International PRME Conference: Focus on Responsible Management
2026-05-26 What might responsible management education look like in an era of global crises, social polarization, and disruptive developments in artificial intelligence? At the international PRME Conference from September 2–4, 2026, researchers, faculty, students, and industry representatives from around the world will discuss the theme “Reclaim – Resist – Reimagine: Sustainability and the Future of Responsible Management Education.”
Leuphana is hosting the renowned conference of the international PRME initiative for the first time. PRME stands for “Principles for Responsible Management Education” and is a network supported by the United Nations that aims to embed sustainability and social responsibility more firmly in economics programs and business schools. More than 800 universities from over 90 countries worldwide belong to the initiative.
Leuphana has been part of this network since 2019. “Leuphana recognizes the important role of universities in promoting a sustainable economy and society,” says Prof. Dr. Hannah Trittin-Ulbrich, Professor of Business Administration, specializing in Business in Society.
Guests from Europe, North America, India, and China, among others, are expected to attend the conference. The event will feature discussions on the latest research findings, innovative teaching approaches, and new perspectives on sustainability in business and higher education. A particular focus will be on the impact of artificial intelligence on education and the workplace.
The international “Call for Papers” remains open until May 31. The organizers are seeking academic and practice-oriented contributions across a total of 17 topic areas—ranging from sustainable corporate governance and innovative teaching methods to strategic thinking in responsible management education.
Students are also set to play a central role. On September 2, Leuphana will host a free “Design Jam” where students will collaborate to develop ideas for responsible management education. The results will be presented in the evening at the official conference opening: “The PRME initiative creates spaces where students can take on responsibility and develop their own projects. Many young people today expect universities to visibly assume social responsibility,” explains Prof. Dr. Stefanie Habersang, Assistant Professor of Digital Transformation.
At the same time, the university is currently establishing a student-led PRME initiative. The goal is to involve students more closely in the further development of sustainable management education and to create cross-faculty networks.
Highlights of the conference include two international keynote speeches. The event will be opened by sustainability researcher Prof. Dr. Berta Martín-López, Professor of International Sustainable Development and Planning. In addition, Prof. Dr. Sylvia Grewatsch, a scholar based