BIGSSS Graduation Day 2025 › view all

On September 19, 2025, BIGSSS celebrated its eighth Graduation Day! Over the past three years, 39 BIGSSS PhD Fellows have finished their dissertations. 20 graduates joined us on stage at this year's ceremony in Bremen's Kunsthalle, and two joined us online, to be honoured for their outstanding academic achievements.

The ceremony was opened with welcome addresses by the Dean of BIGSSS, Prof. Dr. Patrick Sachweh, BIGSSS Vice-Dean and Interim Dean of the School of Business, Social and Decision Sciences, Prof. Dr. Adalbert Wilhelm, as well as the University of Bremen’s Vice President for Research and Transfer, Prof. Dr. Michal Kucera. 

A musical highlight was provided by the R-Cappella Choir, directed by Rucsandra Popescu, with spirited support from our Director of Studies, Regina Arant.

One of the most memorable moments was the Fellow Address held by Gamze Ipek and Tanya Keni, where they looked back on their PhD journey with gratitude. They expressed appreciation for the many forms of support they received along the way and spoke about the challenges they faced, and the importance of mutual encouragement. At the same time, they highlighted the friendships that were built, the sense of community that grew, and the joy of cherishing the journey beyond the degree itself. As they put it: the day was not only about receiving a new academic title, but about celebrating “a journey of challenges, achievements, sleepless nights, and many laughs.”

Graduation Day is always a special occasion for BIGSSS. It is a chance to pause and celebrate the dedication, hard work, and perseverance of our graduates – and to reflect on the collective achievements of our Graduate School.

Congratulations to all graduates for their commitment and success, and for keeping the social sciences alive at a time when they are needed more than ever. A heartfelt thank you also goes to both Universities, all PIs and faculty members, staff members, and colleagues whose support has guided each graduate on their path to becoming an independent researchers.

Finally, thank you to everyone who joined us to celebrate this milestone together!

For more infos on this year’s graduates, please have a look at out BIGSSS Yearbook 2025!