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.

Spokespersons: Prof. Dr. Elke Schüßler and Prof. Dr. Matthias Wenzel

Potential Research Areas

Possible topic areasPotential Supervisors
Agency and actorhood in times of crisisProf. Dr. Boukje Cnossen
Corporate responsibility in times of crisisProf. Dr. Hannah Trittin-Ulbrich
Designing crisis-resilient organizations and institutionsProf. Dr. Elke Schüßler
Entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation in times of crisisProf. Dr. Elke Schüßler
Future-making in times of crisisProf. Dr. Matthias Wenzel
Organizing spaces, collectives, and communities in times of crisisProf. Dr. Boukje Cnossen
Organizational communication in times of crisisProf. Dr. Hannah Trittin-Ulbrich
Strategizing in times of crisisProf. Dr. Boukje Cnossen

Application Process

ApplicationApplicants submit all required documents no later than 01.10.2025
InterviewsApplicants are requested to save the date10.-21.11.2025
NotificationSuccessful applicants will receive notification as of24.11.2025
AcceptanceSuccessful applicants accept the awarded PhD positions no later than05.12.2025
Doctoral studies applicationSuccessful scholarship applicants submit their online application for
enrollment in Leuphana's doctoral studies no later than
31.12.2025
MatriculationParticipants are required to matriculate at Leuphana no later than01.04.2026
Opening EventThe new PhD researchers are welcomed at Leuphana Graduate School02.-03.04.2026