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Committees at the Department of Geography

At the Department of Geography, most decisions - like at many other universities - are made within self-governing committees, in which the university’s status groups (professors, academic as well as technical and administrative staff, and students) participate. The work of these committees is based on the Hessian Higher Education Act (HHG), the Basic Regulations of Marburg University, and the Rules of Procedure for the Committees of Marburg University. In addition to these committees, the Department of Geography has other boards and commissions that focus on specific tasks related to university self-governance.

• Inhalt ausklappen Inhalt einklappen Faculty Council (from Winter Semester 2024/25 until the end of Summer Semester 2026)

  Responsibilities of the Faculty Council

  Information on the responsibilities of the Faculty Council can be found in the Hessian Higher Education Act (§ 44) as well as in the Basic Regulations of Marburg University (§15 and §16). 

  Representatives in the Faculty Council

  Group of Professors

  Prof. Dr. Peter Chifflard (Dean)
  Prof. Dr. Markus Hassler (Deputy Dean)
  Prof. Dr. Maaike Bader
  Prof. Dr. Sören Becker
  Prof. Dr. Jörg Bendix
  Prof. Dr. Dr. Thomas Brenner
  Prof. Dr. Carina Peter
  Prof. Dr. Simone Strambach
  Dr. Dirk Zeuss (Deputy Professor / Substitute)
  

  Group of Research and Teaching Staff

  Dr. Jürgen Kluge
  Dr. Paulina Grigusova
  Dr. Kerstin Bach (Substitute)
  Dr. Lea Heidrich (Substitute)

  Group of Students (until the end of Summer Semester 2026)

  Marieke Lenze
  Linus Wimbes
  David Bücker
  Lunis Zickgraf (Substitute)
  Ruben Braun (Substitute)
  Marc Kevin Schneider (Substitute)

  Group of Technical and Administrative Staff

  Nils Jansen
  Dorothee Blöcher (Substitute)

• Inhalt ausklappen Inhalt einklappen Faculty Election Committee (from Summer Semester 2024)

  Group of Professors

  Prof. Dr. Jörg Bendix
  Prof. Dr. Simone Strambach (Substitute)

  Group of Research and Teaching Staff

  Dr. Boris Thies (Chair)
  apl. Prof. Dr. Stefan Harnischmacher (Substitute)

  Group of Students (from Winter Semester 2025/26)

  Marlene Matthiessen
  Ruben Maria Braun (Substitute)

  Group of Technical and Administrative Staff

  Cordula Mann
  Birgit Kühne-Bialozyt (Substitute)

• Inhalt ausklappen Inhalt einklappen Examination Board for Geography (Bachelor/Master/Geology) (from Summer Semester 2022)

  Group of Professors

  Prof. Dr. Simone Strambach (Chair)
  Prof. Dr. Peter Chifflard
  Prof. Dr. Markus Hassler
  Prof. Dr. Maaike Bader (Substitute)
  Prof. Dr. Jörg Bendix (Substitute)
  Prof. Dr. Dr. Thomas Brenner (Stellv.)

  Group of Research and Teaching Staff

  Alicia Knauft
  PD Dr. Julian Schwabe (Substitute)

  Group of Students (from Winter Semester 2025/26)

  Fabian Uhlich
  Luis Zickgraf (Substitute)

• Inhalt ausklappen Inhalt einklappen Examination Board for Teacher Education (from Summer Semester 2022)

  Group of Professors

  Prof. Dr. Carina Peter (Chair)
  Prof. Dr. Markus Hassler
  Prof. Dr. Peter Chifflard
  Prof. Dr. Dr. Thomas Brenner (Substitute)
  Prof. Dr. Michaela Paal (Substitute)
  Prof. Dr. Jörg Bendix (Substitute)

  Group of Research and Teaching Staff

  Laura Rink
  apl. Prof. Dr. Stefan Harnischmacher (Substitute)

  Group of Students (from Winter Semester 2024/25)

  Tom Yousef
  David Rolf Bücker (Substitute)

• Inhalt ausklappen Inhalt einklappen Doctoral Committee (from Summer Semester 2022)

  Responsibilities of the Doctoral Committee

  All important information regarding the Doctoral Committee can be found in the Doctoral Regulations.

