Good Scientific Practice Panel

The Good Scientific Practice Panel (GSPP) of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences is an independent and confidential point of contact for PhD students and postdocs regarding questions and conflicts arising in their day-to-day academic work.

The GSPP provides support in particular on issues such as:

•    supervision and collaboration in doctoral or postdoctoral relationships,
•    authorship and recognition of academic achievements,
•    visibility of academic contributions,
•    conflicts arising from academic collaborations or applications for third-party funding,
•    matters of good scientific practice and research integrity.

Good Supervision and Research Integrity

Good supervision is based on the principles of good academic practice and research integrity, as described in the guidelines of the German Research Foundation (DFG) and in the European Code of Conduct for Research Integrity (ALLEA). It is characterised by transparency, fairness, reliability, mutual respect and open communication. Expectations, responsibilities and academic contributions should be discussed at an early stage and reviewed regularly.

Problems in the supervisory relationship or breaches of these principles may manifest themselves, for example, through:

•    inadequate or absent academic supervision and a lack of feedback,
•    unreasonable delays in the review of manuscripts, dissertations or qualification theses

The Good Scientific Practice Panel (GSPP) of the Faculty of Science serves as a contact point for conflicts that may arise in the course of a doctoral thesis or during scientific work as a postdoc. Conflicts arise, for example, during supervision, on the subject of authorship (first author, co-author), or when applying for third-party funding. The visibility of your work is an important aspect. If you feel that your contribution is not being adequately appreciated, please contact your supervisor, second supervisor or mentor in the first place. If no agreement can be found there, you can send a mail to gspp-mnfuuni-potsdampde or a representatives of the GSPP for advice.

Points of contact and further information

Representatives of the Good Scientific Practice Panel

Prof. Dr. Patrick O'Brien (Institute of Geosciences)  
Prof. Dr. Andreas Taubert  (Institute of Chemistry)
Prof. Dr. Torsten Schaub (Institute of Computer Science)
Prof. Dr. Karoline Wiesner (Institute of Physics and Astronomy)
Prof. Dr. Elke Dittmann (Institute of Biochemistry and Biology)
Dr. Susanne Hollmann (Moderation, Dean's Office)Equal Opportunities Officers of the Faculty of Science 

For all individual queries and issues relating to equality contact Dr. Elke Rosenberger or Sarah Jacobi-Vogelsang (ab 10/26)

What to do in an emergency?

If you are being harassed or feel unsafe – whether on the University of Potsdam campus or whilst on business trips, excursions, fieldwork or other work-related activities within Germany – leave the situation, seek support and, in acute emergencies, call the police emergency number 110. For information on dealing with harassment, assaults and other urgent emergencies, please refer to the relevant information sheet. If you feel you have been discriminated against or have experienced racism, please contact the Central Coordination Office for Equal Opportunities. There you will receive advice, support and information on the next steps to take.

Checklists

The checklists provided below are intended to serve as a basis for self-assessment and for the annual staff appraisal. With their help, both doctoral students and supervisors can review and reflect on whether and how the supervision agreement is being adhered to from their perspective, or whether there is a need for improvement. They can also be used to prepare for a discussion regarding a matter to be raised with the GSPP.