The DUW-Symposium is the first inclusive and self-organized activity of the PhD students. The symposium is a yearly internal scientific event with primarily PhD students and postdoctoral scientists as speakers and poster presenters. Keynote lectures can be given by distinguished external researchers. The main aims of this scientific event are science communication within the DUW and fostering social interaction and cohesion within the department. 

PhD students have to contribute to the DUW-symposium at least once during their PhD period with a poster or an oral presentation (credit points in the compulsory module), and every year, up to 3 PhD students can earn credits for jointly organising the event. The DUW-Symposium is organised by PhD students with support from the PhD coordinator for all scientists of the DUW. This involves: defining the session topics and program, inviting the speakers (PhDs, postdoctoral scientists and researchers), designing and coordinating the poster sessions, chairing the sessions and organising the networking social Apéro that concludes the symposium.