Prof. Dr. Henrik von Wehrden
Professor,
Professorship of Normativity of Methods
Center for Methods
Associated member, Sustainability Education and Transdisciplinary Research Institute
Center for Methods
Associated member, Sustainability Education and Transdisciplinary Research Institute
Vita
Henrik von Wehrden is the dean of the faculty of sustainability at Leuphana and member of the methods center. His work focuses on applying methods in a new context to create novel knowledge. His research spans across many spatial scales and groups of organisms, as well as explored the normative dimensions of methodological research.
Teaching
Statistics, GIS, methods; teaching though research
Research Interests
Statistics, drylands, species distribution models, conservation
Projects
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agri:change – Future through change: Sustainability transformation in the agricultural and food industry in Lower Saxony
Henrik von Wehrden (Project manager, academic) , Christoph Schwenck (Project staff) , Jannis Pfendtner-Heise (Project staff)
→Project: Research
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Interdisziplinäre Methodenlehre und Kompetenzen
Henrik von Wehrden (Project manager, academic)
→Project: Research
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Zukunft des Wohnens selbst erforschen
Henrik von Wehrden (Project manager, academic)
→Project: Other
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Machbarkeitsstudie zur Operationalisierung einer interaktiven, virtuell unterstützten Lernumgebung zur Stärkung von Nachhaltigkeitskompetenzen
Henrik von Wehrden (Project manager, academic)
→Project: Research
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DigiTaL - Teilprojekt 04: Methoden-Wiki
Henrik von Wehrden (Project manager, academic) , Neha Chauhan (Project manager, academic) , Anna-Lena Rau (Project manager, academic)
→Project: Teaching
Publications
Journal contributions
- The false certainties of climate policy: Rethinking risk and cooperation in an uncertain future
John-Oliver Engler (Author) , Florian Ulrich Jehn (Author) , Astrid Kause (Author) , Henrik von Wehrden (Author) , Jana Zscheischler (Author) , Johann Majer (Author) , 01.12.2026 , in: Ecological Economics, 250 , 5 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Comments / Debate / Reports › Research
- Major determinants of sustainable agriculture practices adoption: A systematic review
Max Kretschmer (Author) , Jorge Gustavo Rodríguez Aboytes (Author) , Henrik von Wehrden (Author) , Neha Chauhan (Author) , 01.05.2026 , in: Land Use Policy, 164 , 12 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Establishing a GIS toolbox to access urban verticality
Christoph Maximilian Schwenck (Author) , Tobias Neumann (Author) , Henrik von Wehrden (Author) , 01.04.2026 , in: City and Environment Interactions, 30 , 12 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Pluralism and integration? A systematic review of ecological economics methodological foundations
Max Friedemann Kretschmer (Author) , John-Oliver Engler (Author) , Henrik von Wehrden (Author) , Joe A. Ament (Author) , Julius Rathgens (Author) , 01.02.2026 , in: Ecological Economics, 240 , 10 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Measuring environmental (in)justices: Insights from a systematic literature review on methodological approaches
Charlotte Gohr (Author) , Noelia Zafra-Calvo (Author) , Gonzalo Cortés-Capano (Author) , Anna Lena Tonninger (Author) , Henrik von Wehrden (Author) , Jacqueline Loos (Author) , 19.12.2025 , in: iScience, 28, 12 , 18 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
Contributions to collected editions/anthologies
- Socio-Environmental Vulnerability of Agriculture Communities to Climate Change in Western Himalaya: A Household-Level Review
Henrik von Wehrden (Author) , Pawan Kumar Joshi (Author) , Neha Chauhan (Author) , 24.09.2022 , p. 123-145 , 23 p.Research output: Contributions to collected editions/anthologies › Contributions to collected editions/anthologies › Research
- Climate Change May Trigger Broad Shifts in North America's Pacific Coastal Rainforests
D.A. DellaSala (Author) , M. Koopman (Author) , J. Leonard (Author) , Claude Meisch (Author) , P. Herzog (Author) , P. Alaback (Author) , M.I. Goldstein (Author) , S. Jovan (Author) , A. MacKinnon (Author) , Henrik von Wehrden (Author) , P. Brandt (Author) , 01.01.2018 Oxford , p. 233-244 , 12 p.Research output: Contributions to collected editions/anthologies › Chapter › Research › peer-review
- Sustainability and Ecosystems
Henrik von Wehrden (Author) , Goddert von Oheimb (Author) , David Abson (Author) , Werner Härdtle (Author) , 01.01.2016 Dordrecht , p. 61-70 , 10 p.Research output: Contributions to collected editions/anthologies › Chapter › Research › peer-review
- Habitat suitability models in conservation planning – a short introduction
Petra Dieker (Author) , Henrik von Wehrden (Author) , Angela Taboada Palomares (Author) , 01.05.2014 Sofia , p. 57-65 , 9 p.Research output: Contributions to collected editions/anthologies › Contributions to collected editions/anthologies › Research › peer-review
- Methoden und Methodologie in den Nachhaltigkeitswissenschaften
