• When was the last supervisor meeting? Were the agreements from the last meeting put into practice by both parties? Are any adjustments to the working method needed?
• Has the doctoral candidate encountered difficulties in fulfilling the agreed objectives? What action might be taken to solve the problem?
• How is the doctoral candidate coping with time and work schedule? (For cumulative doctorates: the schedule for planned publications)
• Are there any ethical and/or legal questions regarding the publication of the material used or good research practice in general? (This also applies in particular to the use of previously published texts or texts used for other qualification work for the thesis, see the subject-specific regulations and procedures governing the doctorate). Who can help with questions (e.g. Academic Integrity Competence Center (in German), Research Data Experts)?
• Are workshops/participation in conferences/publications/stays abroad/other projects planned for the near future? What preparations are required for this, and has funding been secured?
• Current status of doctoral funding:
  • Deadlines for applying for doctoral funding (position/scholarship) or a necessary extension
  • Is the current funding sufficient to ensure completion of the doctoral thesis? If not, what alternative funding options could be considered?
  • What additional research costs are involved and what funding opportunities are available? Which advisory/qualification/funding opportunities may only be available under certain conditions (e.g. Enrolment as a doctoral student?) (Please note: Enrolment as a doctoral student is recommended by the GSHS for all doctoral candidates)
  • For doctoral positions: Is the relationship between work on the doctoral dissertation and other official duties deemed appropriate by both parties? Are there possible conflicts of objectives/resources?
    In the case of an academic staff member, the annual interview (in German) can be a useful addition to the supervision meetings and agreement.

• If a second supervisor has been agreed as part of the team: how does the cooperation with the first supervisor work?
• Are the provisions of the supervision agreement still considered suitable or might changes make sense?
• When should the next meeting take place? What interim goals are to be pursued until then?
• By what point is feedback expected from the supervisor on the submitted texts (e.g. for a publication/conference participation)?

Especially recommended for advanced doctoral candidates (approx. in the last year of the doctorate):

• What are the deadlines and dates for a successful final phase of the doctorate, including oral defence?
• What sorts of career opportunities are possible after the doctorate? What measures can be taken now to prepare for further professional development after the doctorate? What possible alternatives are there if the preferred career goal is not achievable in the short term?
• If not yet decided: Who can be considered as second examiner for the evaluation of the doctoral performance?
• For a monographic doctoral thesis: How should the thesis be published? Are there any funding options?