Commission on Responsibility in Science
The Commission on Responsibility in Science supports and advises members and affiliates of the Doctoral School NRW with regard to research projects for which they are responsible, by providing statements on ethically relevant aspects before and during the conduct of these research projects.
Responsibilities of the Commission on Responsibility in Science
As a standing body of the Doctoral School NRW, the Commission on Responsibility in Science deals with standards and principles within a research field, as well as with the impact of research on individuals and society. It operates on the basis of applicable law, scientific standards, and relevant professional codes.
Application
The Commission is only convened if the responsibilities of the Doctoral School NRW and, consequently, the promotion of early-career researchers are affected, and if the approval of the supporting university is granted. It may be activated:
- at the request of the principal investigator,
- at the request of participating doctoral candidates,
- at the request of other participating researchers,
- on the basis of justified third-party indications (§ 6, paragraph 8).
Circumstances Justifying the Initiation of a Procedure
A procedure may be initiated for:
- Consultation and statements on ethically relevant aspects,
- Statements on ethically relevant aspects for submission to third-party funding bodies,
- Statements on ethically relevant aspects for submission to publication bodies in preparation for publications.
Cases for Statements
- Principal investigators are required, when applying for research funding, to submit a statement to the funding body regarding ethically relevant aspects of the research project. With the approval of the supporting university, the Commission may prepare the corresponding statement.
- Principal investigators, participating researchers, and participating doctoral candidates are required, in the context of a publication, to submit a statement to the publication body regarding ethically relevant aspects of the research project. With the approval of the supporting university, the Commission may prepare the corresponding statement.
Participating doctoral candidates and other participating researchers may submit an application if, during the application or implementation of the research project, doubts arise concerning the ethical admissibility of the project, provided the approval of the supporting university where the research project is based is granted.
Composition
The Commission is composed as follows:
- Five professorial members from different departments,
- One doctoral candidate member (vacant),
- One staff member of the Doctoral School NRW,
- One member of the Excecutive Board.
The members of the Commission, as well as one deputy per member, are appointed by the Board of the Doctoral School NRW in agreement with the Collegiate Senate.
Currently, the following members belong to the Commission:
Prof. Dr. Klaus Maas
TH Ostwestfalen-Lippe
Prof. Dr. Marcus Mergenthaler
FH Südwestfalen
Prof. Dr. Astrid Rehorek
TH Köln
Prof. Dr. Dirk Rueter
HS Ruhr West
Prof. Dr. Grit Behrens
HS Bielefeld
Deputy Member
Prof. Dr. Jochen Blaurock
TH Köln
Deputy Member
Prof. Dr. Marion Gebhard
Westfälische HS
Deputy Member
Prof. Dr. Jürgen Karla
HS Niederrhein
Deputy Member
Prof. Dr. Sabine Sachweh
FH Dortmund
Deputy Member
Dr. David Gilgen
Doctoral School NRW
Dr. Isabelle Kunze
Doctoral School NRW
Deputy Member
Prof. Dr. Hartmut Ihne
HS Bonn-Rhein-Sieg
Prof. Dr. Martin Sternberg
HS Bochum
Deputy Member
