Ombudsperson to safeguard good scientific practice
As a public research organisation, DLR is committed to safeguarding scientific practice and initiating appropriate procedures in the event of scientific misconduct. This measure is based on the German Research Foundation’s (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft; DFG) proposals from 1998 for safeguarding good scientific practice.
DLR has to appoint an ombudsperson to ensure compliance with the rules. This person is appointed by the Executive Board together with the Scientific and Technical Council and is the point of contact regarding matters of scientific misconduct for a period of three years. In the event that the autonomy of the ombudsperson is not assured, the Executive Board will appoint a replacement.
On 1 December 2021, André Thess was appointed as ombudsman for safeguarding good scientific practice at DLR. Heinz-Wilhelm Hübers is his deputy. They must be informed immediately in the event of misconduct. Their task is to ascertain the facts as comprehensively and discreetly as possible.
There is also a working group of ombudspersons at the Helmholtz Centers, which elects a spokesperson and a deputy. These are the ombudspersons at Helmholtz level and an additional point of contact in cases where the DLR ombudspersons are not sufficient.