Overview of Personal Responsibility and Liability
University members and staff who collaborate internationally for teaching or research purposes must do so responsibly.
They must comply with ethical principles , regulations relating to good research practice and the legal framework.
Researchers have a special responsibility for the lawful and secure conduct of international cooperation. Violations of relevant regulations (e.g. export control/sanctions law, data protection law, Nagoya compliance, etc.), can lead to consequences relating to service-/employment law, administrative offense law, and criminal law, depending on the individual case. The University of Göttingen and its faculties provide support through consultation and procedures. However, it remains the responsibility of the individual researchers to ensure compliance with the requirements on a case-by-case basis.
Certain goods, software and technology, as well as their transfer or provision (including digital provision), may be subject to export control and/or sanctions law restrictions or may require permission. This applies in particular to listed dual-use items or sanctions law prohibitions on provision. Whether measures are necessary (e.g. access restrictions, permission, BAFA coordination, etc.) is to be examined on a case-by-case basis.
Since violations can result in severe penalties, we recommend that all researchers at the university observe university procedures and processes and involve the responsible administrative department at an early stage. We also recommend reading the export control regulations, the EU sanctions list and, if applicable, the Nagoya protocol (which is an additional protocol to the Convention on Biological Diversity).
Third-party funding organisations also stress personal accountability. For example, a joint scientific commission appointed by the DFG and Leopoldina has published recommendations for research security in international cooperation, because "in almost all scientific disciplines, research findings that offer significant opportunities also have the potential to be misused". In line with the DFG's Guidelines for Safeguarding Good Research Practice, the recommendations emphasise "the ethical responsibility of individual researchers who can and must use their knowledge and experience to make personal decisions about justifiable courses of conduct, and their limits".
The University has established binding guidelines for a harassment- and discrimination-free teaching, learning, research and working culture with a “Guideline on the Prevention of and Protection against Sexualised Harassment and Violence at the Georg-August University Göttingen including the University Medical Center Göttingen” and a guideline for the prevention of and protection against discrimination of the Georg-August-University Göttingen (available in German only). University staff and guests face sanctions in case of discrimination and disadvantagement of international students and/or colleagues as well as in case of sexual harassment and violence. In its diversity agenda “Shaping Change through Diversity and Inclusion”, the DAAD pledges to support HIgher Education Institutions as plaes of non-discrimination.
The University's Duty of Care as an Employer - applicable within the scope of a work-related activity abroad for all individuals who are in an employment, training or civil service relationship with the University of Göttingen (e.g. social insurance, accident insurance, travel medical advice, emergency management) - can be viewed here (available in German only).
University members and staff in leadership positions have additional responsibilities towards their team:
- Provide guidance and tailored technical support to your employees and students on data and digital security to prevent data theft and surveillance risks.
- Establish an emergency procedure to deal with cases of endangerment, detention or disappearance abroad.
- Create awareness among your students and staff about how repressive environments can affect academic freedom.