Leuphana positions itself with new Center for Security Research

With this project, Leuphana is responding to increasing geopolitical tensions and their impact on Germany's economy, internal security, and military defense capabilities in the European context. The LCCS is to be designed as an interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research institution and will work closely with representatives from business, politics, the military, and civil society.

Organizationally, three departments will shape the LCCS's range of activities: Economy, internal security, and defense. Their task will be to identify and analyze current security policy threats in these fields and to develop concrete strategic proposals for action based on empirical findings. Events for exchange with decision-makers from business, politics, administration, and civil society, as well as an annual conference, will serve to discuss the results of the work, alongside workshops and scientific publications.

The center will bring together an interdisciplinary consortium from the fields of political science, law, sustainability studies, economics, and psychology to conduct cross-disciplinary research on the global political transformations currently taking place and their security-related consequences, for example for economic development.

According to a recent ranking, Leuphana is one of the 75 best research locations worldwide in the field of political science; giving the new center a strong scientific foundation. It will bring new professorships, positions for researchers in the qualification phase, doctoral scholarships, and visiting scholars to Lüneburg. Numerous Leuphana professorships from the fields of political science, law, sustainability studies, economics, and psychology will collaborate in the center.

The Lüneburg location combines Lower Saxony's infrastructural advantages with the diverse cooperation opportunities in the Hamburg metropolitan region. Close working relationships are planned with the German Institute for Global and Area Studies (GIGA) in Hamburg and with institutions such as the Kiel Institute for the World Economy and the Helmut Schmidt University of the German Armed Forces. An international advisory board with representatives from business, politics, and the military will guide the center's thematic focus. The final decision on funding will be made after experts have reviewed the application.

Minister Falko Mohrs: "War in Europe, hybrid threats, and targeted disinformation—the world around us is becoming increasingly uncertain. In order to preserve our coexistence, our democracy, and our prosperity for future generations, we must rethink the security of our country. Research can provide important impetus in this regard. The Leuphana Center for Cooperative Security aims to do just that. It can close an important gap in the field of security research and thus strengthen internal and external security in Lower Saxony, Germany, and Europe."

Foundation Director Georg Schütte: “Since the war in Ukraine, at the latest, it has become clear that security research at universities has taken on a whole new priority. Leuphana offers a suitable location for this in Lower Saxony, as it has proven itself to be an innovative and dynamic university that can successfully establish interdisciplinary centers.”

Leuphana President Sascha Spoun:
“Leuphana is a theme-oriented university that addresses current social developments and problems in its research and teaching. Since these do not stop at disciplinary boundaries, we have developed a particular strength in interdisciplinary collaboration and cooperation with practitioners. With the establishment of the new center, we will continue to pursue this path consistently.”

Further information:
www.leuphana.de/lccs