Checklist for initial discussions at the start of the doctorate – Gutenberg Graduate School of the Humanities and Social Sciences

Have the formal requirements for acceptance as a doctoral candidate in the respective subject been met? If not, what steps still need to be taken (e.g. recognition of foreign certificates, catching up on language skills…)?
For interdisciplinary projects: Which subject-specific localization makes the most sense for the project?
Is a monographic or cumulative thesis planned? In which language should the thesis be written?
Are you planning to enrol as a doctoral student? Which advisory/qualification/support services that are only available to enrolled doctoral students are relevant for the project? (Note: enrolment as a doctoral student is recommended by the GSHS for all doctoral candidates).

What goals are associated with the doctorate (e.g. academic career, professional activity in the cultural or educational sector)? Are the general conditions suitable (funding, time planning)? In a trusting supervisory relationship, you can also address special personal factors that are important for the doctorate (e.g. care responsibilities).
How concrete and goal-oriented are the plans for the doctoral project (topic, problem, methodology, necessary material)? What still needs to be worked on (e.g. to acquire doctoral funding) and what timeframe is reasonable for this?
What duration for the doctorate can be expected under the given conditions?
What other language and methodological skills should be acquired?
Which aspects of research ethics and good research practice as well as copyright, data protection and personal rights may be of particular relevance to the project? Are there specific requirements with regard to open science and/or research data management? Who can advise on further questions (e.g. Academic Integrity Competence Center, Research Data Experts)?

Which financing options for living expenses are planned? To what extent can the supervisor provide support in obtaining funding? How can any waiting times be bridged until funding is obtained?
Which material costs may be incurred as part of the planned research project (e.g. stays abroad, field research, publication costs) and which financing options can be considered?
What resources of the chair/working group can the doctoral candidate use (e.g. workplace, research assistants (Hilfskräfte in German), laboratories/equipment)?
If funded through employment in the supervisor’s work unit (academic staff member (Wissenschaftliche Mitarbeiter:innen in German) or research assistant activity):
- What duties are associated with the position (e.g. research, teaching, student advice, administration, events…)?
- Is there an opportunity to do a doctorate during working hours? How much working time can be used for this on average?
- On which legal provisions is a possible time limit based? Which regulations for minimum and maximum fixed-term periods apply?
- Is the planned time limit likely to be sufficient to complete the doctorate?

Could a second supervisor or additional mentoring be useful? If so, how should the collaboration between the supervisors be organized? (This cannot always be foreseen at the beginning of the doctorate and can be taken up again at a later stage if necessary).
How should the agreements and results of the support meetings be recorded (e.g. short written note after the meeting)?
To what extent can the supervisor support networking within the academic community? Which contacts and networks can be helpful (e.g. practical contacts, functions in societies, contributions to scholarly journals, contact to academics and universities abroad…)?