Challenges in Everyday Academic Life
The academic world is a complex environment that presents not only great opportunities but also particular challenges. Structural conditions, institutional dynamics and personal dependencies can lead to individuals finding themselves in difficult situations and not knowing who to turn to.
Anyone finding themselves in one of these situations does not have to deal with it alone. The following contact and advice centres offer guidance, support and – where necessary – confidential points of contact.
Contact points and information for HHU researchers
Legal framework for academics
In order to do justice to the framework conditions in academic education, there is a special regulation for academics* - the Act on Temporary Employment Contracts in Science (Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz, WissZeitVG).
More information on Academic employment law
Further information on working conditions in science:
- HHU Guidelines on permanent positions in academia beyond professorships
- Guidelines for good employment conditions for staff at universities of NRW
(in German) - Euraxess information plattform for mobile researchers
Representations for scientific staff:
According to the provisions of the NRW State Personnel Representation Act (LPVG), a separate staff representation body must be set up for academic staff at universities. The Staff Council for Academic Staff at Heinrich Heine University advises and represents academic staff from all faculties at the university.
Complaints Office pursuant to Art. 13 General Act on Equal Treatment
The purpose of the German General Act on Equal Treatment (Allgemeines Gleichbehandlungsgesetz – AGG), which entered into force in 2006, is to prevent or stop discrimination on the grounds of: Race or ethnic origin, Gender, Religion or belief, Disability, Age or Sexual orientation. Legislators have explicitly stipulated that employees have the right to lodge complaints.
Complaints Office at HHU
Support programmes for scientists with families:
- For Women in Science - for female researchers with children - Loreal Foundation
- Support for female researchers with children - Christine Nüsslein Vollhardt Foundation
Concerning conficential matters you have several contacts within and outside of university who will support you.
HHU-internal contact persons
- Contact office for cases of discrimination and abuse of power
- Ombudsperson of HHU
- Counselling during graduate education at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences
via Interdisciplinary Graduate and Research Academy Düsseldorf (iGRAD) - Counselling for early career researchers and supervisors at the Faculty Arts and Humanities
via the graduate academy philGRAD
Contacts outside of HHU
Network against Abuse of Power in Science
Counselling in the event of attacks and unobjective conflicts in scientific communication
You can log in using your university account or an existing HÜF ILIAS account and access the course without having to register or be granted access.