Collectively driving change for more sustainability
In this interview, Prof. Dr. Hannah Trittin-Ulbrich, Professor of Business Administration, in particular Business in Society, gives insights into the work and challenges of implementing the PRME (Principles for Responsible Management Education) initiative at Leuphana. What is the added value of the PRME initiative and how can members of Leuphana get involved?
Why did Leuphana University become a member of the PRME-Initiative?
Leuphana is aware of the important role of universities in promoting sustainability in economy and society. Through its membership in the PRME initiative, the university actively contributes to achieving sustainability goals and also demonstrates to the outside world what is already known internally: that we are already well positioned in many relevant areas!
Of course, we are also facing challenges. One of the biggest challenges is to make the initiative more visible and attract more students to actively participate, not least because there are already many great initiatives present at the university.
How can all members of Leuphana contribute to implementing the PRME-Initiative?
Everyone can contribute! Employees can promote sustainability issues more strongly in their respective roles and departments. Lecturers can incorporate these issues more strongly into their teaching, for example by drawing on theories with examples from the Global South. Students can share their perspectives on the current state of responsible management education and suggestions for improvement with us and participate in organizing PRME-related events. In particular, this is possible through the PRME student initiative at Leuphana.
What are future plans and goals of the Leuphana in context to the PRME-Initiative?
The format of the PRME reporting has recently been changed, which is why we are familiarizing ourselves with the new reporting system and preparing the report for next year. In the future, we will report on our progress annually and would like to take this opportunity to identify focus areas for improvement in the coming years.
We are also planning the PRME Initiative Conference, which will take place at Leuphana from September 2-4, 2026. Leuphana will then be the place where international teachers and students meet to exchange ideas and promote sustainability goals in teaching and research.
We are also keen to involve students more closely in the implementation of the PRME initiative. For example, a student-led initiative is currently being set up to support the promotion of sustainable management education.
What is your and your teams role to promoting the implementation of the PRME-Initiative at the Leuphana zu fördern?
We are responsible for reporting, networking with other PRME members, and organizing PRME-related events (such as the PRME Conference). Through reporting, we can identify areas for improvement in teaching, for example, or encourage new PRME-focused projects and initiatives.
In conclusion, it can be said that Leuphana University has taken a significant step toward sustainable management education through its membership in the PRME initiative. Nevertheless, further efforts are needed, particularly in terms of greater student involvement, increasing the visibility of our commitment to the PRME initiative, and networking around this topic across faculties. It is only through joint efforts and continuous improvement that truly sustainable and future-oriented education can be ensured.
Prof. Dr. Hannah Trittin Ulbrich and her team are responsible for implementing the PRME goals at the university. Do not hesitate to get in touch.