On May 21, 2026, the Sport Psychology research group organized and hosted the “Team Dynamics Day” for the second time. As the name suggests, this research day focused entirely on the topic of team and group psychology. In addition to the staff members of Research Group 5, invited guests also attended and provided insights into their research.

Originally from Germany and currently teaching at St. Xavier University in Nova Scotia, Canada, Prof. Dr. Sebastian Harenberg visited our research group as a Gambrinus Fellow of TU Dortmund. As part of the Team Dynamics Day, he gave a public guest lecture entitled “Good for Sport, Good for Life? A Group Dynamics Perspective on Selection Procedures in Sport.”

Furthermore, Prof. Dr. Joachim Hüffmeier, an industrial and organizational psychologist at TU Dortmund, presented fascinating findings addressing the research question of why swimmers perform faster in relay races than in individual events.

Dr. Svenja Wolf also introduced exciting research ideas in the field of team and group psychology, with a particular focus on collective emotions.

Interested staff members from other research groups also took part in our research day.

Overall, it was an exciting day with great opportunities for exchange, interesting presentations, and lots of fun. We would like to thank everyone involved!

On the 6th and 7th of November, the sports psychology team invited doctoral students, postdocs and professors from Münster, Cologne, Kassel and Frankfurt to Dortmund for the first time for this year's MKKFD. The MKKFD offers doctoral students in the fields of sports science and sports psychology the opportunity to present their dissertation projects and discuss research questions, ideas or methods with participants from the five locations. 

In addition to 12 presentations by doctoral students, postdocs also had the opportunity to engage in joint discussions this year. Another highlight was the panel discussion, in which professors and postdocs shared and discussed their opinions, tips and experiences of working in the academic system. In addition, the exchange not only offered scientific added value, but also provided a great opportunity for further networking between the locations of Münster, Cologne, Kassel, Frankfurt and Dortmund, whether during the breaks between lectures, during sports or during the joint evening programme. 

We had a lot of fun and are already looking forward to the next MKKFD in 2026!