The doctoral student ombudsman (DO) works with the general rights and obligations doctoral students have towards the university and ensure that legislation and regulations are followed. At the same time, the DO acts as your personal support based on your unique situation.
The doctoral student ombudsman belongs to the university administration, however it acts as a neutral, non-biased function. This means that the DO does not represent SLU as an employer or public authority. Instead, the DO acts as an independent support function, interlocutor and advisor to doctoral students.
What does the DO do for doctoral students?
As a doctoral student, your situation is unique as often, you are both a student and an employee. The DO can help you should you face challenges, have any questions or experience conflict along the way. This means you will receive individual and tailored support relevant to your situation. As your representative, the DO will assist you with your case, act as interlocutor, help you sort your options and plead your case if you wish.
The DO does not act on behalf of university management in individual cases, instead the DO’s role is to protect the legal rights of doctoral students. All contact will be strictly confidential and bound by professional secrecy.
You can turn to the DO and be confident that you and your case will be managed complete confidentiality and the organisation involved will not be given insight. No action will be taken without your explicit written consent, however, if you wish, the DO may collaborate with other parties, such as trade unions, occupational health services or heads of department to help resolve a problem.
How can the DO help you?
- Individual guidance: Personal and confidential support should you experience problems with your studies, work environment or relationship with your supervisors.
- Rule monitoring and legal certainty Help navigating and interpreting the laws and local regulations that govern your doctoral studies and the possibility to ensure that SLU follows the appropriate regulations relating to processing your case.
- Informal mediation Support for informal exploration of your case and identifying potential constructive ways forward.
- Support with formal processes Guidance during investigations into victimisation or changes to individual study plans (ISP).
- Information and further assistance Help and guidance to find the right support elsewhere if your questions go beyond the scope of the DO’s responsibilities and organisation.
Please be aware that the DO does not have the power to change government decisions, implement sanctions or change university regulations. The DO acts as an advisor and supports reviews.
Strategic support and an SLU-wide resource
The DO is a comprehensive resource and support function to the university in addition to its role providing individual support to doctoral students. The DO supports the PhD Student Council and the Joint Committee of Student Unions at SLU in matters relating to doctoral studies and students and acts as an advisor and reference body for the SLU organisation. DO can also assist in training for supervisors or other staff who will work with doctoral students, with the aim of strengthening the university’s preventive work.