Henrik von Wehrden (Author) , Daniel J. Lang (Author) , Horst Rode (Author) , 01.03.2014 Berlin, Heidelberg , p. 115-144 , 30 p.Research output: Contributions to collected editions/anthologies › Contributions to collected editions/anthologies › Education
Activities
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Identifying Conservation Priorities in the face of future development: applying development by design in the mongolian gobi
Henrik von Wehrden (Reviewer)
Activity: Academic Consultant › Research
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Vegetation changes along a climatic gradient during a severe drought year in the El Nino region
Henrik von Wehrden (presenter)
→Activity: Presentations (poster etc.) › Research
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Landscape effects on bird and rodent cummunities and seed predation to agriculture in Israel
Henrik von Wehrden (Speaker)
→Activity: Conference Presentations › Research
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Lessons for conservation biology under global change conditions: a case study on two burnet moth species in the high altitudes of the Pyrenees
Henrik von Wehrden (Speaker)
→Activity: Conference Presentations › Research
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Transdisciplinary research - a bridge between science and practitioners to produce reliable knowledge
Henrik von Wehrden (Speaker)
→Activity: Presentations (poster etc.) › Research
Press / Media
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Von nachhaltiger Flächennutzung und gerechten Stadt-Land-Beziehungen: Zukunftsszenarien und konkrete Ansätze aus dem Landkreis Lüneburg.
1 Media contributionPress/Media: Press/Media
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„Ich weiß, dass … aber trotzdem …“ Kognitionsverzerrungen und Nachhaltigkeit
1 time citedPress/Media: Press/Media
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Schwankende Niederschläge in Trockengebieten verhindern Überweidung
1 time citedPress/Media: Press/Media
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Schwankungen sorgen für Stabilität - Weltweit Degration von Weideflächen untersucht
1 time citedPress/Media: Press/Media
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Schwankungen sorgen für Stabilität - Weltweit Degration von Weideflächen untersucht
1 time citedPress/Media: Press/Media
Courses
Comprehensive analysis of data using Python. The lecture will present and discuss general examples on the language Python, statistical models, data preparation, creation of functions, graphical representations and other essentials of Python.
Comprehensive analysis of data using the Python programming language. The tutorial will focus on practical application of Python to solve data analysis problems, such as statistical modeling and model selection, data preparation, creation of functions, graphical representations and other essentials of the Python language. The didactical concept is to provide the required background knowledge of solving a particular problem 'as we go', i.e. there will usually be a combination of theory input, worked examples, and practical excercises. Note that this is not your programming 101 course, so the focus will be less on coding per se, but on understanding the statistical concepts required for data analysis using Python.
This module supports you in the process of writing your bachelor thesis. While the lecture builds on a flipped classroom concept, it will be widely framed around the questions of the audience regarding the specific slots. The lecture thus helps you to find a topic, supervisors, and how to communicate with them. You will get input on time management, how to tame a topic, define research questions of hypotheses, research literature, and write a glossary. An additional emphasis will be set un creating methodological designs, pitfalls of research, and establishing a routine. We also give you help on how to overcome writer's block, norms and standards of science, and how to submit and defend your thesis. All individual steps will also be discussed more hands on in the tutorials.
Die Vorlesung bietet einen breiten konzeptionellen und historischen Überblick über wissenschaftliche Methoden. Beginnend mit den epistemologischen Grundlagen verschiedener methodischer Ansätze und Fächerkulturen wird die wachsende Diversität von Methoden erläutert. Gleichzeitig wird das inter-und transdisziplinäre Grundverständnis der Leuphana so erläutert, und anhand von soliden Grundprinzipien der Methodik wie z.B. Bias oder kritische Reflexion die Grundlage für die methodische Fokussierung im Major und Minor erläutert. Anhand von praktischen und interaktiven Aufgaben werden Methoden erfahrbar, und die Lernenden generieren so erste Daten aus sich selbst heraus.
The lecture offers a broad conceptual and historical overview on scientific methods. Starting with the epistemological fundamentals of diverse metho-dological approaches and disciplines, the increasing diversity of methods is explained. At the same time, the inter- and transdisciplinary path at Leu-phana is exemplified, and the fundamental principles of scientific methodology (such as bias or critical reflection) as well as the methodological focus of Major and Minor courses are illustrated. Methods are made tangible through practical and interactive tasks and the students generate first data by themselves.
