Good Scientific Practice and Quality Assurance

The task of the Scientific Directorate is to implement the seminars and workshops division's designated purpose in a scientific and subject-matter capacity. It convenes twice a year to establish the research and event program and ensure the quality of its offerings. Of course, for its review and deliberation process, these guiding principles also apply.

Members of the Scientific Directorate are the Scientific Director and as many scientific experts as necessary and appropriate for the competent evaluation of important computer science fields. Members are appointed for a three year term with the possibility to be reappointed at most twice. They are appointed by the Supervisory Board following a joint proposal by the Scientific Director and the Scientific Advisory Board. Proposals for appointment are collated by the Scientific Director in collaboration with the Scientific Advisory Board based on proposals from the shareholders, the Scientific Directorate, and the Scientific Advisory Board. The current composition of the Scientific Directorate is listed on the LZI's website, see https://www.dagstuhl.de/institute/committees/details/sd.

Participants of Dagstuhl Seminars and Dagstuhl Perspectives Workshops are invited by Schloss Dagstuhl’s Scientific Director upon suggestion of the organizers. Keeping the goals of equal opportunities and a balanced group composition in mind, Dagstuhl's Scientific Staff checks the suggestions in advance and works towards a balanced proportion of female participants (with regards to what would be expected), internationality and inclusion of scientists from different world-regions, as well as diversity in the participants with regard to their affiliations. In the case of Dagstuhl Seminars, the Scientific Staff also aims for a sufficient proportion of junior scientists.

The program and the topics of the Dagstuhl Seminars are communicated via the LZI's website. Space permitting, junior research scientists can apply for participation; the application is decided upon by the Scientific Director if the Seminar's organizers do not object to the applicant.

For GI-Dagstuhl Seminars and summer schools, which primarily aim at transfer of knowledge to junior scientists, as well as for research group meetings and similar events, the respective event’s organizers decide who can participate.

For long-term quality assurance we provide multiple feedback mechanisms. For Dagstuhl Seminar and Dagstuhl Perspectives Workshops, these include the scientific staff members’ visits with the organizers each week as well as electronic and paper surveys for all participants that are also are used to support, accompany, and evaluate significant changes at Schloss Dagstuhl. Furthermore, the LZI monitors and possibly replies to feedback on social media like twitter.