Dataset publication: Power Abuse Survey 2025

The Leibniz PhD Network has published the dataset of the Power Abuse Survey 2025 on Zenodo.

The survey was conducted by the Working Group Contract Situation & Prevention of Power Abuse to better understand mechanisms of power abuse within the Leibniz Association and to support evidence-based discussions on how to improve working conditions for doctoral researchers. The survey was open from March 29 to June 13, 2025, and received more than 400 responses from doctoral researchers across the Leibniz Association.

With this dataset publication, we aim to make the results transparent, reusable, and citable while respecting the anonymity and privacy of participants. The dataset provides an important basis for future discussions with doctoral researchers, representatives, institutes, and administrative bodies on how to strengthen prevention structures, support those affected, and foster a fair and respectful research environment.

The dataset is available via Zenodo:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20670450

The story does not end with the dataset. A detailed report is currently in the pipeline and coming soon. Stay tuned!

We thank everyone who participated in the survey and contributed to this important work. Your responses help us raise awareness, identify structural challenges, and advocate for safer and more respectful conditions for doctoral researchers within the Leibniz Association.

For questions, feedback, or further information, please contact:
ppa.leibnizphd@outlook.com

8th Future Workshop – Registration Open!

On May 29th and 30th the 8th Future Workshop of the PhD Network will take place in Halle (Saale) at the Leibniz Institute of Plant Biochemistry (IPB). This is a space where your ideas matter. Join a dynamic community of researchers ready to amplify voices, identify challenges, and create solutions together. This is your chance to engage with peers, exchange experiences, and shape the future of science in an open and collaborative environment.

Why Join?

  • Make Your Voice Heard – Discuss the challenges you face in academia and work together to find solutions.
  • Find Strength in Community – Connect with peers, seek advice and learn about other experiences.
  • Shape the Future of Science – Develop strategies that could drive change in research and academia.
  • Engage in working groups – Participate in PhD-network to develop practical ideas and actions.

Be Part of the Workshop!

This is your opportunity to connect, contribute, and create impact. Register today for the Future Workshop and be part of the conversation. Please register here until May 15th, 2026. Please share this announcement to your PhD peers.

One-Pager Released

New One-Pager on the Power Abuse Survey for DR Representatives

As presented during the General Assembly at the end of October, the Working Group “Contract Situations & Prevention of Power Abuse” is currently evaluating the results of this year’s Power Abuse Survey.

We were very pleased with the strong engagement of DR Representatives, your thoughtful feedback, and your clear interest in the outcomes. This motivates us to finalize the full report, which we will share with you as soon as it is ready.

In the meantime, to keep you updated, we are sharing a short one-pager with key information and preliminary insights from the survey.

You are warmly invited to:

  • Read through the one-pager
  • Share it with your DR colleagues
  • Use it as you see fit within your institute (e.g., in meetings, newsletters, or informal discussions)

We are very much looking forward to your feedback, comments, and thoughts on this work.
You can reach us anytime at: ppa.leibnizphd@outlook.com— The team of the Working Group
“Contract Situations & Prevention of Power Abuse”

20251204_SC-PPA_PowerAbuseSurvey_2025_OnePager_CC_

Download

Our Call to the Leibniz Association: Strengthening Commitment to Prevent Power Abuse and Foster a Culture of Respect 

Over a year ago, on September 18th, 2024, the Leibniz PhD Network sent an open letter to the Leibniz Association titled “Call to Strengthen the Leibniz Association’s Commitment to Prevent Power Abuse and Foster a Culture of Respect.” 
The letter outlined concrete, constructive measures to acknowledge and prevent power abuse, improve supervision, and ensure a fair, respectful working environment for all researchers within the Leibniz Association. 

Despite our repeated attempts to initiate collaboration, the Leibniz Association has not engaged meaningfully on this topic yet. Following our submission, we were invited to a single discussion with the Secretary General on October 29th, 2024, and offered participation in a working group that unfortunately never materialized. 
As representatives of the doctoral researchers, we express our deep disappointment in the lack of response and progress. 
Power abuse remains a pressing issue in academia, and proactive measures are essential to safeguard fairness, respect, and integrity in our research environment. 
 
We are publishing this letter today to reaffirm our stance and call again for open, constructive dialogue and collaboration to address these systemic challenges. 
Our message remains clear: respect, fairness, and accountability are not optional— they are the foundation of good science. 

We remain convinced that, together with the Leibniz Association, we can be pioneers in addressing the misuse of power in sciences. Together, we can embark on this important journey and shape a future in which the structures in academia no longer favour mechanisms of power abuse.

Call-to-Strengthen-the-Leibniz-Associations-Commitment-to-Prevent-Power-Abuse-and-Foster-a-Culture-of-Respect

Power Abuse Survey – Thank you for your participation!

The survey was open from March 29 to June 13, 2025. During this period, we received 404 responses. Currently, the seven members of the working group are evaluating the results and preparing a report. We look forward to sharing our insights with you once this process is complete.

The Working Group for the Prevention of Power Abuse and Contract Situations met online and at the CSSB in Hamburg for the evaluation of the survey.

In the meantime, please feel free to reach out to us at any time. -> ppa.leibnizphd@outlook.com