University of Hamburg intends to evaluate the doctoral dissertation of Brosius-Gersdorf
The University of Hamburg is currently investigating possible scientific misconduct allegations against Frauke Brosius-Gersdorf, a constitutional judge candidate and professor at the University of Potsdam, and her husband, Hubertus Gersdorf, a professor at the University of Leipzig.
The inquiries were prompted by accusations made by an unnamed source, which suggested significant parallels between Brosius-Gersdorf's doctoral thesis and her husband's habilitation thesis. Initially, the University of Hamburg did not find sufficient evidence to initiate a review. However, following well-founded reports received by the university's ombudsman's office, an investigation was launched in accordance with university statutes.
The investigation, being conducted internally by the university's ombuds committee, includes a potential formal ombudsman process and may involve an external scientific expert to assess the claims. Both individuals, Frauke Brosius-Gersdorf and Hubertus Gersdorf, are the subjects of these allegations. The university emphasizes the principle of the presumption of innocence while conducting the investigation.
The exact nature of the scientific misconduct allegations against both Brosius-Gersdorf and her husband is not specified in the article. However, the specialist lawyer for administrative law, Jeanette Reisig-Emden, described the allegations against Brosius-Gersdorf as "serious."
Previously, accusations had been made by the Austrian plagiarism hunter Stefan Weber, who identified similarities between Brosius-Gersdorf's dissertation and her husband's habilitation thesis. The investigation's outcome and the expert opinion prepared by the law firm commissioned by Brosius-Gersdorf and her husband have not been disclosed publicly.
The investigation is ongoing, with the university’s ombudsman panel set to evaluate expert opinions and all relevant documentation to determine any breach of scientific standards. Strict confidentiality must be maintained by all parties involved in the investigation.
It is worth noting that Hubertus Gersdorf had previously expressed that a ban on the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party was unrealistic in an interview with JUNGE FREIHEIT in June. A debate had arisen about Brosius-Gersdorf's constitutional positions, including her advocacy for a ban on the AfD and a vaccination obligation during the corona period. However, the article does not provide specific details about the constitutional positions of Hubertus Gersdorf.
The election of Brosius-Gersdorf as a judge at the Federal Constitutional Court was postponed two weeks ago. The investigation is likely to have significant implications for her future in academia and public service.
[1] Based on the provided bullet points.
- The ongoing investigation at the University of Hamburg concerning Frauke Brosius-Gersdorf and her husband, Hubertus Gersdorf, raises questions within the realms of education-and-self-development and general-news, as the issues involve plagiarism allegations in their academic works.
- In light of the election postponement of Frauke Brosius-Gersdorf as a judge at the Federal Constitutional Court and the investigation of scientific misconduct against her and her husband, politics is also intertwined, given Hubertus Gersdorf's past views on the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party and Brosius-Gersdorf's advocacy for a constitutional ban on the party.
