Ombudspersons in cases of conflict

If conflicts arise that cannot be resolved bilaterally, the doctoral candidates and their supervisors may contact the following ombudspersons for doctoral students, according to Sec. 38(4) State Higher Education Act.

  • Prof. Dr. jur. Ulrich Palm, Institute of Law and Legal Sciences (550)
  • Prof. Dr. Michael Schramm, Institute of Education, Labor and Society (560)

Ombudspersons to ensure good scientific practices and for dealing with cases of scientific misconduct

Ombudspersons hear internal complaints about scientific misconduct. This can be expressed in the following categories:

I. False Information

  • Data manipulation, data suppression, and making up data

II. Violation of Intellectual Property Rights

  • The exploitation of research approaches and ideas of others (theft of ideas)
  • The claim or unfounded presumption of scientific authorship or co-authorship
  • Suppression of research associates’ contributions in publications, etc.

III. Intentional or Grossly Negligent Damage to Other’s Research Activity

  • Original data or files that another gathered during research are deleted or manipulated without that person’s knowledge
  • Erroneously accusing another person of scientific misconduct

IV. Shared Responsibility for Others’ Scientific Misconduct

  • Intentional participation in another’s misconduct
  • Co-authorship of publications with falsifications
  • Gross negligence in supervision duties

In addition, they review complaints of scientific misconduct by colleagues and supervisors and determine whether they are justified. If a reasoned suspicion of scientific misconduct is found, they request from the University Management a commission to investigate scientific misconduct.

Please contact the ombudsperson to report scientific misconduct:

  • Prof. Dr. Michael Schramm, Institute of Marketing & Management (570)