Destination: Doctorate
Destination: Doctorate is a project by Doctoral education services to support the progress of doctoral students and to help advance their doctoral thesis and studies. The sessions are a good place to meet other doctoral students! The project consists of facilitated peer support groups offered to pre-registered students, and writing groups (Pomodoro technique) which are open to all doctoral students at Aalto University. Find out more about the different groups and how to register below:
1. Facilitated Peer Support Groups for Doctoral Students
Are you facing challenges on your doctoral journey? Would you like to connect with fellow doctoral students, with whom to share your experiences, reflect, and find a way forward? Our Facilitated Peer Support Groups are here to provide a supportive environment and a safe space to do exactly that.
In the groups we can discuss any themes that participants find topical and important to them, for example time management, the joys and pains of the process, feelings that doing a thesis evokes, doctoral researchers’ identity, etc.
There are two separate groups: one in Finnish, one in English. Both groups meet on Wednesdays every other week.
The Finnish group meets at 16.15-17.45 on Zoom on the following Wednesdays: 18.2., 4.3., 18.3., 1.4., 22.4. and 6.5. This group is especially targeted for part-time doctoral students, who work elsewhere during the day, but everyone is warmly welcome to register, regardless of the study status!
The English group meets at 14.15-15.45 on campus on the following Wednesdays: 25.2., 11.3., 25.3., 15.4., 29.4. and 13.5.
If you have any questions about the Peer support Groups or you want to know more, you can contact: paivi.vaatanen@aalto.fi
Register here: https://link.webropolsurveys.com/S/90175B80E1062FBB (Registration is open until February 10th, 2026 for the English group and February 11th 2026 for the Finnish group)
Please note that participants are kindly asked to commit to all of the group’s meetings, as the groups rely heavily on peer support and an atmosphere of mutual trust.
2. Join Our Doctoral Pomodoro Writing Groups This Spring!
Are you finding it difficult to carve out time for writing? Do you need a supportive community as you progress through your doctoral thesis? Join our writing groups, designed for doctoral students seeking motivation and structure. Whether you're balancing your studies with other commitments or simply want dedicated writing time in your busy schedule, our groups are here to help.
About the Writing Groups:
• Remote Group via Zoom: Tuesdays, 4-6 pm (17.2.–26.5.)
• In-Person Group: Wednesdays, 2-4 pm (18.2.–27.5.)
What to Expect:
Our sessions embrace the Pomodoro technique: writing for 25 minutes, followed by a 5-minute break. Utilize these breaks to chat, network, and share insights with fellow doctoral students across various fields. Occasionally, we will kick off sessions with a brief introduction to a relevant topic to inspire your doctoral journey.
Benefits:
• Communality: connect with doctoral students and share experiences.
• Productive space: focus on your work in a communal setting.
• Networking opportunities: meet students from different disciplines.
Who Should Join?
• Doctoral students facing thesis/studies progression challenges.
• Those returning to studies after a time away.
• Anyone seeking communality and a structured writing environment.
If you have any questions about the writing groups or you want to know more, you can contact: suvipilvi.kotipelto@aalto.fi and/or aini.simola@aalto.fi
Register here: https://link.webropolsurveys.com/S/594CD9ECC253F351 (We will send registered participants reminder messages about the events, but you are welcome to attend even if you haven't registered.)
Our groups focus on carving out time for writing and fostering a sense of community. If you need help with developing your academic writing skills, please check out Aalto's course offer, writing workshops and Language Centre's writing clinic, see more information.
Other Pomodoro groups for thesis writing: If these times don't suit you, you can check out Theses & Tomatoes co-writing sessions, which work with the same technique, but are offered to all degree levels.
Also note in Finnish: Tutkimusraportoinnin tekstiretriitit tohtoriopiskelijoille Teamsissa kevätkaudella 2026
Location & Zoom-link
Login to see all information.
More help
You can find all our webpages with an abundance of information at Doctoral education hub and at Doctoral page index.
See also:
Useful links from other services
Contact us
Destination: Doctorate is coordinated by Planning officer Päivi Väätänen, Planning officer Tiina Kotti, Planning officer Suvipilvi Kotipelto and Coordinator Aini Simola.
You can contact us by email: udes@aalto.fi.
If you need help with practical administrative issues such as approval of Doctoral personal study plan (DPSP), using Sisu, changes related to thesis / supervision, pre-examination etc. please contact the Doctoral education services of your Doctoral programme.