Regulations of the University of Freiburg on Safeguarding Academic Integrity
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Pelase note: This English translation is for convenience only. In case of any legal dispute, the German version is authoritative.
The German Research Foundation (DFG) drew up guidelines for safeguarding good research practice within the scope of its responsibility in 2019. They represent the consensus among the DFG member organizations on the fundamental principles and standards of good research practice and are upheld by these organizations. The code is intended for researchers as well as for universities and non-university research institutions. It summarizes the core standards of good research practice and describes the recommended procedure in cases of non-observance. All universities and non-university research institutions are legally bound to implement the guidelines.
Issues discussed in these DFG guidelines for which the University of Freiburg has its own guidelines, bodies of regulations, and catalogues of measures beyond the “Regulations of the University of Freiburg on Safeguarding Academic Integrity” are referred to in the currently applicable version.
These include the following [All link content in German]:
General regulations
Diversity and equity concepts of the University of Freiburg:
- Strategies and concepts of the University of Freiburg for the results-oriented implementation of equity and diversity (central documents) (No. 16)
- A Guide for Practice: Against Sexual Harassment, Violence, and Stalking (No. 17)
Regulations for researchers
- Statutes of the ‘Commission on Responsibility in Research’ and ‘Guidelines of the University of Freiburg on the responsible handling of research freedom and research risks’ (No. 4).
The Commission on Responsibility in Research´s work is based on the University of Freiburg’s Guidelines on the responsible handling of the freedom and risks of research as well as the applicable laws, scientific standards, and relevant professional regulations. The commission assists to researching members and affiliates of the University of Freiburg in evaluating ethical and legal aspects of security-related research by advising them (advisory procedures). It may issue opinions in cases of doubt concerning the compatibility of research projects with the guidelines (clarification procedures), and it mediates in the event of disagreements between researchers on research ethics issues (mediation procedures). - The European Charter & Code for Researchers (No. 2)
Regulations for doctoral candidates, habilitation candidates and supervisors
- No. 7:
- Guidelines for Good Supervision of Doctoral Candidates at the University of Freiburg (No. 9)
The aim of these guidelines is to establish long-term standards for a culture of supervision that considers doctoral candidates and supervisors equally and on an equal footing. The Guidelines aim at doctoral candidates and supervisors. - Doctoral agreements between doctoral candidates and supervisors (No. 8).
Comprehensive information on regulations in connection with doctoral studies and supervision. - Ombudsperson process for doctoral candidates and supervisors (No. 5)
The University of Freiburg has a central ombudsperson process to support doctoral candidates and their supervisors in resolving conflicts arising from the supervision relationship or work on the dissertation. The process is strictly confidential and consists of two levels, making it as easy as possible for supervisors and doctoral candidates to overcome their inhibitions and speak openly about problems early on. - Interdisciplinary qualification and counselling services for doctoral candidates and postdoctoral researchers (No. 12)
The programs support doctoral candidates and academics with doctorates in preparing for later tasks in science, business and society.
Regulations for professorships
- Appointment guidelines (No. 10)
The University attaches great importance to treating applicants with respect, providing appropriate information about the status of the procedure and providing comprehensive support for invited applicants and newly appointed professors. These guidelines structure the appointment procedures for W3, W2 and W1 professorships (junior professorships and tenure-track professorships). It serves the purpose of quality assurance and represents a voluntary commitment on the part of the University of Freiburg. - Statutes and quality assurance concept for junior professorships and tenure-track professorships (No. 11)
With the tenure-track statutes, the University of Freiburg is committed to the organisation of a reliable tenure track and to guaranteeing fair academic career paths, which is served, among other things, by the quality-assured evaluation procedures regulated by these statutes.
