Whether it’s a bachelor’s thesis, a PhD, or an internship, we as students are dependent on our supervisors—not only to guide us but also to evaluate our academic work. Unfortunately, this power imbalance is a daily reality at universities. Students in advanced semesters and PhD candidates often collaborate with their supervisors on research projects. In many cases, these supervisors are not only academic mentors but also direct employers. This dual dependency creates significant potential for abuse. Even personal differences can, in the worst-case scenario, derail an academic career. One person holds the power to decide whether you pass your thesis or complete your PhD while simultaneously determining your salary.
These structural foundations for power abuse are a serious problem. We want to change this and demand better frameworks to address these inequalities. We will fight consistently for the enforcement of labor rights for all student and academic employees and advocate for the right of students to decide whether their supervisor should also evaluate their thesis.
Down with the power imbalance!