Stas. Deliberation between the Comms and PM teams added a valuable real-world balancing between perceptual guides, coherent design and technical tools keeping in mind stakeholders, web stats, and department vision. A presentation of practical recommendations was able to distil a discussion of potentials and limitations that can inform periodic considerations for the future of BRT's mission.

 

Next, I witnessed the diverse expertise, togetherness, and initiative in the BRT's work environment. I'm impressed by BRT Director Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hynek Roubik's approach to meetings reviewing various research projects with reporting and constructive dialogue. In addition, I've enjoyed engaging with postdoctoral researcher Dr. Adam Hruška and PhD student Antoine Bercy, researchers of open science, automation and futuristic solutions, among others who have given their valuable advice on various facets of academia. Finally, I'd like to thank Masha, Aissa, Paula and Stacy for their practicality, flexibility and constructive approach to tasks.

 

Overall, exposure to the work of Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences (FTZ) at BRT is far from my personal field, yet it added essential operational perspective for an aspiring academic such as myself. My main three takeaways from the internship are as follows a) coherent and clear design speaks volumes to stakeholders; b) Openness in science benefits from open organizational environment; c) It's imperative to understand and support analysis-backed & community-positive sustainability however one can. That's what I hope to do anf I'd love to contribute however I can in their future endeavors. Good luck to the team and keep up the good work!