Excellent Research > Quality Management in Research > Ombudsperson

Ombudsperson for Science

The Ombudsperson for Science has been established in accordance with a recommendation of the international commission "Self-Control in Science" and sees itself as an advisory and mediating body.

The ombudsperson is available to all scientists for advice and support on questions of good scientific practice and its possible violation by scientific dishonesty.

All requests submitted to the ombudsperson are treated strictly confidentially.

Contact

Research ombudsperson

  • Professor Hedwig Richter
    Department of Social Sciences and Public Affairs
    Phone: +49 89 6004-2046

         Building 033, room 3118

 

Deputy ombudsperson:

  • Professor Thomas Hartung
    Department of Economics and Management
    Phone: +49 89 6004-4655
    Building 36, room 1157

 

 Term of office: 1 November 2022 – 31 October 2024

Procedure for suspected scientific misconduct

1. Confidant (ombudsperson)

The University Governance appoints an independent confidant to whom members of the University of the Bundeswehr Munich can turn. They are appointed for a period of two years; reappointment is possible.

The function of a confidant is incompatible with the office of a Vice President and a dean. The rules on expulsion due to personal participation (Art. 20 and 21 Bavarian Administrative Procedure Act) apply to the confidants.

2. Callability of the trusted third party

If members of the University of the Bundeswehr Munich see the need to express or receive advice on suspected scientific misconduct, they can call the person appointed by the University Governance. This right also applies to those who are suspected of scientific misconduct.

The confidant must examine whether and to what extent the suspicious facts appear plausible and could justify misconduct, as well as advise those seeking advice on the rules of good scientific practice. Confidentiality must be maintained in so far as the suspicious facts are not already known beyond the circle of those directly affected, or other persons are involved in the trust.

Without the consent of those seeking advice, the trusted third party may only pass on the information entrusted to him/her, if and to the extent that it is a well-founded suspicion of such a serious scientific misconduct that, in the event of such a serious scientific misconduct, the University of the Bundeswehr Munich, its members or third parties would not suffer the most serious damage as a result of further prosecution. In this case, the trusted third party informs the President and the Dean of the department or area of studies concerned, who must initiate the intended procedure.

3. Commission of Inquiry

The Governance Committee appoints a commission to investigate allegations of scientific misconduct, taking into account the proposal of the Extended University Governance Committee with regard to the representative of the academic staff, which is based on the proposal of the Research Associates’ Council. The commission consists of five members from among the professors at the University of the Bundeswehr Munich, at least one of whom must hold the qualification for a judicial office, as well as one representative from the non-professorial teaching staff. The ombudsperson and their deputy are advisory members of the commission. The commission members’ term of office is two years. Their reappointment is possible. The commission shall adopt its own rules of procedure.

The commission may call in other persons who have special expertise in the area of the accusation of academic misconduct to be assessed or who have experience in dealing with relevant procedures as members with an advisory vote. A student representative shall be called in if a student is affected in the case to be assessed.