Subject Areas at Leuphana University

The inter- and transdisciplinary academic activity at Leuphana is based on ambitious research in individual disciplines. Leuphana's research activities take place within five profile themes - Education, Culture, Sustainability, Management & Technology, State - and fan out into a variety of disciplines: from Art Studies to Theology.

English and American Studies

With a particular focus on teacher education, this field encompasses research in English linguistics, literary studies, and foreign language education.

  • Prof. Dr. Emer O'Sullivan
  • Prof. Dr. Anne Barron
  • Prof. Dr. Torben Schmidt

Business Administration

Business Administration focuses on entrepreneurship, management, and organizational theory, while also building strong connections to sustainability research.

  • Prof. Dr. Sigrid Bekmeier-Feuerhahn
  • Prof. Dr. Kerstin Brockelmann
  • Prof. Dr. Boukje Cnossen
  • Prof. Dr. Steffen Farny
  • Prof. Dr. Michael Gielnik
  • Prof. Dr. Stefanie Habersang
  • Prof. Dr. Jacob Hörisch
  • Prof. Dr. Dörte Mody
  • Prof. Dr. Pauline Reinecke
  • Prof. Dr. Markus Reihlen
  • Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Stefan Schaltegger
  • Prof. Dr. Henning Schröder
  • Prof. Dr. Elke Schüßler
  • Prof. Dr. Reinhard Schulte
  • Prof. Dr. Christiane Söffker
  • Prof. Dr. Augustin Süßmair
  • Prof. Dr. Hannah Trittin-Ulbrich
  • Prof. Dr. Patrick Velte
  • Prof. Dr. Laura Venz
  • Prof. Dr. Ursula Weisenfeld
  • Prof. Dr. Matthias Wenzel

Educational Research

Empirical research in Education explores the conditions, processes, and effects of learning and teaching within the broader contexts of schooling and teacher education.

  • Prof. Dr. Michael Besser
  • Prof. Dr. Timo Ehmke
  • Prof. Dr. Henrike Friedrichs-Liesenkötter
  • Prof. Dr. Marc Kleinknecht
  • Prof. Dr. Poldi Kuhl
  • Prof. Dr. Dominik Leiß
  • Prof. Dr. Dana-Kristin Mah
  • Prof. Dr. Marcus Pietsch
  • Prof. Dr. Jordan Troeller

Chemistry

At the intersection of sustainability and teacher education, research in Chemistry examines how chemical substances can be used and managed sustainably.

  • Prof. Dr. Michael Braungart
  • Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Dr. h.c. Klaus Kümmerer
  • Prof. Dr. Dr. Vânia Zuin Zeidler

Didactics

Research in Didactics is dedicated to designing teaching and learning processes that enable all learners to thrive. Scholars address subject-specific didactics as well as broader areas such as education for sustainable development.

  • Prof. Dr. Simone Abels
  • Prof. Dr. Michael Ahlers
  • Prof. Dr. Michael Besser
  • Prof. Dr. Harald Hantke
  • Prof. Dr. Anke Karber
  • Prof. Dr. Dominik Leiß
  • Prof. Dr. Astrid Neumann
  • Prof. Dr. Kathrin Padberg-Gehle
  • Prof. Dr. Silke Ruwisch
  • Prof. Dr. Stephan Schiemann
  • Prof. Dr. Daniel Fischer
  • Prof. Dr. Torben Schmidt
  • Prof. Dr. Jessica Süßenbach

German and Literature Studies

Literature, culture, and language form the focal points of German studies and literary studies. In addition to teacher training, they focus in particular on the cultures of production and reception of literary works, thus forming a bridge to research questions in cultural studies at Leuphana.

  • Prof. Dr. Claudia Albes
  • Prof. Dr. Kevin Drews
  • Prof. Dr. Karina Frick
  • Prof. Dr. Sven Kramer
  • Prof. Dr. Maud Meyzaud
  • Prof. Dr. Ulrike Steierwald

Engineering Sciences

Research in Engineering Sciences concentrates on production management as well as measurement, control, manufacturing, and materials engineering—always with an emphasis on developing sustainable solutions to technical challenges.

  • Prof. Dr.-Ing. Noomane Ben Khalifa
  • Prof. Dr.-Ing. Ghada Bouattour
  • Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jens Heger
  • Prof. Dr. Ing. Norbert Hort
  • Prof. Dr.-Ing. Benjamin Klusemann
  • Prof. Dr.-Ing. Paolo Mercorelli
  • Prof. Dr.-Ing. Florian Stamer
  • Prof. Dr.-Ing. Arthur Seibel

Cultural Studies

Cultural Studies at Leuphana focus on the formative cultural, social, and societal phenomena, conflicts, and transformations of the present, as well as the historical developments that have shaped them. The field integrates art history, literary studies, media studies, philosophy, sociology, geography, and history within an interdisciplinary framework.

