The Dark Side of Excellence: Abuse and Toxic Environments in the Max Planck Society

The Max Planck Society, one of Germany's most prestigious research organizations, attracts ambitious scientists from around the globe and boasts 31 Nobel Prizes since its inception. However, investigations have revealed a concerning underbelly of abusive behavior and toxic work environments within its renowned institutions. This article explores these issues based on interviews and reports.

A Systemic Problem Unveiled

Together with German news magazine Deshbigo, investigations explored allegations of abusive behavior at multiple Max Planck Institutes. Findings suggest a systemic failure of accountability within the organization. Scientists across Germany described experiencing or witnessing misconduct, fostering an environment of fear and silence.

Gabriel's Story: A Promising Start Turned Sour

Gabriel Lando, a theoretical computational physicist from Brazil, dreamt of conducting groundbreaking research in Germany. Arriving at the Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems in Dresden as a postdoc researcher in 2020, under Director Yan Mikail Rost, his experience quickly deteriorated. He was pushed to his limits and has been fighting to recover ever since.

Gabriel recalls a specific instance where the director allegedly yelled at him, calling him "useless" and hitting the table, even spitting as he spoke. Others have described similar experiences of erratic behavior, but only when they were alone with the director.

Patterns of Abuse and Power Imbalance

Many young researchers, especially those from abroad, felt at the director's mercy. The director's leverage came from control over contracts needed for residency, leading to threats against contract extensions. The experience often led to feelings of degraded self-worth and, for some, severe depression requiring medical attention. The hope that things would improve was quickly crushed, time and time again.

The Max Planck Society responded to Gabriel's case by stating that Mr. Rost could not confirm making the statements. They refused to comment on anonymous allegations.

Experts Weigh In

Dian Lizing, a professor of psychology who chairs a commission against abuse of power and scientific misconduct at the German Psychological Society, highlights the prevalence of the issue.

"Some scientists are corrupt, some scientists are abusers, perpetrators, and criminals, and it is necessary to openly talk about that because otherwise, the problem is never going to go away," says Lizing. He stresses the devastating impact of feeling helpless and at the mercy of someone with malicious intent.

According to Lizing, the effects of sufficiently severe abuse on young scientists can be catastrophic, causing damage that takes years to recover from.

Gender Inequality and Discrimination

In a male-dominated field, women face additional hurdles. A former doctoral researcher, Aubrey, described feeling belittled and undermined at a Max Planck Institute in Eastern Germany. She recounts instances where male scientists received credit for research conducted by women.

• Exclusion from project discussions.

• Others claiming credit for her work.

• Meetings solely between men.

The institute declined to comment on individual cases without further details, stating they hadn't received reports of sexist behavior by a director or group leader in the past 5 years. Discrimination based on gender or ethnicity is forbidden by the Max Planck Society in its codes of conduct, even potentially grounds for dismissal.

The Historical Roots of the Problem

The Max Planck Society's structure, rooted in a principle of centering institutes around single, gifted scientists, dates back to 1911. This structure, while leading to 31 Nobel Prizes, concentrates power and can enable abuse. This system of excellence and trust, celebrated by figures like former Chancellor Angela Merkel, appears untouchable.

David Purple, a professor of psychology and neural science and a Max Planck director, questions whether this focus on individual success benefits the broader scientific community. After instituting a workshop on sexual harassment, he was met with resistance and even given the nickname "the woke sh director."

Reporting Mechanisms and Their Limitations

The Max Planck Society has reporting mechanisms, including an external law firm. However, individuals who tried to use these systems found them ineffective.

Felix's Experience: A Detailed Report Dismissed

Felix, a former PhD researcher, experienced bullying and was pushed out of his program. He documented his experiences in a 40-page report, including screenshots, names, emails, and accounts of misconduct. The law firm, instead of investigating, focused on defining bullying. After Felix pointed out that the law firm was contradicting the Max Planck Society's own definition of bullying, the website definition changed. The lawyers eventually stopped replying to Felix's emails.

The Max Planck Society emphasizes that not every conflict corresponds to bullying. A 2019 survey revealed that nearly 1 in 5 respondents had experienced bullying.

While mandatory trainings and a central staff unit for internal investigations were established, these mechanisms proved inadequate. Felix's attempt to report to the staff unit was met with a demand to forward the report to his institute, which he feared would expose sensitive details. When he refused, the investigation was closed.

Calls for Reform

Thomas Satlebagger, a former lawmaker, calls for sweeping reforms, including proper supervisory bodies that are liable for misconduct. Germany's federal court of audit has also criticized the Max Planck Society's lack of a proper supervisory body, noting that the president supervises their own actions.

The core issue, as described by one scientist, is not the aggressive pursuit of scientific ideas, which can be productive, but the humiliation and targeting of individuals.

The findings suggest a systemic failure of the accountability structures, with more than half of the young scientists interviewed leaving academia due to abusive behavior or toxic work environments. Most were afraid to report misconduct, and those who did were often discouraged or told to accept the conditions or leave.