Ombudspersons
Our team of ombudspersons is available to assist with situations such as the following:
- You have been discriminated against and need support.
- You want to report a case of discrimination (anonymously).
- You are looking for an exchange in a safe environment in order to be clear about how you should deal with a stressful situation you have experienced.
Our principles are independence, confidentiality, neutrality, and respect. To contact the ombudspersons, you can contact the individual persons directly via e-mail addresses mentioned below or write to all of them at the same time: physics-ombudspersons[at]uni-koeln.de.
If you wish to contact them anonymously, you can use a neutral e-mail address e.g. example@gmail.com.
Lucie Hamdan
Lucie Hamdan has been employed as a technical staff member at the University of Cologne’s Second Institute of Physics since 2000 and is a chemical technician by profession. As one of several ombudspersons in the physics department, she aims to serve as a point of contact for students and staff. She is also happy to receive questions and suggestions regarding diversity and discrimination, and seeks to promote a culture of fairness. Upon request, information about specific counseling services offered by the University of Cologne is provided. Our principles are independence, confidentiality, neutrality, and respect.
Email: hamdan[at]ph2.uni-koeln.de
Maria Melamed
Maria Melamed is currently doing her PhD in astrophysics, but has been active at the University of Cologne and in the Student Council since her Bachelor’s degree. There, she has been particularly committed to equality issues for years, both in her role as the equality officer and as a member of Team Obelix, as well as with the BCGS. Outside of physics, Maria works in the field of political education and is therefore also knowledgeable about other issues related to discrimination. That is why she is also very committed to anti-discrimination efforts within the physics department and is available to speak with physicists about these issues in English or German.
Email: mmelame1[at]smail.uni-koeln.de
Prachi Misra
Prachi Misra is a PhD student at the I. Physics Institute and has also completed her Master’s degree in Physics at the University of Cologne. Since 2022, she has been conducting research in the group of Prof. Schlemmer. In addition to her academic work, she has been actively engaged in student representation, serving as the second speaker of the student council of SFB-1601, where she has consistently advocated for student concerns. As an international student at the University, she brings personal insight into the challenges related to diversity, discrimination, and inclusion within the academic environment. She is available to provide guidance and support in English and Hindi. In her role as an ombudsperson, she is guided by the principles of confidentiality, empathy, and neutral mediation.
Email: misra[at]ph1.uni-koeln.de
Yoko Okada
Yoko Okada has been working as a postdoc at the First Institute of Physics (Astrophysics) since 2009. Having served on the Gender Board of the now-concluded SFB956 since 2021, she is now a member of the Diversity Board of SFB1601 and is working to raise awareness of gender issues. As an ombudsperson, she aims to help improve fairness in our work environment, which is important for everyone. Her primary language of communication is English (or Japanese), but she would be happy to communicate in German if someone prefers it, although she may need to ask for a little patience in that case.
Email: okada[at]ph1.uni-koeln.de
Further contact points at the University of Cologne
- Contact persons at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences
- Anti-discrimination portal at the UoC
- Counseling and complaint channels in the event of discrimination at the University of Cologne
- Central Office for Protection against Discrimination and Abuse of Power
- Counselling centres at the University in the areas of diversity and equal opportunities