Safeguarding Good Research Practice at the University of Cologne

The University of Cologne considers good research practice a prerequisite for top-quality research and teaching. Best practice standards form the basis of a university’s national and international reputation, its appeal for students and researchers, as well as its attractiveness for collaboration with other research institutions and third-party donors.

The Committee on Safeguarding Good Research Practice was instituted in 2008. Prior to that, its tasks had been performed by the Committee for Research and Early-Career Researchers, which was dissolved that year. The Committee on Safeguarding Good Research Practice consists of one professor per Faculty, two representatives of academic staff, as well as the ombudsperson. The Committee is chaired by the Vice-Rector for Research by virtue of her position.

One of the Committee’s tasks is to help formulate and develop best practice standards. To that end, it can promote new developments on its own initiative or members of the university can contact it with requests for expertise.

The Committee is moreover responsible for clarifying the circumstances of suspected cases of research misconduct. In doing so, it cooperates closely with the University’s ombudsperson. The Committee clarifies – inter alia by consulting relevant expert opinions – the circumstances of a case and prepares recommendations for the Rectorate of the University of Cologne.

The Committee on Safeguarding Good Research Practice meets at intervals of several months and can be convened as occasion demands. The fundamental principles of good research practice at the University of Cologne are set out in the Guidelines on Good Research Practice.