The lecture offers a broad conceptual and historical overview on scientific methods. Starting with the epistemological fundamentals of diverse metho-dological approaches and disciplines, the increasing diversity of methods is explained. At the same time, the inter- and transdisciplinary path at Leu-phana is exemplified, and the fundamental principles of scientific methodology (such as bias or critical reflection) as well as the methodological focus of Major and Minor courses are illustrated. Methods are made tangible through practical and interactive tasks and the students generate first data by themselves.
What can you expect from this course?
This course is a deep dive into scientific methodology. Most of you have some experience with specific disciplinary methods from your bachelor's programs, thus you bring a diversity of experiences to the table. The primary goal of this course is to take your multidisciplinary backgrounds and integrate your knowledge into a critically reflective and normatively oriented canon of inter- and transdisciplinary methods and methodology for sustainability science.
How does the course work?
In this course, you will be sent on missions to design case studies for diverse problems in sustainability science with a focus on scientific methods! To be able to do so, you will receive a range of inputs on methods and methodological aspects in the first weeks and over the course of the semester. We use a Flipped Classroom approach, which means you do not get a top-down lecture where you just listen to us and do homework afterwards; instead, we provide you with method packages for preparation that you engage with individually and in groups each week at your own pace before we come together for the seminar session.
The seminar Sessions ...
We meet for the seminar session every Monday from 11:50 to 14:05 in the lecture room C40.501 in the central building. We use the room as a hub for exchange and joint learning, where we work together on specific methods, get your group work moving forward, and critically exchange ideas about the diverse aspects necessary for working with scientific methods in sustainability contexts. The session is divided into three parts:
- the first part focuses on the integration of the knowledge you engaged with in the preparation materials into your mission work
- the second part focuses on specific challenges related to the methods, mission contexts or group collaboration aspects in task forces
- the third part is designated for your group work, where we will be present and answer questions
This course is a deep dive into scientific methodology. Most of you have some experience with specific disciplinary methods from your bachelor's programs, thus you bring a diversity of experiences to the table. The primary goal of this course is to take your multidisciplinary backgrounds and integrate your knowledge into a critically reflective and normatively oriented canon of inter- and transdisciplinary methods and methodology for sustainability science.
How does the course work?
In this course, you will be sent on missions to design case studies for diverse problems in sustainability science with a focus on scientific methods! To be able to do so, you will receive a range of inputs on methods and methodological aspects in the first weeks and over the course of the semester. We use a Flipped Classroom approach, which means you do not get a top-down lecture where you just listen to us and do homework afterwards; instead, we provide you with method packages for preparation that you engage with individually and in groups each week at your own pace before we come together for the seminar session.
The seminar Sessions ...
We meet for the seminar session every Monday from 11:50 to 14:05 in the lecture room C40.501 in the central building. We use the room as a hub for exchange and joint learning, where we work together on specific methods, get your group work moving forward, and critically exchange ideas about the diverse aspects necessary for working with scientific methods in sustainability contexts. The session is divided into three parts:
- the first part focuses on the integration of the knowledge you engaged with in the preparation materials into your mission work
- the second part focuses on specific challenges related to the methods, mission contexts or group collaboration aspects in task forces
- the third part is designated for your group work, where we will be present and answer questions
The module conveys basic knowledge and practical research examples through which the diversity of methods available in environmental & sustainability science is exemplified and contextualized. The module presents an overview of approaches to obtain, analyse and interpret data within science, and embeds these into a broader ontological framework. While the focus is generally on how methods can aid and enable the production of knowledge, a connection to the history of science, including the origin and development of each specific method is part of the lecture.
This course serves as a starting point of your PhD journey at Leuphana. By starting with an open exchange about the expectations and goals for your PhD we frame together how to conduct each and every individual research best. The course thus provides an overview of the different components of academia that are relevant for your PhD, helps you to find your niche in your surrounding, and which expectations and responsibilities are important to make your PhD a successful part of your career.
This course serves as a starting point of your PhD journey at Leuphana. By starting with an open exchange about the expectations and goals for your PhD we frame together how to conduct each and every individual research best. The course thus provides an overview of the different components of academia that are relevant for your PhD, helps you to find your niche in your surrounding, and which expectations and responsibilities are important to make your PhD a successful part of your career.
In addition to the lectures, this tutorial gives you the opportunity to ask questions, discuss your topic ideas in groups, address any thesis struggles and to present your (planned) work to each other in order to receive feedback and specific help from your peers and the tutor.
Experience has shown that this structured accountability-like tutorial makes it easier to get started and stay on track so that you can get through the Bachelor's thesis process as successfully as possible. The tutorial is designed in such a way that you can benefit from it no matter which phase of the thesis you are currently in: you can join from the very start of planning your thesis up until when you are in the finishing phase and preparing your defense.
