Advising in Cases of Conflict

Ombudspersons

Within the framework of the measures for quality assurance in doctoral procedures, the University of Mannheim has appointed ombudspersons to mediate in case that differences between supervisors and their doctoral students arise in the course of the doctorate.

Confidential and independent

The ombudspersons are confidential contacts for both doctoral students and supervisors. They are independent entities that provide advice and mediate in cases of conflict. They can only make recommendations for conflict resolution, the implementation of which is left to the parties concerned.

If you need advice, you can contact one of the ombudspersons directly. Before contacting them, please refer to the Statutes of the University of Mannheim (PDF, 388 kB) (section 4) for information on the exact procedure.

In any case, your request will be treated confidentially and information will not be passed on to third parties. Seeking contact with an ombudsperson does not mean that a mediation process will be initiated. Ombudspersons are also only available for consultation.

You are also welcome to contact the advisor on doctoral studies at the University of Mannheim in advance and arrange a consultation appointment.

Prof. Dr. Caroline Lusin

Chair

Profile

University of Mannheim
Anglistik II
L 10, 11–12 – Room 315
68161 Mannheim

Phone: +49 621 181-2356
E-mail: c.lusinuni-mannheim.de

Consultation hour(s):
Wed 11–12 a.m. via Zoom
(Registration by e-mail)

Credit: Elisa Berdica

Prof. Dr. Marc Debus

Professorship of Political Science, Comparative Government

Profile

University of Mannheim
School of Social Sciences
A 5, 6
Building A – Room A 337
68159 Mannheim

Phone: +49 621 181-2082
E-mail: polwiss3uni-mannheim.de
Web: sowi.uni-mannheim.de/en/debus

Consultation hour(s):
Thursday, 10:00–11:00 am, fortnightly
Please register via mail: polwiss3uni-mannheim.de

Counseling

At times, we all need someone to turn to for advice, e.g. in case of difficult situations among colleagues or in the event of conflicts with our supervisors and/or with our fellow doctoral students. Even if you simply have the feeling that you cannot stand up to all the demands you have to cope with, we will always have a sympathetic ear for you. We advise you independently and with complete confidentiality.

The counseling service of the Department of Equal Opportunity and Social Diversity provides advice on the following topics, among others:

Sexual harassment
Anti-discrimination
Observance of the Code of Conduct of the University of Mannheim
Reconciling family and work

Credit: Joseline Weinberg

Alessa Tabea Nick, M.Sc. (she/her)

Social Counseling

University of Mannheim
Department of Equal Opportunity and Diversity
B 6, 30–32 – Room 014
68159 Mannheim

Phone: +49 621 181-2526
E-mail: alessa.nickuni-mannheim.de

Staff Council

The Staff Council of the University of Mannheim represents the interests of all staff members at the university. The members of the Staff Council can be contacted for all basic issues related to labor law as well as in the event of conflicts with superiors or colleagues. They provide information on collective bargaining agreements and statutory regulations and provide mediation services in cases of conflict. The Staff Council is also happy to help with specific questions regarding the collective agreement (vacation entitlements, termination regulations, pay grades and/or remuneration brackets etc.), the academic fixed-term contract act (WissZeitVG) or your payroll.

Consultations with the Staff Council are absolutely confidential.

Christian Fäth (he/him)

Chairman of the Staff Council

Verwaltungsangestellter

University of Mannheim
Staff Council
L9, 1–2 – Room 101
68161 Mannheim

Phone: +49 621 181-3336
E-mail: christian.faethuni-mannheim.de

Dr. Regine Zeller

Member of the Board Staff Council

Wissenschaftliche Angestellte

University of Mannheim
School of Humanities
L 9, 1–2 – Room 115
68161 Mannheim

Phone: +49 621 181-2323
E-mail: regine-zelleruni-mannheim.de

Mental health during your doctorate

Information on how to look after your mental health while studying or pursuing your doctorate