Doctoral boards

The doctoral boards is the governing body of the doctoral program and oversees the content and course of doctoral training at the Faculty of Psychology. The doctoral boards pass three members of Group I of the Faculty of Psychology (Dean of Studies, Dean of Research and one other faculty member from Group I).

PhD Committee

The PhD Committee is made up of the supervisors of the respective PhD students. At the request of the first supervisor and the doctoral student, the doctoral boards determines the composition of the PhD Committee. One of the two supervisors of the dissertation must be a member of Group I of the Faculty. If this is guaranteed, holders of assistant professorships without tenure track or of titular professorships or private lecturers working at the Faculty may accompany doctorates either as first or second supervisors. Upon application to the doctoral boards, non-faculty members of Group I or Group II may also be admitted as first or second supervisors. Upon application to the doctoral boards, qualified experts from outside the University of Basel may also supervise doctorates as second supervisors. In the case of non-faculty supervisors, the doctoral board expects the supervisor to have qualifications equivalent to a habilitation. Further information on the composition of the PhD Committee can be found in the doctoral study regulations of the Faculty of Psychology. The PhD Committee supervises and accompanies the completion of the dissertation.

Doctoral agreement

A doctoral agreement is concluded between the PhD students and the first supervisor or the PhD Committee within the first semester after commencement of the doctorate. The doctoral agreement includes a concept and timetable for the dissertation, any additional requirements, the framework and the planned use of the educational offer (number of credits) as an individual study program. Furthermore, regular meetings are recommended in which the progress of the doctorate is explicitly discussed in accordance with the doctoral agreement. If significant changes occur during this process, the doctoral agreement must be updated.

Doctoral student survey

The PhD student survey is usually conducted every two years and surveys the satisfaction of PhD students at the Faculty of Psychology. The central topics include the motivation for taking up a doctorate, the expectations of PhD students, questions about everyday research and the research environment or the supervision situation.

The doctoral student survey is conducted by the Graduate Center in collaboration with the Quality Development team and organized in coordination with the faculty. The faculty is given access to the anonymized results, which it evaluates and uses to derive targeted measures.

Key doctorate figures

Every year, the faculty examines the most important developments using suitable key figures on doctoral studies (e.g. origin of PhD students, duration of studies, dropout rate, etc.).

Scientific Advisory Board

The doctoral level is reviewed by the Scientific Advisory Board at least every four years. It uses the results of the doctoral student surveys and the key figures on doctoral studies as a basis for this. In addition, the Scientific Advisory Board conducts a site visit to interview PhD students and the managers responsible for the doctoral level. The results, including any recommendations for action, are recorded in the Scientific Advisory Board's final report.

Results

The results of the doctoral student surveys and the key figures on doctoral studies are used by the GSP. The results of the Scientific Advisory Board's report are used by the Faculty Assembly. These boards communicate the results and the measures decided upon.

In addition, the results are discussed every one or two years in regular progress meetings between the faculty heads and the Vice President for Research and measures are agreed.

Finally, the results of all doctoral student surveys of all faculties and departments are discussed once a year in the Doctoral Committees, in which PhD students are also represented.

The entire quality management process of the faculty is supported centrally by the Graduate Center and the Quality Development team.

Graduate School of Psychology (GSP)

The executive board of the Graduate School of Psychology (GSP) is responsible for coordinating the structured doctoral programs at the faculty and the events they offer. In addition, the GSP contributes to the quality assurance of the programs and thus ensures their academic standards and further development.