For more detailed information, please change to the German version of this website.

The Berlin University of the Arts (UdK Berlin) Code of Conduct

20th June 2024

The Berlin University of the Arts (UdK Berlin) commits to the following principles: As a group, the employees, teaching staff, and students of the UdK Berlin (in short: members) will work to create a positive, integrative and discrimination-sensitive learning and working atmosphere. The Code of Conduct is considered a statement of intent for everyone, including external service providers and guests, and a call to all university community members to continually review their actions. In particular, the members of UdK Berlin who have educational, qualification-related and management roles are aware that in their respective areas of responsibility and due to their duty of care, the misuse of power, transgressive behavior, and discrimination shall not be tolerated. This Code of Conduct provides information on both the expected modes of behavior and the behavior that is deemed unacceptable

1. Respectful Cooperation and Communication

Freedom of expression is an important component of the university culture at UdK Berlin.

Language influences patterns of thought and action. At the same time, it has the potential power to cause exclusions. Each member of UdK Berlin shall reflect upon this fact, take it into consideration, and use language to avoid exclusion.

In all situations, the university community members shall treat each other with respect and esteem. Transgressive behavior will not be tolerated. Any person affected by this kind of behavior is encouraged to report the incident to one of the responsible UdK contact points listed under no. 6.

In cases of discrimination, the contact points assume the perspective of the affected person. They check the incident, uphold confidentiality, advise, and provide information in order to support the person’s autonomy and empowerment.

In conflict situations in particular, the discussion shall be based on facts and solution-oriented in order to facilitate mutual understanding and transform the conflict before it leads to long-term problems. To clarify such situations, in addition to active listening and empathetic action, a meeting or, if necessary, (external) mediation or coaching is recommended.

All forms of collaboration require communication that formulates constructive criticism fairly and non-violently, in a spirit of cooperation and regardless of status or group affiliation. Insults, threats, verbal abuse and comments that damage the reputation of others will not be tolerated.

We aspire to communication and decision-making processes that are transparent and plausible on all levels.

The principles detailed above also apply to digital communication.

2. Teaching and Studies

Some teaching and learning formats at a university of the arts are characterized by specific hierarchies and relationships of trust, and these formats require special attention.

The members and guests of UdK Berlin intend to help shape a work and study environment that prioritizes the protection of personal rights and mutual respect. The relation between physical and emotional closeness/distance in research, artistic practice, teaching and administration shall be continually reflected upon. Teaching will take place in rooms of the university or public rooms and not in private rooms or in rooms that cannot be classified as part of the university's infrastructure .

Any form of power abuse, including harassment, mobbing and any other type of unethical behavior, shall not be accepted and resolute action will be taken to counter such misuse. Misuse of power is understood to mean the inappropriate exercise of influence, authority or control with the goal of causing injury or damage to others or oppressing or discriminating against them.

The teachers and employees of UdK Berlin shall protect students as a group in need of particular protection against the misuse of power, sexual harassment and all forms of violence.

Unreflected and inappropriate communication can cross personal boundaries and have a discriminatory effect. A fair, respectful feedback culture is the objective of the various teaching formats. Advanced training and workshops around diversity, awareness-raising of all forms of discrimination and communication are offered to the university community at regular intervals and should be taken advantage of.

The members of UdK Berlin are committed to ​​the appropriate distribution of tasks in courses of study, in teaching and in university administration. In particular, the “invisible work” at the university, which often takes place in the background, and includes care work, organizational tasks and emotional labor, is taken into consideration here. All members of the university are urged to actively participate in these tasks and ensure that the various forms of work are considered to be equivalent.

3. Diversity, Anti-Discrimination and Equality

The members of UdK Berlin understand “diversity” as a lived experience. It is considered to be an enrichment that enhances artistic and academic excellence.

Cultural diversity is respected and valued. The university community shall strive to avoid appropriating, imitating or using cultural elements outside of their context without appropriate recognition, respect, and understanding of their significance and origins

The dignity of every person shall always be respected and protected, regardless of gender, ethnic origin, racist or anti-Semitic attribution, religion, world view, physical or mental impairment, neurological diversity, chronic illness, age, language, sexual and gender identity and social status.

Discrimination perceived by individuals shall be taken seriously. In other words, it will be respected that discrimination exists for a person if they feel discriminated against or offended by a statement or behavior.

The members of UdK Berlin shall strive to create an inclusive environment in order to enable self-determined participation and equal treatment. Physical, technical and social barriers shall be dismantled in order to enable unrestricted access to education and resources for all members of the university community and their guests.

All types of discrimination should be strongly opposed.

As part of appointment and personnel recruitment procedures as well as for applications for admission to study programs, the members of UdK Berlin involved in research, teaching and administration shall actively address suitable applicants while taking various dimensions of diversity into consideration and inform them about suitable vacancies in order to contribute to the implementation of the university's equality and diversity goals.

4. Scholarship and Artistic Practice

Artistic freedom and the freedom of research are fundamental principles in both scholarship and artistic practice. The pursuit of continuous development in the arts and sciences shall be realized in a working environment that fundamentally upholds and supports the freedom of the arts and sciences in teaching and research at all levels of human interaction. This environment shall be characterized by an open culture of debate that is based on factual arguments and mutual respect. At the same time an institutional climate in which everyone can express themselves without fear of social or professional consequences shall be supported.

Honesty and integrity are recognized as fundamental principles of science. Our actions will follow the rules of good academic practice.

Teachers will support students and researchers in their development and respect their artistic and scholarly autonomy. Teaching is understood as learning together in dialogue.

Potential students, students, artists and researchers who can no longer live and conduct research in their country of origin due to their origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation or because of their political view shall be supported wherever possible.

5. Sustainability

The looming climate catastrophe is a threat to all life. The members of UdK Berlin shall deal with the environment responsibly. The Climate Charter of UdK Berlin was created to support this by encouraging the university community to disseminate its principles and live according to them.

6. Procedure in conflict situations

In cases of discrimination or or transgressive behavior, UdK Berlin offers to those affected the following options for support, counseling, establishingcontact or submitting complaints:

Outlook 

This Code of Conduct will be reviewed every two years and updated by an editorial team composed of representatives from all status groups. All colleges and institutes are urged to find a way to disseminate the contents of the Code of Conduct or integrate it into their teaching and learning situations in concrete terms.

Legals

Legal guidelines of the Berlin University of the Arts:

Legal guidelines of the State of Berlin:

Legal guidelines Germany-wide:

Download

The Code of Conduct of the UdK Berlin can be downloaded here.

 

This entry was updated on 1 November 2024