  • Prof. Dr. Armin Beverungen
  • Prof. Dr. Timon Beyes
  • Prof. Dr. Boukje Cnossen
  • Prof. Dr. Maren Haffke
  • Prof. Dr. Erich Hörl
  • Prof. Dr. Serhat Karakayali
  • Prof. Dr. Volker Kirchberg
  • Prof. Dr.-Ing. Ursula Kirschner
  • Prof. Dr. Andrea Kretschmann
  • Prof. Dr. Susanne Leeb
  • Prof. Dr. Maud Meyzaud
  • Prof. Dr. Jan Müggenburg
  • Prof. Dr. Roberto Nigro
  • Prof. Dr. Claus Pias
  • Prof. Dr. Anna Lisa Ramella
  • Prof. Dr. Lynn Rother
  • Prof. Dr. Monika E. Schoop

Art Studies

Art Studies investigates the history and theory of (contemporary) art and its institutions from a cultural and problem-oriented perspective. Central research areas include provenance and restitution studies, as well as critical museum and art market research.

  • Prof. Dr. Susanne Leeb
  • Prof. Dr. Lynn Rother
  • Prof. Dr. Vera-Simone Schulz
  • Prof. Dr. Beate Söntgen
  • Prof. Dr. Jordan Troeller

Mathematics

Research in Mathematics links theory and practice in mathematics education through inter- and transdisciplinary collaboration. The field is also connected to engineering and the quantitative economic sciences.

  • Prof. Dr. Michael Besser
  • Prof. Dr. Kathrin Padberg-Gehle
  • Prof. Dr. Dominik Leiß
  • Prof. Dr. Silke Ruwisch

    Media Studies

    Media Studies explore the interplay between culture and digital media. Researchers examine how (digital) media technologies influence research, knowledge, and cultural processes.

    • Prof. Dr. Armin Beverungen
    • Prof. Dr. Maren Haffke
    • Prof. Dr. Erich Hörl
    • Prof. Dr. Jan Müggenburg
    • Prof. Dr. Claus Pias

    Methodologies

    Musicology

    Sustainable Sciences

    Researchers analyze the root causes of pressing sustainability challenges and develop solutions in collaboration with a wide range of societal actors to foster sustainable development.

    • Prof. Dr. David Abson
    • Prof. Dr. Thorsten Aßmann
    • Prof. Dr. Jelena Bäumler
    • Prof. Dr. Michael Braungart
    • Prof. Dr. Daniel Fischer
    • Prof. Dr. Jörn Fischer
    • Prof. Dr. Sylvia Haider
    • Prof. Dr. Harald Heinrichs
    • Prof. Dr. Jacob Hörisch
    • Prof. Dr. Astrid Kause
    • Prof. Dr. Claudia Kemfert
    • Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Dr. h.c. Klaus Kümmerer
    • Prof. Dr. Berta Martín-López
    • Prof. Dr. Andreas Möller
    • Prof. Dr. Jens Newig
    • Prof. Dr. Dr. Nils Ole Oermann
    • Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Stefan Schaltegger
    • Prof. Dr. Valentin Schatz
    • Prof. Dr. Thomas Schomerus
    • Prof. Dr. Maureen Schulze
    • Prof. Dr. Michael Staab
    • Prof. Dr. Vicky Temperton
    • Prof. Dr. Henrik von Wehrden
    • Prof. Dr. Dr. Vânia Zuin Zeidler

    Ecology

    Key research areas include the effects of global change—such as climate and land-use change—on organisms, their communities, and biological as well as chemical processes. From a socio-ecological perspective, researchers integrate insights from the natural and social sciences, and the humanities to advance sustainable development.

    • Prof. Dr. Thorsten Aßmann
    • Prof. Dr. Jörn Fischer
    • Prof. Dr. Sylvia Haider
    • Prof. Dr. Michael Staab
    • Prof. Dr. Vicky Temperton
    • Prof. Dr. Henrik von Wehrden

    Philosophy

    Philosophy and ethics provide a reflective framework for engaging with contemporary societal challenges. Researchers critically examine cultural discourses, revealing the traditions and assumptions that underlie current debates.

    • Prof. Dr. Erich Hörl
    • Prof. Dr. Roberto Nigro
    • Prof. Dr. Dr. Nils Ole Oermann

    Political Science

    Political Science at Leuphana investigates how contemporary societal and political challenges impact political systems. Scholars explore how these systems support transformation and resilience in democratic institutions and engage with questions of security.

    • Prof. Dr. Hana Attia
    • Prof. Dr. Sarah Engler
    • Prof. Dr. Lukas Hakelberg
    • Prof. Dr. Harald Heinrichs
    • Prof. Dr. Michael Koß
    • Prof. Dr. Tobias Lenz
    • Prof. Dr. Jens Newig
    • Prof. Dr. Astrid Séville
    • Prof. Dr. Christian Welzel
    • Prof. Dr. Natascha Zaun

    Psychology

    In the applied areas of business, education, and sustainability, researchers in Psychology study change and transformation processes that shape individual and collective experience and behavior, thereby contributing to broader societal transformation.

