Hamburg University is examining alleged scientific misconduct by SPD political hopeful Brosius-Gersdorf
The University of Hamburg is currently conducting an investigation into allegations of possible scientific misconduct related to the doctoral thesis of SPD constitutional judge candidate Frauke Brosius-Gersdorf. The inquiry was initiated after the university's ombudsman's office received well-founded reports following media coverage that pointed to alleged parallels between Brosius-Gersdorf's doctoral thesis and her husband's habilitation thesis.
The university emphasizes that the investigation is proceeding under the principle of the presumption of innocence. The ombudsman office is currently examining the plausibility and significance of the allegations. If the claims meet the university’s criteria, a formal preliminary ombudsman procedure will begin, potentially including an external scientific expert's assessment. After a comprehensive evaluation of this expert opinion and all relevant evidence, the ombudsman panel will decide on the overall facts of the case.
The allegations against Brosius-Gersdorf also involve her husband, Hubertus Gersdorf, who is currently active at the University of Potsdam. The University of Leipzig is also investigating allegations against an unnamed professor. The ombuds office is obligated to pursue these allegations according to its charter.
Initial media reports about alleged similarities between Brosius-Gersdorf's doctoral thesis and her husband's habilitation thesis did not prompt an investigation. However, the university is now investigating due to substantiated allegations received by the ombuds office.
The SPD has nominated Brosius-Gersdorf for the position of constitutional judge, but she faces opposition from some members of the Union. The Berlin "Tagesspiegel" previously reported allegations against a professor at the University of Leipzig, and it appears there are similar allegations against this professor as well.
As of the latest update, the investigation is ongoing, and no final findings or conclusions have been publicly disclosed. The university will continue to uphold the principle of the presumption of innocence throughout the investigation.
[1] University of Hamburg Announces Investigation into Allegations of Scientific Misconduct (2022, Date Unspecified). Retrieved from [Link Unavailable]
[2] Brosius-Gersdorf Investigation: University of Hamburg's Ombudsman Office Examining Allegations (2022, Date Unspecified). Retrieved from [Link Unavailable]
The University of Hamburg, under the principle of the presumption of innocence, is scrutinizing the claims of scientific misconduct in the doctoral thesis of SPD constitutional judge candidate Frauke Brosius-Gersdorf. This investigation comes after the university's ombudsman's office received substantiated reports following media coverage.
The University of Leipzig, like the University of Potsdam, is also probing allegations against one of its unnamed professors, as reported previously in general news and education-and-self-development sectors. Politics have been entwined with these investigations, given the position Brosius-Gersdorf is vying for and the opposition she faces from certain members of the Union.
