Mission Statement

Mission statement of the Faculty of Psychology at the Technische Universität Dresden

The Faculty of Psychology stands for excellent research, outstanding teaching, a working environment characterised by a spirit of authentic, collaborative and appreciative work and the courageous promotion of social and technical innovation.
 

Collaboration and participation. Our faculty is a team of teachers, researchers, students and technical and administrative staff. We cultivate respectful and collegial cooperation and make decisions in democratic committees according to transparent criteria. We promote the participation of all faculty members and are committed to an inclusive, respectful working environment that is characterised by team spirit and cooperation and is free from racism, sexism, extremism and abuse of power.

Research. We conduct empirical and theory-driven basic and applied research to understand human behaviour and experience on a natural and social science basis. Our research encompasses the investigation of human experience and behaviour in different environments and phases of life as well as the underlying neuronal functions. We rely on a variety of methods and can also draw on research facilities such as the faculty's own Neuroimaging Centre (NIC) and the University Outpatient Clinic and Research Centre for Psychotherapy (UFP).

Openness and transparency. We are committed to open and transparent research, are actively committed to it and regularly reflect on our actions, for example as part of the Open Science Initiative of the Faculty of Psychology (OSIP). We practise a positive error culture and adhere to the principles of good scientific practice.

Teaching and training. Our teaching is closely linked to our research and is contemporary, practice-orientated and skills-based. We train future psychologists and psychotherapists and also impart psychological knowledge in other disciplines such as teaching, sociology, computer science and engineering. Students are involved in research at an early stage and learn to apply scientific methods. We offer innovative teaching and learning concepts that are developed further through regular evaluations and promote the continuous didactic training of all teaching staff. We are not only involved in training, but also in continuing education. We develop English-language degree programmes in order to make our knowledge accessible to a broad student body.

Social responsibility and sustainable development. Our actions in research, teaching and administration support important goals for the sustainable development of our society and the individuals and groups that make it up, focussing on three of the UN Sustainable Development Goals:
 

• Promoting good health and well-being: We investigate how mental and physical health can be improved and develop prevention and intervention programmes.
• Promoting Decent Work and Economic Growth: We explore how working conditions and technological developments should be designed to promote mental and physical health.
• Promoting Quality Education: We develop concepts to improve teaching, learning and further education.

Intra- and interdisciplinary collaboration. We work within psychology as well as interdisciplinary with other disciplines such as medicine, computer science, engineering, education, economics, humanities and social sciences. National and international co-operations promote the exchange of ideas and help us to play a leading role methodologically and scientifically and to contribute to global knowledge networking and innovation.

Science communication and knowledge transfer. We bring our knowledge of human behaviour and experience to society in order to promote positive developments. Our participation in events such as the Long Night of Science or Psychology on Saturday underlines our social connection, as does our involvement in practice-oriented research institutions (e.g. Centre for Demography and Diversity, UFP).

Evaluation concept. To ensure compliance with our mission statement, we carry out regular evaluations and present the results to the Faculty Council for discussion. This is to ensure that we fulfil our goals and continuously improve.

Summary. Our mission statement defines the values and goals of our faculty. It is intended to provide orientation and help us to grow and develop together as a community. We invite all members of the faculty to actively participate in the implementation and further development of this mission statement.