Information on data protection

• The promotion of early career researchers is one of the strategic principles of UZH. According to § 4 of the University Act («UniG» – currently only available in German), UZH is required to ensure quality in research and teaching.
• The pilot project «Quality Assurance of PhD Supervision» contributes to a closed quality cycle in doctoral supervision by introducing a standardized feedback mechanism.
• Data is collected, evaluated, and communicated following the applicable data protection regulations of the Canton of Zurich and UZH. Technical and organizational security measures are implemented to protect the data.

More detailed information can be found in the privacy policy (PDF, 136 KB).

1. Purpose of data collection: The collection of general and personal survey data aims to ensure and develop the quality of supervision and the framework conditions of the doctorate.
2. Data collection: The data collected includes information on doctoral candidates and supervisors, supervision, and the framework conditions of the doctorate. The data is collected using the evasys survey and evaluation software and is technically embedded in the Teaching and Learning Quality Portal (QM Portal) of the Educational Development Office.
3. Data evaluation: The data evaluation is used for internal quality processes at UZH. The data is pseudonymized and evaluated in aggregated form. Personal data will only be used if the minimum threshold of ten responses per supervisor is reached or the moratorium period of five years has expired. 
4. Data storage: The data is stored in encrypted form on UZH servers and is only accessible to authorized persons. Data management is the responsibility of the Graduate Campus.
5. Data forwarding: Data is forwarded to the relevant user groups on a need-to-know basis and only in aggregated form.
6. Security measures: Technical and organizational measures are implemented to protect the data.

• Neutrality of the survey: Participation in the survey should not have any direct impact on the relationship with supervisors or superiors.

• Administration and evaluation: Graduate Campus is responsible for the administration and evaluation of the data.

• No direct data access for supervisors: Supervisors do not have access to the survey data at any time.
• Aggregation of feedback: Feedback from doctoral candidates is aggregated to preserve their anonymity and to prevent individual feedback from being traced.
• No disclosure of personal data: No personal data of participating doctoral students will be passed on.
• Protection against identification: The data protection measures mentioned serve to protect against the identification of the doctoral students surveyed.

• Neutrality of the survey: Participation in the survey should not have any direct impact on the relationship with the supervised doctoral candidates. The feedback is collected and considered fairly and impartially.
• Administration and evaluation: The administration and evaluation of the data are managed by Graduate Campus.
• Role-based authorization concept: A role-based authorization concept for data access is implemented to ensure that only authorized persons have access to the data.
• Pseudonymization of data: The personal data of supervisors is pseudonymized after collection to preserve their anonymity. Personal data will only be used if the minimum threshold of ten responses per supervisor is reached or the moratorium period of five years has expired.


• Aggregation of the feedback: The feedback from doctoral candidates is aggregated and only evaluated once there is a sufficient data basis for the respective aggregate level. This minimizes individual distortions.
• Protection against identification and individual bias: The data protection measures mentioned serve to protect against identification as well as individual bias.