Together to the end of the world

When science joins forces with adventure, the result is experiences that move not only the individual but
the whole team forward. Neuron Award laureate Martina Benešová Schäfer decided to invest her financial
award not in an individual project but in a shared journey for her research team, with a
clear aim: to strengthen cooperation, creativity and trust among colleagues.

A journey across a continent

The Australian expedition lasted almost a month and was far more than a work trip. The team
of scientists travelled across a vast area — from Perth and Ningaloo Reef through the Gold Coast, Brisbane and
the famous Great Barrier Reef to the red centre of the continent at Ayers Rock. Finally they visited
Melbourne, Adelaide and of course Sydney.

The boldest among them managed 12 flights during the trip, a drive along the famous Great Ocean Road, a
helicopter flight, a yacht cruise and the adrenaline-fuelled climb up the arch of Sydney Harbour Bridge.
There was also unforgettable swimming with whale sharks. Alongside that the team visited
several scientific institutions and took part in a professional conference. "It was an intense combination
of science, discovery and adventure," Martina sums up.

An award for the whole team

The decision to invest the money from the Neuron Award in precisely this way had a clear logic.
"I am convinced that any award is not about one name alone — behind every success
there is a team. This attitude is deeply rooted in me and I wanted the others to feel that they are
part of the award too."

What is more, previous experience had already shown how strong an impact a shared journey can have — the
retreat in Hawaii in 2023, for instance, brought the team new ideas and a wave of motivation.

During the Australian trip the team grew closer — thanks in part to the demanding moments. "Tired, outside
our comfort zone, but together. These situations helped cement our relationships," Martina says. The strengthened
trust and the improved ability to handle stress are now carrying over into everyday working life too.

Another bonus of the journey was new stimuli for research. Thanks to the relaxed atmosphere, members of the
team could share ideas openly and return to older projects that had previously
been left "in the drawer". The result is a new research plan that the team is now developing together.

A recommendation to others: don't be afraid to invest in relationships

"I would recommend a similar approach to other research teams," the laureate says in conclusion.
"Shared experiences build trust, improve communication and increase efficiency. And it is precisely from these
foundations that creativity and innovation can grow."

The Australian expedition is thus not only a story about distant places and adventure, but above all about the strength of
teamwork, which has a key impact on science itself.