Berlin’s Transport Senator, Manja Schreiner, has resigned from her position after losing her doctoral title due to a plagiarism scandal. The decision was made by the University of Rostock after an investigation into her dissertation, which was found to have numerous inadequately attributed text passages. Schreiner, who had previously been known for unraveling transport projects from the previous administration, stated that she had not intentionally deceived in her dissertation. The university’s Faculty Council unanimously voted to revoke her doctoral degree.
The University of Rostock cited the quantity of errors in Schreiner’s dissertation as the reason for the revocation of her doctoral title. They stated that the work did not meet the standards expected of a scientific thesis due to the extent of the mistakes. Schreiner had requested the university to review her dissertation following allegations of plagiarism. She has been cooperative throughout the process, providing information and cooperating with the investigation. The Faculty Council acknowledged the seriousness of revoking a doctoral title but ultimately decided in favor of the withdrawal.
In response to the university’s decision, Schreiner requested Berlin’s Governing Mayor, Kai Wegner, to release her from her duties in order to prevent damage to the Berlin Senate. Wegner expressed his regret at Schreiner’s resignation, acknowledging her contributions to the necessary transport transformation in the city. He commended her for prioritizing the interests of the Berlin Senate over her personal concerns. The process for appointing a replacement for Schreiner is currently underway, with Wegner emphasizing the need for thoroughness in the selection.
Schreiner, a lawyer, had joined the Berlin government in April 2023 and had previously served in various legal roles before entering politics. The investigation into her dissertation began in the summer of the same year after reports of irregularities surfaced. The case was brought to public attention by a legal expert who highlighted inconsistencies in academic works and identified Schreiner’s dissertation as an example of improper text borrowing. Schreiner had studied law at the University of Rostock and obtained her doctoral degree in 2007.
As a member of the Berlin Senate, Schreiner focused on mobility, transport, climate protection, and environmental issues. Her policies faced criticism for allegedly favoring car-centric mobility strategies over ecological transport solutions. Despite this controversy, Schreiner’s dissertation had initially been accepted by the university with a “cum laude” recommendation. The oral examination for her doctoral degree had taken place in January 2007, with the dissertation being published in 2008. The two examiners involved in the process had since retired, highlighting the length of time that had passed since the completion of her doctoral studies.
