Research Culture
The German Sport University Cologne embodies a culture of research that combines excellence with responsibility: diversity and equal opportunity, HR Excellence in Research, sound scientific practice with clear points of contact such as the ombudsperson, and a consistent open science policy.
Good Scientific Practice
The German Sport University Cologne has established binding regulations to ensure good scientific practice and procedures to address suspected scientific misconduct. These regulations safeguard scientific integrity as a fundamental principle—from sound methodology and documentation to responsible authorship. The regulations are also part of the university’s institutional quality assurance system and are based on recognized standards within the German academic system.
For questions regarding good scientific practice and in cases of suspected scientific misconduct, our university’s regulations designate ombudspersons as confidential points of contact. Inquiries are handled confidentially—especially in sensitive conflict situations. The goal is to provide early advice, mediate, and—if necessary—initiate formal proceedings.
When it comes to misconduct in the academic sense (e.g., data manipulation, plagiarism, improper authorship, or other forms of academic misconduct), we rely on clear rules and a structured procedure. Key elements here are: prevention, confidential counseling (including through ombudspersons), and—in cases of substantiated suspicion—a structured approach in accordance with the relevant regulations. This approach is intended to ensure both the protection of whistleblowers and fairness toward those affected, while safeguarding the integrity of research.
Transparency and Fair Research Evaluation
The German Sport University Cologne has adopted an Open Science Policy, thereby committing to strategies that make scientific processes as open, accessible, verifiable, and reusable as possible. Open Science is also explicitly understood in the context of ensuring good scientific practice. In practice, this encompasses topics such as open access, research data, transparency, and the responsible reuse of research results.
Our university has joined CoARA and signed the “Agreement on Reforming Research Assessment (ARRA)” in February 2024; it is also listed as a founding member of the National Chapter. In doing so, we support a research evaluation system that focuses more on quality, knowledge gain, and diverse contributions (e.g., Open Science, Team Science, support for early-career researchers)—rather than solely on simple metrics. The university is actively communicating and further developing this initiative.
Current research evaluation is dominated by bibliometric and other quantitative indicators. This can create perverse incentives and fails to do justice to the diversity of scholarly achievements. The ARRA-Tools4U project aims to initiate a fundamental reform of research evaluation at the institutional level. The project is being carried out by the German Sport University Cologne in cooperation with Bielefeld University and is funded by the Volkswagen Foundation.
Diversity
At our university, diversity is enshrined as a conscious approach to diversity—with the goal of ensuring equal opportunity and participation regardless of, among other things, gender, nationality, age, disability, family obligations, social background, or sexual orientation. Diversity management emphasizes respectful and appreciative interaction as the foundation of university life. It also refers to binding regulations for protection against discrimination and harassment.
HR Excellence in Research
In the spring of 2023, the German Sport University Cologne was honored with the HR Excellence in Research Award—based on its HRS4R process (EU Charter & Code). With this award, we commit to systematically improving the working conditions for researchers—for example, in recruitment, working conditions, career development, and leadership. This commitment is also clearly reflected in the university’s strategic measures and documents.
Further information on HR Excellence in Research and the Human Resources Strategy for Researchers (HRS4R) can be found on our website.
Ombudsman & Important Contacts
Task
The research ombudspersons are appointed by the Office of the President. They serve as points of contact for members and affiliates of the university who wish to report allegations of research misconduct.
Otmar Bock
Research Ombudsman
Tobias Vogt
Vice President for Research & Transfer
Claudia Combrink
Head of the Research & Transfer Staff Office / Department of Research and Early-Career Scholars