  Representatives on the Doctoral Committee

  Group of Professors

  Prof. Dr. Jörg Bendix (Chair)
  Prof. Dr. Peter Chifflard (Vice Chair / Dean)
  Prof. Dr. Dr. Thomas Brenner
  Prof. Dr. Simone Strambach
  Prof. Dr. Sören Becker (Substitute)
  Prof. Dr. Markus Hassler (Substitute / Deputy Dean)
  Prof. Dr. Carina Peter (Stubstitute)
  Prof. Dr. Maaike Bader (Substitute)

  Group of Research and Teaching Staff

  Dr. Boris Thies
  Dr. Ansgar Dorenkamp (Substitute)

  Group of Doctoral Students

  Felix Schmidt
  Ann-Kathrin Wild (Substitute)

• Inhalt ausklappen Inhalt einklappen Study Commission

  Responsibilities of the Study Commission

  The commission advises on and decides the allocation of funds for the quality of study conditions and teaching (QSL) at the Department of Geography.

  Representatives on the Study Commission

  Chair

  Dr. Ansgar Dorenkamp (Dean of Studies)

  Group of Professors

  Prof. Dr. Peter Chifflard (Dean)
  Prof. Dr. Markus Hassler (Deputy Dean)

  Group of Research and Teaching Staff

  Dr. Kerstin Bach
  apl. Prof. Dr. Stefan Harnischmacher (Substitute)

  Group of Technical and Administrative Staff

  Christiane Enderle
  Kerstin Hill (Substitute)

  Group of Students (from Winter Semester 2025/26)

  Lilith Werner
  Ruben Maria Braun
  Johanna Jung
  Marc Kevin Schneider
  Tineke Uennigmann (Substitute)
  Arne Koscharre (Substitute)
  Fabian Uhlich (Substitute)
  Milena Kirchberger (Substitute)

• Inhalt ausklappen Inhalt einklappen Study Committee (from Summer Semester 2023)

  Responsibilities of the Study Committee

  The Study Committee develops proposals for the Deanery regarding the planning and implementation of the course offerings, the allocation of courses among the department’s teaching staff, and the provision of academic advising. It prepares the study plans for the respective study programs and the department’s teaching report. The committee also drafts proposals for study and examination regulations.

  The Study Committee consists of three members from the group of professors, three students, and one research and teaching staff member; at a university of applied sciences, the academic staff member may be replaced by a student. Members are elected by their respective group in the Faculty Council. The chair of the Study Committee is the Dean of Studies, whose vote decides in the event of a tie. Up to two members of the Student Council may serve on the committee in an advisory capacity; they are appointed by the Student Council.

  Representatives on the Study Committee

  Chair

  Dr. Ansgar Dorenkamp (Dean of Studies))

  Group of Professors

  Prof. Dr. Dr. Thomas Brenner
  Prof. Dr. Jörg Bendix
  Prof. Dr. Simone Strambach
  Prof. Dr. Michaela Paal (Substitute)
  Prof. Dr. Sören Becker (Substitute)
  Prof. Dr. Markus Hassler (Substitute)

  Group of Research and Teaching Staff

  Dr. Jürgen Kluge
  apl. Prof. Dr. Stefan Harnischmacher (Substitute)

  Group of Students (from Winter Semester 2025/26)

  Tineke Uennigmann
  Marc Kevin Schneider
  Luis Zickgraf
  Fabian Uhlich (Substitute)
  Marieke Lenze (Substitute)
  Johanna Jung (Substitute)

• Inhalt ausklappen Inhalt einklappen Equality Commission

  Responsibilities of the Equality Commission

  The Equality Commission deals with all aspects of gender equality and develops corresponding concepts and measures. It also prepares the department’s Gender Equality Plan and monitors the implementation of these measures. Furthermore, it develops needs- and implementation-oriented measures to improve the compatibility of study/work and family life.

