Good Research Practice

Scientific integrity forms the basis of trustworthy science. It is a form of scientific self-commitment that encompasses the respectful treatment of each other, study participants, animals, cultural assets and the environment and strengthens and promotes society's indispensable trust in science. The constitutionally guaranteed freedom of science is inextricably linked to a corresponding responsibility. Taking this responsibility fully into account and anchoring it as a guideline for one's own actions is first and foremost the task of every scientist and the institutions in which science is organised. Science itself ensures good scientific practice through honest thought and action, not least through organisational and procedural regulations.

(Excerpt from the preamble of the DFG's Code of Conduct “Guidelines for Safeguarding Good Research Practice.”)

Ombudspersons

Academics and students at the University of Rostock are committed to academic honesty. The University of Rostock is committed to the fundamental values and standards of academic work and will in turn investigate any concrete suspicion of academic misconduct at the University. To this end, it appoints six ombudspersons for prevention and mediation. The ombudspersons are elected by the Academic Senate.

Ombudspersons advise those who inform them of suspected academic misconduct, as well as individuals who are suspected of academic misconduct. They also take up specific indications of academic misconduct of which they become aware in any other way.
Ombudspersons are also responsible for the preliminary investigation of suspected cases and for initial attempts to mediate between the person providing the information and the person suspected of misconduct. They carry out the preliminary investigation procedure.

If you are seeking advice in connection with academic misconduct, please contact one of the following ombudspersons at the University of Rostock. Alternatively, you can also contact the supra-regional ‘Ombuds Committee for Research Integrity in Germany’. The work of the ombudspersons is subject to the utmost confidentiality.

Legal bases

Nichtamtliche Lesefassung der Regeln zur Sicherung guter wissenschaftlicher Praxis und zur Vermeidung wissenschaftlichen Fehlverhaltens

Regeln zur Sicherung guter wissenschaftlicher Praxis und zur Vermeidung wissenschaftlichen Fehlverhaltens an der Universität Rostock

English version: Rules to Secure Good Research Practice and Avoid Academic Misconduct

Erste Satzung zur Änderung der Regeln zur Sicherung guter wissenschaftlicher Praxis und zur Vermeidung wissenschaftlichen Fehlverhaltens an der Universität Rostock

English version: First Amending Statutes of the Rules to Secure Good Research Practice and Avoid Academic Misconduct at the University of RostockLeitlinien der Universität Rostock für den Umgang mit geistigem Eigentum

Open-Access-Erklärung der Universität Rostock

Leitseite DFG: Gute wissenschaftliche Praxis

Ombudspersons: Professors

Name Faculty Field Phone E-Mail
Prof. Dr. Bernd Marcus WSF Humanities and Social Sciences 0381 498-4080 bernd.marcus@uni-rostock.de
Prof. Dr. Hermann Seitz MSF Engineering Sciences 0381 498-9090 hermann.seitz@uni-rostock.de
Prof. Dr. Florian Jansen AUF Natural Siences 0381 498-3220 florian.jansen@uni-rostock.de
Prof. Dr. Niels Grabow UMR Medicine 0381 494-5500 niels.grabow@med.uni-rostock.de

Ombudspersons: Academic Staff with Doctorates

Name Faculty Field Phone E-Mail
Dr. Martin Lemke PHF Humanities and Social Sciences 0381 498-2806 martin.lemke@uni-rostock.dee
Dr. Dennis Müller MNF Natural Sciences 0381 498-6571 dennis.mueller@uni-rostock.de

Board of Ombudspersons

The ombudspersons together form a board of ombudspersons. It serves to provide mutual information and advice on individual cases and is intended to help ensure that the rules of good academic practice and corresponding breaches of the rules are applied as uniformly as possible. Furthermore, the Ombudsman Board advises the Rectorate and the Dean's Offices on fundamental issues of good academic practice and can make recommendations in this regard.
 

Committee of Inquiry

The University has set up an Committee of Inquiry to advise the Rectorate on matters of safeguarding good academic practice and honesty and to investigate suspected cases of academic misconduct. The members of the Committee of Inquiry are elected by the Academic Senate.

Following referral of the case by the Board of Ombudspersons, the Committee of Inquiry examines whether academic misconduct has occurred in a free evaluation of evidence and concludes the investigation procedure with a status report.

Member of the Committee of Inquiry (term of office 15. Mai 2025 - 14. Mai 2028):

  • Prof. Dr. Andreas Spengler (PHF - Humanities and Social Sciences, Professor)
  • Prof. Dr. Sascha Spors (IEF - Engineering Sciences, Professor)
  • Prof. Dr. Hendrik Schubert (MNF - Natural Sciences, Professor)
  • Prof. Dr. Markus Kipp (UMR - Medicine, Professor)
  • Dr. Robert Brumme (WSF - Humanities and Social Sciences, Academics Staff with doctorate)
  • Dr. Christian Rosenke (IEF - Engineering Sciences, Academic Staff with doctorate)
  • Anja Christow (JUF, Qualified to Serve as a Judge)