General Information on TAC

All doctoral students in the IMPRS ‘Global Multiplicity’ are required to have a Thesis Advisory Committee (TAC). The TAC supplements, but does not replace, the advising provided by the main supervisor. The purpose is to ensure more structured support and monitoring of progress than would be possible with a single advisor, as well as to provide a variety of perspectives valuable for developing the dissertation project and overcoming challenges that may arise in the course of the research.

You must select your committee and submit a TAC agreement signed by all members within six months of your enrolment in the IMPRS and arrange meetings of the committee at least once a year. You can access the agreement form on the IMPRS-GM teamsite.

You must have an active TAC to access your travel budget and obtain a graduation certificate from IMPRS or apply for an extension of your doctoral funding.

What are the benefits of having a TAC?

• You will receive input from various scholars with diverse perspectives and expertise.
• You strengthen your academic networks.
• You have support in case of problems in your student-supervisor relationship.

How do I choose TAC members?

The TAC should consist of at least three members:

• The person with whom you have a supervision agreement (Betreuungsvereinbarung). Your supervisor must be a university professor authorized to serve as a primary advisor for doctoral students in the faculty/department from which you intend to graduate. The supervisor will be ex officio member of the TAC.
• In addition, you select a minimum of two other members in consultation with your supervisor. At least one should be from a different institution than the one at which you are employed.
• We strongly recommended that you include one external or international scholar as the third or fourth member in the TAC.

All TAC members must also be eligible to supervise doctoral students according to the regulations of the faculty in which you are enrolled.

What are the responsibilities of TAC members?

• TAC members share the responsibility of supervising and providing guidance and support to the doctoral student throughout their doctoral studies. They must be available to meet with the student at least once a year.
• In the initial stages of the project, TAC members evaluate the approach, scope, and feasibility of the proposed doctoral thesis project, evaluate risks and challenges, and suggest potential changes, improvements, and strategies.
• At later stages, TAC members monitor progress, provide feedback and advice, and help resolve any current issues.
• The TAC recommends a timeline for accomplishing the necessary steps for completion of the doctoral project within the framework of the programme.
• The TAC is responsible for approving the extension of funding to cover a final (fourth) year.
• TAC members provide advice on career planning and professional development, as well as outreach activities such as attending conferences or participating in study visits at an international partner university.
• Together with the IMPRS coordinator, TAC members offer advice and mediation in case of conflicts between the doctoral student and their supervisor.

Go on reading about TAC Meetings.