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”
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.
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
On March 28th and 29th, 2025, the 7th Leibniz PhD Future Workshop took place at the Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology (LIN) in Magdeburg. Around 20 PhD students from various cities across Germany, including Dresden, Leipzig, Bochum, Frankfurt (Oder), Jena, and Hamburg, gathered to discuss the challenges and opportunities within doctoral studies and shape the future of the Leibniz PhD Network.
A Diverse Program with Engaging Discussions
The workshop kicked off on Friday afternoon with a welcoming speech by Dr. Torben Heinze, the Administrative Director of LIN, who extended a warm welcome to all participants. Following this, the current Steering Committee presented the network’s current objectives and activities. The six working groups of the network then introduced their key areas of focus: Mental Health, Diversity, Survey, Prevention of Power Abuse and Contract Situation, Sustainability, and Communications. These working groups offer all PhD students working at Leibniz Institutes the opportunity to actively contribute and collaboratively develop solutions to pressing issues.
A highlight of the workshop was the panel talk titled “Future is NOW: Past, Present, and Future of PhD Experiences”, which featured experts such as Timm Schönfelder (Ombudsperson at GWZO), Ulrike Papajewski (press and public relations, LIN), Eleni Sachs (former spokesperson for Section D and member of the Working Group on Prevention of Power Abuse and Contract Situation) and, Julius Petrausch (Leibniz PhD Network spokesperson and PhD at the IPF). The panel talk was moderated by Johanna Richter (PhD at the Max Born Institute). The discussion covered a range of topics, including the evolution of PhD experiences over time, mental health challenges, and the issue of power abuse. The panel was held in a hybrid format, allowing PhD students who could not attend in person to participate remotely.
After a short coffee break, participants broke into working group sessions to dive deeper into specific topics and collaborate on solutions. The day concluded with an optional city tour and a self-paid dinner, offering a relaxed atmosphere for further networking and conversation.
Key Milestone: Survey on Power Abuse and Contract Situations
One of the major milestones of the workshop was the release of a survey by the Working Group on Prevention of Power Abuse and Contract Situations. After two years of work, the group published the survey on Sunday, which focuses on power abuse and contract conditions—issues that have become the subject of intense discussion. Despite the growing importance of these topics, there has been limited data available until now. The survey, open to all Leibniz PhDs, aims to gather crucial information and insights on these pressing matters, helping to address the gaps in knowledge and promote positive change across the Leibniz Institutes.
Forward-Thinking Working Groups and Continued Discussions
The second day began with a working group session, where participants further developed their ideas and discussed concrete roadmaps for the future of the Leibniz PhD Network. A group photo and another coffee break followed, marking the halfway point of the day.
The workshop wrapped up with a final discussion, where the results of the working groups were summarized and future steps for the network were outlined. The event ended with a shared lunch, offering participants one last opportunity to connect and reflect on the progress made over the course of the workshop.
Conclusion: A Successful Exchange
The 7th Leibniz PhD Future Workshop in Magdeburg was a resounding success, providing a valuable platform for PhD students to exchange ideas, collaborate, and push forward important topics such as mental health, diversity, and improving working conditions for doctoral candidates. The hybrid format was especially noteworthy, allowing for broader participation and fostering interdisciplinary exchanges, which will be the foundation for future initiatives and projects within the Leibniz PhD Network. The release of the new survey on power abuse and contract situations marks a significant step forward in addressing some of the most debated issues currently facing PhD students, and it is expected to contribute to much-needed change within the community.
On March 28th and 29th the 7th Future Workshop of the PhD Network will take place in Magdeburg at the Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology (LIN). 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 March 15th, 2025. Please share this announcement to your PhD peers.
