Science initiatives

Leuphana's policy of focusing its research activities on four academic initiatives is setting it apart quite distinctly from its competitors among the large universities. By 2012 it is likely that more than 40 professorships will be filled in the following interdisciplinary areas:

• Education / Teacher Training
• Management and Entrepreneurship
• Culture
• Sustainability

Education / Teacher Training

Since Leuphana University of Lüneburg was founded as a teacher training college some 60 years ago, teacher training has traditionally enjoyed a high profile in Lüneburg. This initiative is designed to expand the special profile of teacher training at Leuphana beyond its core elements, with strong basic disciplines as its foundation.

The in-depth strengthening of the core subjects will be accompanied by the retention of a broad academic spectrum as far as teaching methodologies are concerned. The focus on teacher training at Leuphana is additionally characterised by special socio-pedagogical issues that are concerned primarily with changes in the way life is socially structured.

Management and Entrepreneurship

Research, teaching and services at Leuphana University of Lüneburg, and the transfer of knowledge between different specialist areas, have always been characterised by great practical relevance. These areas include the hitherto existing fields of 'small and medium-sized companies', 'commercial law', 'business psychology', 'computer science', 'production and automation technology' and 'construction engineering/hydraulic engineering and land management'. The core assignment of the Management and Entrepreneurship Initiative is to cultivate these areas and construct a common umbrella for the various sub-areas.

The contributions made by the individual areas will be brought together in the form of a common Master programme. Leuphana`s profile is characterised by a special practical orientation that engenders an independent understanding of steering and design. Thus an entrepreneurial understanding of responsible thinking and acting in our society should be developed.

Culture

The Science Initiative Culture builds on more than 20 years of  cultural analysis / cultural studies (Kulturwissenschaften) in  Lüneburg. Since courses in cultural analysis / cultural studies were  established in Lüneburg, the local scientific community has managed  to communicate a distinct image, attract excellent students and  generate nationwide recognition for individual initiatives such as  the art gallery Kunstraum of Lüneburg University – all of which  usefully complement the university's core activities in research and  teaching.

The development of its future research profile is a particularly  significant element of the Science Initiative Culture. It aims to  sharpen the contribution made by cultural analysis / cultural  studies to the Leuphana College and the Leuphana Graduate School –  after all, both the College and the Graduate School have been decisively shaped by the ideas of the liberal arts, and are oriented  strongly towards an interdisciplinary working method. This interplay between research and teaching in various disciplines is leading to a renaissance of traditional university-related ideas in a contemporary context.

Sustainability

The Science Initiative Sustainability is characterised by the necessary integration of social and natural sciences. It draws on a strongly inter- and transdisciplinary approach, integrating disciplines such as ecology, environmental chemistry, environmental communication and sustainability management as well as the social, legal and political sciences.

The Initiative has a strong problem-solving focus, driving research content and cooperation with other institutions as well as economic and political actors. In the human sciences our research follows an actor-based approach, while in the natural-technical sciences the emphasis is on ecosystems and biodiversity, space, matter and energy, resources and information.