Organizing in Times of Crises
Established approaches to understanding and managing crises build on the idea that crises are temporary, seemingly enabling a return to a state of order. Yet, environmental catastrophes, health crisis, wars, and other disasters severely disrupt routines and infrastructures in both public and private spheres. Leuphana researchers develop transformation knowledge for understanding the nature of organizing in times of crisis as a multilevel, systemic phenomenon instead of a temporary condition. They foster research on organizational processes and practices as well as their impact on social change and, furthermore, propose new models of crisis management.
Here you can find more information about the connected PhD programme and scholarships Embracing Transformation.
Please hand-in applications only via the application tool.
Spokespersons
- Prof. Dr. Elke Schüßler
- Prof. Dr. Matthias Wenzel
Potential Research Areas
Possible topic areas and their potential supervisors:
Agency and actorhood in times of crisis
- Prof. Dr. Boukje Cnossen
Corporate responsibility in times of crisis
- Prof. Dr. Hannah Trittin-Ulbrich
Designing crisis-resilient organizations and institutions
- Prof. Dr. Elke Schüßler
Entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation in times of crisis
- Prof. Dr. Elke Schüßler
Future-making in times of crisis
- Prof. Dr. Matthias Wenzel
Organizing spaces, collectives, and communities in times of crisis
- Prof. Dr. Boukje Cnossen
Organizational communication in times of crisis
- Prof. Dr. Hannah Trittin-Ulbrich
Strategizing in times of crisis
- Prof. Dr. Matthias Wenzel
Application Process
| Application | Applicants submit all required documents no later than | 01.10.2025 |
| Interviews | Applicants are requested to save the date | 10.-21.11.2025 |
| Notification | Successful applicants will receive notification as of | 24.11.2025 |
| Acceptance | Successful applicants accept the awarded PhD positions no later than | 05.12.2025 |
| Doctoral studies application | Successful scholarship applicants submit their online application for enrollment in Leuphana's doctoral studies no later than | 31.12.2025 |
| Matriculation | Participants are required to matriculate at Leuphana no later than | 01.04.2026 |
| Opening Event | The new PhD researchers are welcomed at Leuphana Graduate School | 02.-03.04.2026 |