Lisa Maria Otte

Study: B.Sc. Environmental Science

Graduation year: 2014

Professional career: I head the campaign department of the international animal welfare organization, Vier Pfoten.

Today, when I look back on my time at Leuphana, I ...

... I think of great, inspiring people who want to work together towards a more sustainable society. Both the students and the teachers were enthusiastic, critical, curious, and smart people that environmental and climate protection in Germany needs.

How did your studies prepare you for your current job?

The versatility of the study content gave me a very good overview of the players in my professional field. When designing campaigns for environmental and animal protection, a solid stakeholder analysis is essential. I can only solve complex social problems if I think about all perspectives and involve the right actors.

What are the advantages of studying at Leuphana?

The inter-and transdisciplinary studies at Leuphana take science out of the ivory tower and provide incentives to become actively involved in society and help shape our democracy. The joint seminars of students of environmental sciences with others, such as those of cultural sciences or economics, lead to enriching discussions.

To whom would you recommend studying at Leuphana?

I recommend studying at Leuphana especially to those who, in their future careers, will have to bring together various experts to implement complex projects. Campaigns in NGOs, such as Greenpeace or Vier Pfoten, are good examples of how it is not possible to think from just one specialist discipline. Depending on the topic, experts in various natural sciences have to work together with those in public relations, law, economics, or politics.

What experience can I contribute as an Alumni Angel?

I have been involved in environmental, animal, and climate protection for 15 years and know the NGO sector very well. I am happy to help with questions about political and volunteer engagement.