  Representatives on the Equality Commission

  Group of Professors

  Prof. Dr. Michaela Paal
  Prof. Dr. Simone Strambach (Substitute)

  Group of Research and Teaching Staff

  Dr. Lea Heidrich
  Noah Just (Substitute)

  Group of Technical and Administrative Staff

  Cordula Mann
  Nils Jansen (Substitute)

  Group of Students (from Winter Semester 2025/26)

  Marlene Matthiessen
  Marieke Lenze (Substitute)

• Inhalt ausklappen Inhalt einklappen Department Tenure-Track Committee (from Summer Semester 2023)

  Responsibilities of the Department Tenure-Track Committee

  The permanent Tenure-Track Committee is chaired by the Dean. It serves as the procedural authority for tenure-track processes within the department and provides advisory and supportive functions. The committee develops recommendations for the Faculty Council and the central Tenure-Track Committee.

  Representatives on the Department Tenure-Track Committee

  Chair

  Prof. Dr. Peter Chifflard (Dean)

  Group of Professors

  Prof. Dr. Maaike Bader
  Prof. Dr. Markus Hassler
  Dr. Dirk Zeuss (Deputy Professor)
  Prof. Dr. Jörg Bendix (Substitute)
  Prof. Dr. Dr. Thomas Brenner (Substitute)
  Prof. Dr. Carina Peter (Substitute)

  Group of Research and Teaching Staff

  Dr. Ansgar Dorenkamp
  apl. Prof. Dr. Stefan Harnischmacher (Substitute)

  Group of Students (from Winter Semester 2025/26)

  Marc Kevin Schneider
  Fabian Uhlich (Substitute)

• Inhalt ausklappen Inhalt einklappen Ethics Committee (from Winter Semester 2025/26)

  The Ethics Committee of the Department of Geography is an independent body that, upon request, reviews and assesses the ethical and data protection compliance of research projects, usually before they are carried out.
  All important information about the Ethics Committee and its responsibilities can be found in its statutes.

  Group of Professors

  Prof. Dr. Sören Becker (Chair)
  Prof. Dr. Dr. Thomas Brenner (Vice Chair)
  Prof. Dr. Maaike Bader
  Prof. Dr. Markus Hassler
  Prof. Dr. Antje Röder (Department 03)

  Group of Research and Teaching Staff

  Dr. Kerstin Bach
  PD Dr. Julian Schwabe

  Group of Technical and Administrative Staff

  Christiane Enderle

  Group of Students

  Lina Peters
  Marieke Lenze (Substitute)

• Inhalt ausklappen Inhalt einklappen Assessment Committee for Admission – M.Sc. Sustainable Development

  Group of Professors

  Prof. Dr. Sören Becker
  Prof. Dr. Björn Vollan (Department 02)
  Prof. Dr. Simone Strambach (Substitute)
  Prof. Dr. Teresa Dickler (Department 02 / Substitute)

Officers at the Department of Geography

The officers of the Department of Geography are entrusted with specific responsibilities that go beyond academic self-governance. Further information, including the respective contact persons, can be found below.

• Inhalt ausklappen Inhalt einklappen Safety

  Responsibilities

  Ensuring safe working and study conditions is primarily the responsibility of all members of Philipps University. The purpose is to prevent work- and study-related accidents among staff and students, as well as occupational diseases. The organization of occupational safety and environmental protection at Philipps University Marburg is detailed in the Occupational Safety and Environmental Protection Handbook. Responsibilities for occupational safety and environmental protection are, in simplified terms, exercised and delegated along the university’s organizational structure within individual management areas. This is why, for example, deans, heads of independent departmental units, and leaders of units with personnel responsibilities (e.g., research group leaders, such as professors) have duties and responsibilities related to occupational safety and environmental protection.

