F*ck Up Night – When Failure Makes You a Better Scientist

As part of Postdoc Appreciation Week, our event "F*ck Up Night – When Failure Makes You a Better Scientist" on September 18 was once again a great success, marking the third time we’ve held this event. With insightful and entertaining talks, four brilliant speakers shared their personal experiences of failure and the lessons they’ve learned.

Monika Scholz, group leader at our institute, opened the evening with powerful reflections on how her own experiences shaped her leadership today. She recalled a near-miss during her PhD – a data-sorting error that could have derailed a publication – and how her supervisor’s calm, constructive reaction left a lasting impression. Years later, when one of her own team members damaged an expensive piece of equipment, she remembered that lesson and chose to respond with the same composure and support.

Björn Krüger spoke about setbacks with conference and publication submissions, showing how persistence and learning from harsh reviews can turn initial rejection into an even stronger story. Róisín McManus courageously presented her “CV of Failure,” contrasting the polished public record with the invisible rejections behind it, and offering an honest look at the realities of an academic career. Martin Fuhrmann gave a lively, slide-free talk about a major “F*ck Up” from his PhD days working with mouse strains in prion research, showing how even difficult mistakes can open up new perspectives and opportunities.

The International Club of the University of Bonn provided the ideal venue: Centrally located, modern, and the perfect size for our group of around 40 participants. The lively discussions, thought-provoking questions, and relaxed atmosphere created a trusting environment where everyone felt comfortable sharing their own experiences with failure.

This event, as part of Postdoc Appreciation Week, celebrated the perseverance and dedication of postdocs and researchers at all career stages, reflecting the core message of the week: perseverance is key to scientific success. It offered a valuable opportunity to connect, share experiences, and support one another.

A big thank you to our supporters: NeurotechEU for the delicious pizza, and Pint of Science Germany for providing drinks and helping to make the evening special. The event was filled with valuable insights, laughter, and community spirit. Thank you to everyone who joined us!