Forschungspraktikum an der HAWK

HAWK: Why do you work at HAWK?

Tom Charlot: I chose the HAWK environment because I wanted to find a suitable research-based internship in order to discover the economic aspect of the scientific research branch. I was not especially familiar with the economic branch that I applied for, but I was strongly motivated returning in Germany for the 5th time. In addition, due to my bachelor in applied economics, I was looking for an empirical work and HAWK had been recommended to me by an previous intern and student of my University (Paris-Saclay)

HAWK: What is the topic of your research project?

Tom Charlot: I have worked on transportation and urban economics, evaluating and optimizing Demand Responsive Transport (DRT) services or „On-demand“ Mobility, with several statistical models called Data Envelopment Analysis or indexes like PoolingIndex (PI) and Generalized Journey Time Ratio (GJTR)

HAWK: How did you implement it?

Tom Charlot: I wrote a working paper using a Latex script. I fitted my models using the statistical program RStudio. There was a major part also dedicated to finding previous literature in the same research field, which I did using Google Scholar and Zotero (software) in order to compile and to read scientific articles on the subject.

HAWK: What are/were the results?

Tom Charlot: The DEA model requires big data from operational companies, which were difficult to obtain. However, I found that several other models could be fitted with DRT services optimization, considering simulations with arbitrary values and personal assumptions (instead of real empirical data).

HAWK: What does everyday life and work look like as a research intern at HAWK?

Tom Charlot: When you arrive on the morning, you take time to settle in the office, discuss with the research team and sometimes sitting down for a coffee. Each person works differently and generally, the research environment allows you to be very autonomous. You start to enhance your knowledge of your specific working topic by reading many papers for example. As a research assistant, your task can be more or less dense, so you can adapt your day in regards to your work progress. The advantage is that you can take a break when you need it without hindrances, depending on your productivity. If you are sufficiently organized, you can end your day doing other activities and take time for yourself once you finished your tasks. Sometimes you have to join an appointment with the team or another research group. It is a great opportunity to communicate with teammates and colleagues in order to get another point of view on your current work. On the other hand, as a researcher, you can also be invited to present and expose your questions or results in front of a scientific community in a conference, apply for funding and enter in contact with potential partners interested in your research field and submit publications, so that your work is recognized and approved by your peers.

HAWK: What do/did you like most during your time in Germany and at HAWK and why?

Tom Charlot: I’m still glad to have been able to participate at a HAWK’s research team development, helping with my degree of engagement and feel useful for researchers. I have really appreciated the « German mindset », making me a fully-fledged member of the team for the duration of the internship. Of course, I also have had free-time to improve my German culture and language, discovering Lower-Saxony in more detail and share my own culture with my colleagues.

HAWK: What are your future plans after the internship and does the time at HAWK help you with that (if so, how)?

Tom Charlot: Now, I’m starting my master’s degree with an exclusive knowledge of research methodology and an improved ability to use statistical and mathematical models to respond to economic problems. I think that HAWK has enabled me to acquire more advanced IT and technical skills, given its status as an applied University. My plans for the future are to evaluate French public policies through institutions, so my internship could be very useful if I decide to focus on urban and transportation management.

HAWK: Is there anything you would like to tell future visiting scientists?

Tom Charlot: To my mind, HAWK and its overall environment are very cohesive. Teams are openminded and ready to listen. I also think that this represents an opportunity for future student trainees to create a sustainable partnership with their own university and to exchange scientific knowledge that is beneficial to both parties. Moreover, HAWK is located in the heart of Germany, which makes it a great access point to other regions. As well as having a charming working place, I find that it's an opportunity to take your first step in the working world thanks to the internship status, while at the same time, devoting yourself to and learning about scientific research.