The tutorial is accompanied by this Wiki-Article, which provides information as well as hints and experiences regarding each step of the thesis process: https://sustainabilitymethods.org/index.php/How_to_write_a_thesis
There is an additional "Writing Tutorial" every two weeks that you can sign up to. Here, we will exclusively focus on getting into writing/researching in a productive atmosphere. Further, there is the opportunity to discuss questions.
Experience has shown that this structured accountability-like tutorial makes it easier to get started and stay on track so that you can get through the Bachelor's thesis process as successfully as possible. The tutorial is designed in such a way that you can benefit from it no matter which phase of the thesis you are currently in: you can join from the very start of planning your thesis up until when you are in the finishing phase and preparing your defense.
The tutorial is accompanied by this Wiki-Article, which provides information as well as hints and experiences regarding each step of the thesis process: https://sustainabilitymethods.org/index.php/How_to_write_a_thesis
There is an additional "Writing Tutorial" every two weeks that you can sign up to. Here, we will exclusively focus on getting into writing/researching in a productive atmosphere. Further, there is the opportunity to discuss questions.
Ergänzend zu den Vorlesungen, gibt dieses Tutorium die Möglichkeit, die jeweiligen (selbstgewählten) Themen in Gruppen zu diskutieren, Fragen zu stellen und die geplante Arbeit gegenseitig zu präsentieren, um Feedback und konkrete Hilfestellung von Ihren Kommilitonen und dem Tutor zu erhalten.
Die Erfahrung hat gezeigt, dass dies den Einstieg und das Durchhalten erleichtert, um die Bachelorarbeit möglichst erfolgreich durchlaufen können. Das Tutorium ist so konzipiert, dass Sie davon profitieren können, unabhängig davon, in welcher Phase der Arbeit Sie sich gerade befinden. Sie können ganz am Anfang der Planung bis zu den letzten Zügen und in der Vorbereitung der Verteidigung mit ihren Themen zu dem Tutorium kommen.
Das Tutorium wird durch den folgenden Sustainability-Methods-Wiki-Artikel begleitet: https://sustainabilitymethods.org/index.php/How_to_write_a_thesis
Es gibt ein zusätzliches “Schreibtutorium” alle zwei Wochen, zu dem Sie zusätzlich kommen können. Dort wird der Fokus darauf liegen, Aufgaben für die Bachelorarbeit in einer produktiven Umgebung zu bearbeiten, und es gibt die Gelegenheit, Fragen gemeinsam zu besprechen.
Die Erfahrung hat gezeigt, dass dies den Einstieg und das Durchhalten erleichtert, um die Bachelorarbeit möglichst erfolgreich durchlaufen können. Das Tutorium ist so konzipiert, dass Sie davon profitieren können, unabhängig davon, in welcher Phase der Arbeit Sie sich gerade befinden. Sie können ganz am Anfang der Planung bis zu den letzten Zügen und in der Vorbereitung der Verteidigung mit ihren Themen zu dem Tutorium kommen.
Das Tutorium wird durch den folgenden Sustainability-Methods-Wiki-Artikel begleitet: https://sustainabilitymethods.org/index.php/How_to_write_a_thesis
Es gibt ein zusätzliches “Schreibtutorium” alle zwei Wochen, zu dem Sie zusätzlich kommen können. Dort wird der Fokus darauf liegen, Aufgaben für die Bachelorarbeit in einer produktiven Umgebung zu bearbeiten, und es gibt die Gelegenheit, Fragen gemeinsam zu besprechen.
In addition to the lectures and the tutorial, this co-working space gives you the opportunity to work on your thesis and to connect with your accountability group. Further, this is a space to ask questions and receive concrete help from your peers and the tutor.
Experience has shown that this makes it easier to get started and stay on track so that you can get through the Bachelor's thesis process as successfully as possible. The tutorial is designed in such a way that you can benefit from it no matter which phase of the thesis you are currently in: you can join at the very start of planning your thesis up until when you are in the finishing phase and preparing your defense.
The tutorial will be accompanied by the following Sustainability-Methods-Wiki article: https://sustainabilitymethods.org/index.php/How_to_write_a_thesis
Experience has shown that this makes it easier to get started and stay on track so that you can get through the Bachelor's thesis process as successfully as possible. The tutorial is designed in such a way that you can benefit from it no matter which phase of the thesis you are currently in: you can join at the very start of planning your thesis up until when you are in the finishing phase and preparing your defense.
The tutorial will be accompanied by the following Sustainability-Methods-Wiki article: https://sustainabilitymethods.org/index.php/How_to_write_a_thesis