The University of Groningen offers a number of mechanisms that enable PhD students to raise issues or lodge complaints. Of relevance here is the GRIN, PhD Councils, Confidential Advisors, PhD Counsellors, Occupational Health and Safety Service, and the Ombudsperson.

• PhD Councils: PhD Councils are parts of Graduate Schools to bring systemic issues to the attention of the University, both within and, where appropriate, outside the Faculty. Should you as a PhD Student have an issue or complaint that you believe may be systemic, you can always reach out to your PhD Council.

• The GRIN: The GRIN is here for your complaints regarding your PhD trajectory. You can always contact us for your problems, complaints, and questions.

• Confidential Advisor: You can approach the confidential adviser to discuss personal problems, problems in your research or about your career choices. Every Faculty has their own confidential advisors.

• Confidential Advisor of the University: If you need to talk to a confidential advisor outside of your Faculty, you can get in touch with the University confidential advisor. You can reach out the confidential advisors if there is bullying, discrimination or (sexual) harassment, if you are wrongly accused of something, if you are witness of or you suspect malpractices within the organisation, or if you are involved in a work-related conflict.

  Drs. Marjolein Renker, m.h.j.renker@rug.nl

  Petra de Jong, petra.de.jong@rug.nl

  Dr. E.J.K. (Stella) Noach, e.j.k.noach@umcg.nl (for UMCG)

• PhD Counsellors: For PhD related issues can be directed to the PhD Counsellor, however, not every Faculty has a PhD Counsellor.

  • Y. (Yvonne) Folkers, Faculty of Science and Engineering

  • Dr. E.J.K. (Stella) Noach, Faculty of Medical Sciences

• Occupational Health and Safety Service (AMD): Issues, such as stress, feeling insecure, procrastination, working too many hours, work pressure, burnout, problems with your supervisor, problems to connect with colleagues (also due to cultural differences), questions about your career, uncertainty about your job, thinking about quitting your PhD, private problems that affect work, such as relationship problems or debt problems, reintegration after prolonged absence due to illness, feeling lonely, feeling depressed, or any other problem that hinders you in functioning properly can be discussed with the right counsellor or psychologist.

          There can be several reasons why you might be unable to work for a longer period of time: enduring illness, stress related problems (burnout), family circumstances or problems in your working environment for example. If you are unable to work for a longer period of time or feel that you soon will be, you can go to the Occupational Health and Safety Service ( AMD ). Counselling is offered by occupational physicians and occupational social workers.

• Student Service Centre (SSC): You can contact the SSC if you have problems with personal effectiveness, communication or assertiveness, psychological and/or physical stress complaints, brooding, listlessness, insomnia, depression or mood problems, feeling fearful or tense, concentration or motivational problems.

• Diversity and Inclusion Officers: A number of UG faculties have their own faculty diversity and inclusion representatives. Their tasks are to assess the state of diversity and inclusion in their own faculties, to determine what has to be tackled within faculties themselves or at a central level, and to learn from one another.

• Human Resources ( HR Experts): You can contact to HR if you have any questions about the job and your own functioning, doubts about going on with your PhD, or questions about your future career (inside and outside academia).

• Ombudsperson: The purpose of this new position is to identify and investigate undesirable patterns of behaviour that have a negative impact on a healthy and safe learning and working environment. If you, as a staff member, experience a problem and do not know where to turn with it, then you can contact Carolijn Winnubst.

For further information please check also

the University’s website on PhD support.

You can also check the “Mental health during your PhD” poster.