  The Safety Officer at the Department of Geography supports management in implementing occupational safety measures and serves as the central contact person for all staff and students regarding occupational safety matters, such as:
   →  Conducting and documenting risk assessments, including for pregnant and breastfeeding employees 
   →  Advising on occupational medical check-ups, signing and forwarding registrations for such check-ups
   →  Advising on training as a first aider in the workplace
   →  Providing first aid supplies
   →  Accompanying safety inspections by the Occupational Safety Department of the RP Gießen and by occupational safety specialists
   →  Advising on work and commuting accidents, signing the corresponding accident reports
   →  Organizing inspections of work equipment (ladders, steps, portable electrical devices)                                                                                                                

  The Safety Representative at the Department of Geography has a supportive, observational, and advisory role. Their tasks include, among others:
   →  Monitoring the condition of protective equipment and personal protective gear, as well as ensuring their proper use
   →  Reporting observed safety deficiencies to supervisors and the Safety Officer, advocating for their correction, proposing improvement measures, and ensuring the implementation of these measures
   →  Participating in consultations on safety issues

  Safety Officer

  Dr. Ansgar Dorenkamp

  Safety Representative

  Nils Jansen

  Central Documents and Forms

  https://www.uni-marburg.de/de/universitaet/administration/sicherheit

• Inhalt ausklappen Inhalt einklappen Women and Gender Equality

  Aufgaben

  We are the contact persons for all women working or studying at the department regarding all matters related to the promotion of women and gender equality!

  All women of the Department of Geography are convened at least once a year by the Dean for a general assembly. At this meeting, the Women and Gender Equality Officers present their activities from the past year and provide information on current developments and events. The Women and Gender Equality Officer and her deputy are elected for a term of two years. The student Women and Gender Equality Officer and her deputy are elected for one year.

  In addition, we are available as contacts in cases of gender-based discrimination and sexual harassment. Further advisory services can be found under current information.

  Women and Gender Equality Officers

  Dr. Kerstin Bach 
  Susann Schlesinger (Substitute)

  Student Women and Gender Equality Officers

  N. N.

  ✉ frauenbeauftragte19@geo.uni-marburg.de

  The work of the Women and Gender Equality Officers is supported by the Equality Commission and the University’s Women and Gender Equality Officer.

• Inhalt ausklappen Inhalt einklappen Personnel Data

  Responsibilities

     →  Maintenance of the personnel data directory (LDAP), e.g., updating office hours or other changes

  Personal Data Officer

  Dr. Dietrich Göttlicher
  Kerstin Hill

• Inhalt ausklappen Inhalt einklappen ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System)

  Responsibilities

     →  Advising on, preparing, and verifying the Learning Agreement before and during a student’s study abroad stay
     →  Recognition of academic achievements completed abroad during the course of study, as well as credits from previous studies (see also Preparation and Process of an ERASMUS Stay)

  ECTS Officer

  Dr. Dietrich Göttlicher

• Inhalt ausklappen Inhalt einklappen International Mobility / ERASMUS (European Action Scheme for the Mobility of University Students)

  Responsibilities

     →  Coordination of International Student Exchange at the Department of Geography, including through the European Union’s ERASMUS Program
     →  Advising on questions related to international mobility and study abroad programs
     →  Managing and organizing contractual partnership agreements for student exchanges with international universities

  Officer for International Mobility / ERASMUS

  Prof. Dr. Maaike Bader

  Administration of Applications and Nominations for Student Exchange

  Nils Jansen

• Inhalt ausklappen Inhalt einklappen IT (Information Technology)

  Responsibilities

     →  Assistance with Workplace IT Problems

  IT Officer

  Dipl.-Inf. (FH) Robert Schneider

• Inhalt ausklappen Inhalt einklappen BAföG (Federal Student Financial Aid)

  For the provision of financial support, proof of academic progress is required for the first time after the end of the 4th semester. Bachelor’s students receive the corresponding confirmation if they have completed 78 ECTS credits after the 4th semester. To do this, submit the form completed in the upper section to the Examinations Office of the Department of Geography. For a combined Bachelor’s degree, the BAföG Officer of the main subject issues the certificate of academic progress for the entire program (including minor subjects and MarSkills).

