Testimonials

Leuphana Graduate School empowers its doctoral researchers to seek answers to life’s most challenging questions. We carry out this mission by creating spaces for interdisciplinary interaction. Read and hear their stories and become part of the Research Group Sustainability Science.

Alexa Böckel

Leuphana alumna Alexa Böckel is currently pursuing her doctorate at the Centre for Sustainability Management at Leuphana University Lüneburg. Her doctoral thesis deals with the topic of ‘Startups in the Circular Economy.’ Her focus is on how startups can contribute to the circular society. For her research, she talks to numerous founders about their visions and works with them on concepts for a better future. In our interview, she talks about her journey from the idea of a doctoral thesis to her current work as an action researcher. She provides insights into the topics of supervision, financing, planning and completing a doctoral thesis, as well as doctoral studies at Leuphana. She will also soon be publishing an anthology on myths of the circular economy.
But that's not all – she also talks about her work as head of the Social Change Hub. The SCHub is dedicated to the education and training of social change actors.

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Najamul Memon

©Leuphana/Ciara Charlotte Burgess
"Germany being at the forefront of renewable energy inspired me to choose renewable energy as my focus area and that was one of the motivations to work on topics related to energy."

Why did you decide to do a doctorate at Leuphana?

I choose a doctorate because of the academic freedom and my interest in the topics related to sustainable development goals and more specifically sustainable energy. I was lucky to be part of junior research group “SteuerBoard Energie” which further provided me avenues to merge my academic background of public policy with regulations and financing under the leadership of my supervisors here at the Institute of Sustainability Governance.  

When did you first think about doing a doctorate?

Since years I carry a dream of helping humanity in getting their social issues resolved but never knew how. Thanks to DAAD for providing me an amazing opportunity to be part of Helmut-Schmidt Fellow for Public Policy and Good Governance where I got the chance to meet many internationals and we often used to discuss issues of governance in our respective countries. It was during my apprenticeship period at the University of Passau I found Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as the key indicators to resolve the development related issues across the globe. Germany being at the forefront of renewable energy inspired me to choose renewable energy (RE) as my focus area and that was one of the motivations to work on topics related to energy (SDG-7) and resolve the issues of energy poverty, energy access by guiding policy makers as well as inspiring youth in the sector. This might look very optimistic, so I am.

What is different now compared to the Master's times?

Being a doctoral candidate is different from being a master’s student. You need to be very focused and concretely deal with some topic in details. Being a doctoral candidate itself feels like you are the expert in the field (if not now may be in future). While working with your colleagues in a team you learn a lot about research, scientific communication, cross cutting themes and different methodologies of research and of course you read a lot.

What do you benefit from most during the doctoral phase?

During the doctoral studies you learn how to present your research problem and find different ways to resolve the jigsaw puzzle. Besides academics, you also get multiple opportunities to present your work, share your ideas and get feedback from the experts in different formats i.e., conferences, symposiums, and summer schools etc. All these platforms also provide you with ample opportunities to network and identify your scientific community.

What would you say is different at Leuphana than at other universities?

I am not sure about other universities, but one aspect that I like the most at Leuphana is “sustainability consciousness” be it in the form of different courses, degree programmes, in the architecture as well as the student community.

What do you expect from the doctorate at Leuphana?

I am expecting to develop my niche in the research and together with my mentors lead the discourse beyond academia.

Do you have plans to go abroad for a research stay? Have you spent a research period abroad?

I recently experienced the first ever research stay abroad when I visited beautiful northern parts of Pakistan. During my PhD field research, I met the off-grid rural communities and explored different forms of community energy models. I was amazed to see the way rural communities together with the help of local NGOs as well as multilateral donor agencies build and manage the hydroelectric power projects. At the same time, it hurts when you see those rural off-grid communities have not been focused through policies and regulatory framework. 

Do you already know whether you want to pursue an academic career after your doctorate?

This is the question that I ask myself and still not sure whether I would stay in academia. But you never know, on the one hand I enjoy academic freedom and on the other hand I want to create a direct impact in the policy circles by joining some political elites or think tank(s), or it could be mix of academia and political leadership.  

Thank you very much for the interview!