The DocSchool PhilKult is one of the largest DocSchools at the University of Vienna. It is also innovative in its organisation: the twelve sections allow the expertise of the Philological-Cultural Studies Faculty to come together in fresh, experimental ways thereby affording doctoral students, researchers, faculty and guests new ways of thinking and working.

The Head of the DocSchool is Kathrin Sartingen. She is also the Director of Doctoral Studies Programmes in the Faculty. This means she oversees the diverse activities of the DocSchool (events, courses, grants etc.) as well as matters concerning the curriculum and its legal regulations. She is supported in her tasks by her deputies, Yavuz Köse and Karen Schramm.

Given the size and complexity of the DocSchool PhilKult, there are four main committees which are involved in its work, each chaired by the Head of School. The Leadership Committee is the main strategic body of the DocSchool and comprises three groups: the Head of School and deputies (Kathrin Sartingen, Yavuz Köse, Karen Schramm); three Heads of Sections representing the Sections (Alexandra Lenz, Franz Pöchhacker, Kirsten Rüther); and three representatives of the doctoral students (Katharina Gerhold, John Moberg, Catriona Weiser). The Dean and the Coordinator sit on the Leadership Committee ex officio without voting rights. The Leadership Committee meets at least twice a semester.

Since an important part of the work of the DocSchool PhilKult lies in awarding grants and scholarships, there is also a Scholarships Committee. This is a much larger group and consists of the Head of School and deputies, the three doctoral representatives and the Heads of Sections from all twelve sections (or their deputies). Again, the Coordinator sits, without a vote, on the committee ex officio. The Scholarship Committee meets twice a year in close proximity to the application deadlines for scholarships of 15 March and 15 October.

Once a year, the DocSchool PhilKult awards prizes for outstanding dissertations. While this remains under the overall remit of the Leadership Committee, the committee appoints a Prize Award Committee to make an initial assessment and recommendation. The membership of this committee is not fixed as its composition depends on the expertise required in evaluating the different subject areas of the eligible dissertations.

Finally and in line with international best practices in the university sector, the DocSchool PhilKult also has a Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) which meets once a year to discuss the development and direction of the DocSchool. It comprises leading scholars and administrators internationally and ensures that the DocSchool is embedded within an international context.

This is the general structure of the DocSchool PhilKult. There is, in addition, an external Ombudsperson who can bring an outside perspective to the workings of the DocSchool should issues arise which cannot be solved internally by discussion with the Leadership Team, Heads of Sections or the Doctoral Representatives. The Ombudsperson should only be contacted if these modes of discussion have been exhausted.