A Student at the Heart of International Solar Research

Raising the Visibility of Women in Solar Research

As a student volunteer at the SolarPACES conference in Bad Neuenahr, H-BRS student Karolina Wirtz-Dürlich was able to experience international research firsthand, network with others, and advocate for greater visibility for women in solar research.

What’s it actually like to participate in an international scientific conference as a student? For a student at Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences, that’s exactly what she got to experience at this year’s SolarPACES conference in Bad Neuenahr. As a student volunteer, she was part of the organizing team and gained exciting insights into the world’s largest conference in the field of concentrating solar power research.

Right in the Thick of the Conference Action

As a volunteer, she took on various organizational tasks. These included assisting with registration and handing out name tags. During the sessions, she made sure presentations started on time. During the subsequent Q&A sessions, she passed the microphone to the researchers.

Together with eight doctoral students from the German Aerospace Center (DLR), she formed a nine-member volunteer team. The days were long: their shifts began early in the morning and sometimes lasted late into the night. For the student, however, the effort was well worth it.

That’s because volunteering not only gave her a behind-the-scenes look at an international conference, but also allowed her to participate in SolarPACES and engage directly with researchers from around the world.

Networking with Researchers and Early-Career Scholars

The gala dinner and the Young Researchers’ Dinner, which the volunteers were invited to attend, offered special opportunities for exchange. There, the student had the chance to talk with numerous researchers and, in particular, with many early-career scholars.

Such encounters can be particularly valuable for students: They provide insights into different academic and professional paths, help build connections, and highlight potential opportunities for their own careers in research and technology.

Wirtz-Dürlich Solar Paces Erfahrungsbericht 2026

Raising the Visibility of Women in Solar Research

The student was particularly impressed by the events organized by Women+ in Concentrated Solar Thermal Energy (CST). During one Women+ event, a female researcher was honored for her outstanding achievements in this field of research.

The student herself also had the opportunity to speak to the female scientists in attendance. She emphasized how important such events are, especially for young women who are still in school and seeking their own path in a technical and scientific environment.

In her personal observation, women were clearly in the minority at the conference. Events like the Women+ event therefore create additional space for exchange and networking, raise the visibility of female scientists, and open up new perspectives.

An Encouraging Experience

Participating in the SolarPACES conference showed the student how valuable it can be to seize opportunities and get involved in scientific networks early on. Volunteering offered her a low-barrier entry into an international scientific conference while also facilitating valuable personal connections.

Her conclusion: Volunteering was a lot of fun and, at the same time, opened the door to an extraordinary scientific experience.

For female students interested in research, technology, and renewable energy, an internship like this can be an exciting opportunity to network, gain insights, and find their place in the scientific community.