Guideline 4
Responsibility of the heads of research work units
The head of a research work unit is responsible for the entire unit. Collabo- ration within the unit is designed such that the group as a whole can perform its tasks, the necessary cooperation and coordination can be achieved, and all members understand their roles, rights and duties. The leadership role includes ensuring adequate individual supervision of early career researchers, integrated in the overall institutional policy, as well as career development for researchers and research support staff. Suitable organisational measures are in place at the level of the individual unit and of the leadership of the institution to prevent the abuse of power and exploitation of dependent relationships.
Explanation
The size and the organisation of the unit are designed to allow leadership tasks, particularly skills training, research support and supervisory duties, to be performed appropriately. The performance of leadership tasks is associated with a corresponding responsibility. Researchers and research support staff benefit from a balance of support and personal responsibility appropriate to their career level. They are given adequate status with corresponding rights of participation. Through gradually increasing autonomy, they are empowered to shape their career.
Comments
- Avoidance of the abuse of power
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Career development
Career development support measures are provided for researchers as appropriate.
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Enhancing reproducible research practices
The reproducibility or replicability of results is a fundamental quality criterion in many areas of research.
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Measures to protect researchers from abuse of power (in particular: sexual harassment)
The working environment for researchers in early career phases should be designed in a way which provides the best support, career advancement and protects them from any form of abuse of power.
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Mitigating Bias in Scientific Evaluation and Decision-Making Processes
Judgements and discussions (including one’s own) should be critically examined for potential bias.
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Research support staff
Research support staff are non-academic personnel such as laboratory assistants.
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Research work unit
A research work unit might be an institute, a chair, a teaching area, a department, a group, a team, etc.
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Supervision during the early stages of an academic career
How students, doctoral researchers and newly qualified postdocs are supervised and supported in their career development varies according to their career stage.
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The aspect of increasing independence in early academic career phases
Researchers enjoy a balance of support and autonomy appropriate to their career level.
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Further links on the subject of the responsibilities of the head of a work unit
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Responsibilities of the head of a work unit in the life sciences
Planning projects and writing publications account for much of the research activity, as does reviewing and evaluating scientific publications and projects.
The abuse of power in academia is not commonplace, but it does happen. There are many levels at which the abuse of power can occur in academia.