Thinking in Tomatoes: First IMPRS Pomodoro Session

Today, our IMPRS tried out a new approach to focused scientific work with the first IMPRS Pomodoro Session. A dedicated group of our PhD students took part in this increasingly popular time-management method, which alternates Pomodori — 25-minute periods of highly focused work — with frequent short breaks.

Participants worked on their individual research projects using all common working tools — with one clear rule: no work at the chalkboard. The Pomodoro technique aims to foster deep focus without multitasking or distractions, helping researchers maintain concentration while preventing mental fatigue.

Laura Lankers, organizer of the first session of this kind, is happy about the successful project: “The idea came up during a PhD afternoon: Working together, focused and with a time strategy, and encourage each other during breaks. That's what Pomodoro is great for.”

The session offered a structured yet relaxed atmosphere and showed how even simple methods can make a noticeable difference in everyday scientific work. Given the positive response, this tomato-powered experiment may well return.