  Teacher training students should submit the form completed in the upper section to Mr. Sebastian Müller (Head of the Central Examinations Office for Teacher Training).

  If you have further questions about BAföG, you can contact the persons listed below at the department.

  BaföG Officer

  Dr. Dietrich Göttlicher
  Dr. Ansgar Dorenkamp (Substitute)

• Inhalt ausklappen Inhalt einklappen EUPeace

  Prof. Dr. Sören Becker

• Inhalt ausklappen Inhalt einklappen Sustainability Officer

  Prof. Dr. Simone Strambach

• Inhalt ausklappen Inhalt einklappen Integrated Campus Management System (iCM)

  Responsibilities

  Marburg University aims to provide students, teaching staff, and employees with optimal conditions in their everyday university life. For this reason, a new IT system for study management is being introduced that brings together all processes within an integrated campus management system (iCM).

  Further information on the implementation of the Integrated Campus Management System:

  • Project website: Integrated Campus Management (iCM)
  • Informationen for students
  • Informationen for Staff and Teaching Staff
  • Office for Integrated Campus Management

  iCM Officer

  Dr. Christoph Reudenbach

Dates at the Department of Geography

• Inhalt ausklappen Inhalt einklappen Schedule (Winter Semester 2025/2026)

  Date	Time	Event
  06.-10.10.2025		Students Orientation Week
  13.10.2025		Start of Lectures
  22.10.2025	13.45	Women’s General Assembly FB19 incl. Election of the Women’s Officer at the Department of Geography
  22.10.2025	16.15	1st Faculty Workshop
  27.10.2025		Study Conference
  29.10.2025	13.30	1st Doctoral Committee Meeting
  29.10.2025	14.15	1st Professors’ Meeting
  29.10.2025	14.15	1st Teaching and Research Staff Meeting
  29.10.2025	16.15	1st Examination Board Meeting
  05.11.2025	14.15	1st Faculty Council Meeting
  06.11.2025	14.15	University Conference
  10.11.2025		University Council
  12.11.2025	14.15	Senate
  19.11.2025		Committee Retreat of Philipps University Marburg
  26.11.2025	14.15	Constituent Meeting of the Ethics Committee
  26.11.2025	16.15	2nd Faculty Workshop
  03.12.2025	13.30	2nd Doctoral Committee Meeting
  03.12.2025	14.15	2nd Professors’ Meeting
  03.12.2025	14.15	2nd Teaching and Research Staff Meeting
  03.12.2025	16.15	2nd Examination Board Meeting
  04.12.2025	14.15	University Conference
  05.12.2025	17.00	Graduation Ceremony incl. Awarding of the Women’s Advancement Prize
  10.12.2025	14.15	2nd Faculty Council Meeting
  10.12.2025	14.15	Senat
  17.12.2025	14.15	Study Commission (formerly QSL Funds Commission)
  17.12.2025	16.00	Christmas Party Department of Geography
  21.01.2026	12.00	Staff Meeting of Technical and Administrative Personnel Department of Geography
  21.01.2026	14.15	Senate
  26.01.2026		Study Conference
  28.01.2026	14.15	3rd Professors’ Meeting
  28.01.2026	14.15	3rd Teaching and Research Staff Meeting
  28.01.2026	16.15	3rd Examination Board Meeting
  04.02.2026	13.30	3rd Doctoral Committee Meeting
  04.02.2026	14.15	3rd Faculty Council Meeting
  04.02.2026	16.15	3rd Faculty Workshop
  09.02.2026		University Council
  12.02.2026	14.15	University Conference
  13.02.2026		End of Lectures
  18.02.2025	14.15	Senate
  25.03.2026	14.15	Senate