World
University of Hamburg clears Frauke Brosius-Gersdorf of plagiarism allegations
The University of Hamburg found no plagiarism in Frauke Brosius-Gersdorf’s doctoral dissertation and has closed its investigation, Die Zeit reports. The university’s responsible bodies determined that the allegation of academic misconduct was unfounded. The review began about a year ago following reports of alleged similarities with her husband Hubertus Gersdorf’s postdoctoral habilitation thesis. The case unfolded alongside a political dispute over her proposed appointment to Germany’s Federal Constitutional Court. The Potsdam law professor, nominated by the Social Democratic Party, withdrew her candidacy in August 2025 after the planned election was cancelled.