Personnel development, personnel management
- Personnel development concept for the academic field [intranet access required] (No. 13)
Career and personnel development at the University of Freiburg is based on a life and work phase model. We support our academics in their academic qualification transitions as well as in the work and further development phases. At the same time, we take account of changing life events and how these shape everyday working life. - Principles and procedures for personnel selection and development (No. 14)
The aim of personnel development at the University of Freiburg is to promote the skills of employees with a wide range of measures and to provide them with adequate support in change processes, to offer them individual measures tailored to their needs and professional/alternative development options and to provide a wide range of services when professional or private requirements change in the workplace. In addition, personnel development creates transparency with regard to employees’ future development opportunities within the University of Freiburg.
Personnel development concept of the University of Freiburg for employees in the areas of administration, service and technology [Intranet access required] - Guidelines of the University of Freiburg on the duration of employment contracts in the academic field (No. 15)
The guidelines are intended to make employment relationships at the University of Freiburg more attractive and reliable for academic staff and to contribute to their satisfaction and performance as well as that of the university as a whole. - Leadership Guidelines of the University of Freiburg [intranet access required] (No. 3)
Administrative managers (heads of departments, heads of staff units…) play a key role in the implementation of central principles and values of cooperation and task completion in the administration (cooperative behaviour, open dialogue, appreciation, openness and respect, regular, constructive feedback as well as competence-oriented task assignment and promotion), which is supported by the guideline.
Compliance
- Compliance rules of the university (No. 18)
Academics, but also all other members of the university, are advised with regard to legality, regularity, economic efficiency and expediency in order to create an understanding of compliance with existing regulatory systems and to ensure that they are adhered to.
Representative for Academic Self-Regulation The representative for academic self-regulation advises persons who inform him of an alleged case of academic misconduct as well as those who have been accused of academic misconduct. He also investigates cases of alleged academic misconduct on his own initiative. The representative investigates the concreteness and significance of the allegations in accordance with plausibility criteria and informs the responsible governing bodies if he deems further action to be necessary. He is bound to strict confidentiality. Representative for Academic Self-Regulation: Prof. Dr. Uwe Blaurock
Contact: uwe.blaurock@jura.uni-freiburg.de, Phone: 0761-203 2270
Deputy: Prof. Dr. Ursula Nothelle-Wildfeuer
Contact: ursula.nothelle-wildfeuer@theol.uni-freiburg.de, Phone: 0761- 203 2115
Deputy: Professor Dr. Stephan Ehl
Contact: stephan.ehl@uniklinik-freiburg.de, Phone: 0761-203 9618
Investigative Commission on Academic Integrity
The Investigative Commission on Academic Integrity is responsible for advising the rector in cases concerning academic integrity and investigating allegations of academic misconduct. The members are bound to confidentiality.
Members with qualifications for judicial office | |
Lernhart, Klaus | Chief Judge at VGH Baden-Württemberg |
Wahle, Dorothee | President of the District Court Freiburg, Deputy |
Tenured Members: | |
Theology, Humanities, and Philology | |
Striet, Prof. Dr. Magnus | Member |
Riescher, Prof. Dr. Gisela | Deputy |
Law | |
Pawlik, Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. mult. Michael | Member |
Schäfer, Prof. Dr. Frank L. | Deputy |
Behavioral Sciences and Economics | |
Kiesel, Prof. Dr. Andrea | Member |
Voss, Prof. Dr. Thamar | Deputy |
Natural and Environmental Sciences | |
Korb, Prof. Dr. Judith | Member |
Buchleitner, Prof. Dr. Andreas | Deputy |
Medicine | |
Pollak, Prof. Dr. Stefan | Member |
Peters, Prof. Dr. Christoph | Deputy |
Academic Staff | |
Baßler, Dr. Harald | Member |
Möller, Prof. Dr. Astrid | Deputy |
Weitnauer, Dr. Gabriele | Member |
Junker, Dr. Markus | Deputy |
Members of the Investigative Commission on Academic Integrity
(permanent members and deputies)
Administration: Dr. Uwe Tonndorf
Contact: uwe.tonndorf@zv.uni-freiburg.de, Phone 0761-203 9696