We understand the Vienna Doctoral School of Theology and Research on Religion VDTR as a place where knowledge is developed, critically reflected and discussed. This place should be accessible to all people equally and without fear of discrimination, and it is important to us that all situations of research and exchange are characterised by a non-discriminatory atmosphere and and by respectful interaction with one another.
With the Code of Conduct, we therefore provide ourselves with a common and binding framework for action. The actions of our school should not only comply with legal requirements or the standards of good scientific practice, but also follow ethical standards.

Code of Conduct

We all – doctoral students, supervisors and non-academic staff – share responsibility for ensuring a respectful, non-discriminatory atmosphere for study and work. Discrimination and disparagement based on gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, impairment and/or disability, physical appearance, age, culture of origin, skin colour, religious affiliation or worldview will not be tolerated in our doctoral school.

Behaviours such as the following are incompatible with a culture of respect:

• Comments that employ pejorative stereotyping and are aimed at disparaging social groups – for example, racist, sexist, derogatory or homophobic remarks
• An inappropriate style of communication on- and offline – for example, remarks that are unsolicited, inappropriate, offensive, hostile, humiliatingor intimidating and that violate a person’s dignity
• Repeated interruption of discussion or deliberate disruption of a course
• Repeated harassment or deliberate avoidance of contact
• Suggestive remarks and jokes, objectifying glances, derogatory anecdotes, sexist remarks about another person’s appearance, behaviour or personal life
• Transgressive behaviour andtransgressive physical contact

These rules of conduct are binding for all members of the VDTR – doctoral students, supervisors and non-academic staff. Staff members can be held responsible for discriminatory behaviour under employment or disciplinary law, and doctoral students can be banned from the premises or, in the case of “persistent or serious endangerment”, expelled from the university.

The Code of Conduct of the VDTR supplements the Code of Conduct of the University of Vienna, the Code of Good Practice of Doctoral Schools and contributes to ensuring that doctoral students, supervisors and non-academic staff can work together productively in a constructive and respectful culture of encounter.