GoodScientificPractice
The Wuppertal Institute follows a transdisciplinary and practice-oriented research approach, focusing on sustainable transformation. Close cooperation with stakeholders in politics, business and wider society generates practicable solutions. The Institute adheres to the principles of Good Scientific Practice and foregrounds transparency and quality in its research.
Our researchers develop science-based solutions to ecological, social, political and economic challenges. In order to live up to this responsibility, the Institute follows the established principles of Good Scientific Practice. These principles are integral to our research and support the Institute's researchers in upholding high quality and ethical standards, while avoiding scientific misconduct. The Institute takes its lead from the Regulations for Safeguarding Good Scientific Practice at the University of Wuppertal (German only), which are based on the Guidelines for Safeguarding Good Scientific Practice issued by the German Research Foundation (DFG).
Ombudspersons
At the Wuppertal Institute, PD Dr. Peter Viebahn and Dr Jola Welfens are available to all researchers as ombudspersons for matters related to Good Scientific Practice. In accordance with Section 4 of the Regulations for Safeguarding Good Scientific Practice at the University of Wuppertal, they provide independent and confidential advice on all issues covered by the regulations. Whistleblowers and anyone affected can contact the ombudspersons directly and in confidence at any time to report a suspicion of scientific misconduct.
You can find further information on ombuds work by visiting the Ombuds Committee for Scientific Integrity in Germany.
Evaluation by the Johannes Rau Research Foundation
Scientific quality assurance at the Wuppertal Institute takes the form of a regular evaluation procedure coordinated by the Johannes Rau Research Foundation (JRF). This independent review examines the quality and relevance of our research as well as our adherence to Good Scientific Practice and methodological standards. The evaluation therefore supports the ongoing development of our scientific work and helps to ensure high standards. The evaluation procedure is a multi-stage process. It starts with self-reporting by the Institute based on a standardised catalogue of questions coordinated by the JRF before external evaluators conduct an on-site inspection and produce an evaluation report.
You can find further information on the evaluation procedure by visiting the Johannes Rau Research Foundation (German only).
Ethics Committee
The Wuppertal Institute is a member of the Johannes Rau Research Foundation (JRF) and part of the Ethics Committee established by the JRF in 2023. The committee issues recommendations for planned and ongoing projects and initiatives. While these recommendations are not binding, they serve as guidance for researchers. The Ethics Committee was established upon request from JRF members and by resolution of the JRF General Assembly – on the one hand, to bridge a gap in validating their own research and, on the other hand, in response to increasing demands from funding providers for fundamental access to an ethics committee. The Ethics Committee relies on the subsidiarity principle, which means it reviews projects that cannot be assessed by other institutions, such as universities and internal ethics committees. The Ethics Committee is anchored in the statutes of the JRF. The Ethics Committee is subject to a specific set of statutes, along with by-laws that govern further details.
You can find further information by visiting the Johannes Rau Research Foundation (JRF) (German only).