    • Prof. Dr. Manuel Bohn
    • Prof. Dr. Jürgen Deller
    • Prof. Dr. Alexander Freund
    • Prof. Dr. Oliver Genschow
    • Prof. Dr. Dirk Lehr
    • Prof. Dr. Michael Gielnik
    • Prof. Dr. Ulf Hahnel
    • Prof. Dr. Astrid Kause
    • Prof. Dr. Franziska Josefine Kößler
    • Prof. Dr. Poldi Kuhl
    • Prof. Dr. David Loschelder
    • Prof. Dr. Gerd Meier
    • Prof. Dr. Dörte Mody
    • Prof. Dr. Sabine Remdisch
    • Prof. Dr. Maria von Salisch
    • Prof. Dr. Birte Siem
    • Prof. Dr. Augustin Süßmair
    • Prof. Dr. Roman Trötschel
    • Prof. Dr. Laura Venz
    • Prof. Dr. Sebastian Wallot

    Law

    Research in Law focuses on international and economic law as well as on legal aspects of societal transformation. Scholars also address issues of public and civil law.

    • Prof. Dr. Alexander Barth
    • Prof. Dr. Jelena Bäumler
    • Prof. Dr. Johanna Croon-Gestefeld, LL.M. (EUI)
    • Prof. Dr. Axel Halfmeier, LL.M. (Michigan)
    • Prof. Dr. Claus Herfort
    • Prof. Dr. Till Patrik Holterhus MLE. LL.M. (Yale)
    • Prof. Dr. Stefan Klingbeil, LL.M. (Yale)
    • Prof. Dr. Suzan Denise Hüttemann, M.Res.
    • Prof. Dr. Alexander Schall, M.Jur. (Oxon.)
    • Prof. Dr. Valentin Schatz
    • Prof. Dr. Thomas Schomerus
    • Prof. Dr. Alexander Stark, M.A.
    • Prof. Dr. Volker Stief
    • Prof. Dr. Christian J. Tams, LL.M. (Cambridge)
    • Prof. Dr. Jörg Philipp Terhechte (†)
    • Prof. Dr. Natascha Zaun

    Social Pedagogy

    Research in Social Pedagogy engages with contemporary societal challenges in diverse societies, addressing topics such as welfare state policy, gender and violence, childhood and youth studies, and vocational education.

    • Prof. Dr. Lars Alberth
    • Prof. Dr. Claudia Equit
    • Prof. Dr. Angelika Henschel
    • Prof. Dr. Anke Karber
    • Prof. Dr. Ellen Kollender
    • Prof. Dr. Philipp Sandermann
    • Prof. Dr. Birte Siem

    Sociology

    Sociology at Leuphana encompasses the sociology of art, the digital sphere, organizations, migration, law and crime, and social conflict.

    • Prof. Dr. Armin Beverungen
    • Prof. Dr. Timon Beyes
    • Prof. Dr. Serhat Karakayali
    • Prof. Dr. Volker Kirchberg
    • Prof. Dr. Andrea Kretschmann
    • Prof. Dr. Stephan Scheel

    Sport Science

    With a focus on teacher education, Sport Science research covers sports pedagogy, sociology, and didactics, as well as movement science, training science, and health promotion.

    • Prof. Dr. Stephan Schiemann
    • Prof. Dr. Jessica Süßenbach

      Theology

      Research in Theology focuses on ethical questions and religious education, with particular emphasis on teacher education.

      • Prof. Dr. Vera Uppenkamp

          Economics

          Researchers in Economics use behavioral economics to study how different transformation processes affect various social groups and to situate these developments within a broader macroeconomic context.

          • Prof. Dr. David Abson
          • Prof. Dr. Luise Görges
          • Prof. Dr. Boris Hirsch
          • Prof. Dr. Claudia Kemfert
          • Prof. Dr. Johannes Lohse
          • Prof. Dr. Mario Mechtel
          • Prof. Dr. Christian Pfeifer
          • Prof. Dr. Thomas Wein

          Information Systems

          Researchers address cross-school challenges of digital transformation, focusing on artificial intelligence, data science, and machine learning.

          • Prof. Dr. Olga Abramova
          • Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Guido Barbian
          • Prof. Dr. Ulf Brefeld
          • Prof. Dr. Paul Drews
          • Prof. Dr. Burkhardt Funk
          • Prof. Dr. Mathias Groß (✝)
          • Prof. Dr. Peter Niemeyer
          • Prof. Dr. Ricardo Usbeck
          • Prof. Dr.-Ing. Ralph Welge
          • Prof. Dr. Jan Wilk