Code of Conduct of the Wissenschaftskolleg zu Berlin

The Wissenschaftskolleg expects all Fellows, guests, staff members, cooperation partners and external service providers to adhere to the following principles:

1. The purpose of the Wissenschaftskolleg is to enable outstanding research for the benefit of all. It seeks to offer its Fellows the best possible conditions for their research. The diverse research interests of the Fellows pursue a common goal: to contribute to the understanding of the world within the frameworks and within the possibilities of the individual disciplines. The Wissenschaftskolleg is committed to scientific integrity and to adherence to the guidelines of good academic practice. 

2. At the Wissenschaftskolleg, everyone treats each other with respect and tolerates no form of discrimination, in particular no discrimination based on ethnicity, gender, disability, religion or worldview, age, sexual orientation, or identity. Discrimination has no place at the Wissenschaftskolleg: neither in daily interaction, nor in research behavior or during a selection process. The Kolleg is convinced that science and research can profit in every way from diversity. Science and innovation depend on open and constructive discourse in which new ideas can be freely exchanged and conventional wisdom can be put into question.

3. The aim of the Wissenschaftskolleg is to offer a working environment in which all Fellows, their family members, and all staff members receive recognition and know that they can address problems openly and without fear of reprisals. If problems arise in the Wissenschaftskolleg, they are openly and respectfully discussed with the goal of finding a solution acceptable to all parties. In addition, the principles and processes on which actions and decisions are based are conveyed and explained. The members of the community support each other in achieving their goals and respect individual abilities and desires. Personal boundaries are respected and the whole group contributes to a supportive working environment based on trust and mutual respect.

4. The community of the Wissenschaftskolleg wants to provide mutual support in the field of academics, in leadership and mentoring matters, and in developing careers. All activity is carried out in awareness that the fellowships are funded by tax monies and that the framework conditions of public funding must be respected. The Kolleg also commits itself to carry out its work in an ecologically sustainable way whenever possible.

5. The Wissenschaftskolleg is obligated to inform the public openly and transparently about its work. A variety of instruments are employed for communication with the public.