Ombudsperson and Commission for the Investigation of Academic Misconduct

Ombudsperson of the Doctoral School NRW

As a neutral and professionally qualified person of trust, the Ombudsperson serves as a contact point for members and affiliates of the Doctoral School NRW regarding all questions of good academic practice, as well as in cases where there is a suspicion of academic misconduct. The Ombudsperson’s responsibilities include advising, supporting, and mediating. They also provide guidance to members and affiliates of the Doctoral School NRW who have become unintentionally involved in a case of alleged academic misconduct.

Members and affiliates of the Doctoral School NRW may contact the Ombudsperson if there are objective indications of academic misconduct that relate to the School’s area of responsibility or to the conduct of a doctoral project.

The Ombudsperson and their deputy are elected by the Senate of the Doctoral School NRW from among the School’s academic members. Their term of office is three years.

Commission for the Investigation of Academic Misconduct

The Commission for the Investigation of Academic Misconduct is a standing commission of the Doctoral School NRW. It is convened when the Ombudsperson cannot dispel a suspicion of academic misconduct. During the investigation process, the principles of the right to be heard, confidentiality, the presumption of innocence, and impartiality apply.

The Commission for the Investigation of Academic Misconduct consists of one professorial member from each of three different departments—ideally one representative from the social, humanities, or cultural sciences; one from the natural sciences; and one from the engineering sciences. Members are elected by the Senate of the Doctoral School NRW for a term of three years. One deputy member is yet to be appointed.