The doctoral phase is a very intense period of close collaboration with your supervisor. Rarely, this relationship comes under strain, particularly when not everything progresses according to plan. Within the framework of an appreciate university culture and a good working atmosphere, we view conflict as a potential opportunity for change and development at our university.

All members of FAU have the right to seek advice from a point of contact they can trust in conflict situations.

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Mediators at the faculties

You are always welcome to contact the FAU Graduate Center as a first port of call for initial advice. If you prefer, you may also choose to contact the chairs of the bodies responsible for doctoral degrees at the faculties.

If you feel that the team from the Graduate Center and the chairs of the bodies responsible for doctoral degrees are not whom you would choose to contact in the case of any difficulties during your doctoral phase, the following points of contact are available instead:

• Faculty of Humanities, Social Sciences, and Theology (Dr. phil.): Prof. Dr. Mechthild Habermann
• School of Theology (Dr. theol.): Prof. em. Hans Ulrich
• School of Law (Dr. jur.): Prof. em. Franz Streng
• School of Business and Economics (Dr. rer. pol.): Prof. Dr. Markus Beckmann, Prof. Oliver Schoeffski
• Faculty of Medicine (Dr. med., Dr. med. dent., Dr. rer. biol. Hum.): Prof. Dr. Winfried Neuhuber
• Faculty of Sciences (Dr. rer. Nat.): n.n.
• Faculty of Engineering (Dr.-Ing.): Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Andreas P. Fröba

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 FAU Conflict Management Team

In addition to the mediators, you can also approach the Conflict Management Team at FAU with your issue or contact the Commission for Research Conflict Management. Every conflict management officer in the Commission acts as a contact for members of the University affected by conflicts at the workplace. Members of the University who are affected by conflicts at the workplace are free to contact any of the conflict management officers in the Commission.

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 Officer for the Prevention of Antisemitism

The Antisemitism Officer is the point of contact for Jewish students, staff, researchers and teaching staff.

In addition, all members of FAU can contact the Officer for the Prevention of Antisemitism in confidence to report any suspected cases of antisemitism at FAU.

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Antisemitism Officer

The Office of Equality and Diversity provides confidential initial advice and can advise female students and researchers directly affected by sexual harassment and discrimination how to pursue the matter further. The women’s representatives at your faculty are also available to give initial advice and referrals. Information about other points of contact and counseling services at FAU is available at:

https://www.equality-and-diversity.fau.eu/equal-opportunities/sexual-harrassment-and-discrimination/

Advice available from: Harriet Ziegler

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The Doctoral Candidates’ Council

The Doctoral Candidates’ Council are the elected representatives of all doctoral candidates at FAU and stand up for the rights of doctoral candidates across the whole of the university. Current information on the Doctoral Candidates’ Council is available on the Doctoral Candidates’ Council blog.

It consists of two representatives from each faculty who are elected for a term of one year. All doctoral candidates who are registered in the Graduate Center’s database of doctoral candidates, docDaten, are eligible to vote for their representatives. This council formally represents the interests and concerns of doctoral candidates within the university structure.
The Doctoral Candidates’ Council is also represented in the following committees:

• Representation in the Senate
• Two representatives in the Graduate Center’s Steering Committee
• Advisory member in the Commission for Research and Early-Career Researchers
• Advisory member in the Commission for Equal Opportunities
• Advisory member in the Library Commission

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Professors responsible for doctoral degrees

The professors responsible for doctoral degrees play an important role throughout the process of working on your doctoral degree and the examination at the end. Together with the bodies responsible for doctoral degrees, they decide about admission to a doctoral degree. The bodies responsible for doctoral degrees ensure that the doctoral procedure is conducted in an appropriate manner and is not subject to delays. The chairperson is entitled to take decisions that cannot be delayed on behalf of the bodies responsible.

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Research coordinators at the faculties

For initial questions with regard to your doctoral degree, you can contact the advisors at your faculty directly.