Hi, I’m Helen and I just finished my Master’s in Prehistoric Archaeology! From April 2024 to June 2026, I worked as a student research assistant in the HESCOR project.
I was hired to support project coordinator Dr. Isabell Schmidt and worked closely with both her and Dr. Elena Robakiewicz. One of the things I appreciated most right from the start was being asked whether I wanted to work in areas I was already familiar with, or whether I wanted to branch out into something new. I chose the latter – and I’m glad I did!
Being part of a large interdisciplinary research project felt like a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in science communication and outreach, two areas I care deeply about. As a researcher, I feel a responsibility to make science accessible – especially when it’s publicly funded. HESCOR turned out to be the perfect setting to learn more about that!
My job in the research project spanned a range of tasks: For example, I contributed to the design of the project website, developed the concept for the introductory video, and was responsible for new posts on the website. I also developed the social media strategy and curated the project’s Bluesky account. Some of my favourite moments, though, came from assisting in social events such as the KinderUni as well as various workshops and vision forums, where I was involved in different tasks ranging from designing flyers to helping with catering.
