Embracing Transformation PhD and Scholarship programme

Master's graduates with a passion for transformation processes have the opportunity to participate in a unique university-wide research endeavour that combines both disciplinary and interdisciplinary seminars, workshops and conferences related to international transformation research.

The unique and internationally competitive doctoral programme provides cutting-edge methods and advanced theories in the hub science Psychology of Transformation as well as the following five interdisciplinary Key Subject Areas:

• Climate Futures in Digital Cultures
• Companies as Drivers of Sustainability Transformations
• Democratic Resilience
• Organizing in Times of Crises
• Toward a Regenerative Society

The following doctoral research themes are currently open for scholarship applications wthin the newly established international doctoral programm Embracing Transformation:

Key Subject Area “Climate Futures in Digital Cultures”
Research Theme: Climate Futures in Digital Migration and Border Control
Supervision: Prof. Dr. Stephan Scheel

Key Subject Area “Companies as Drivers of Sustainability Transformations”
Research Theme: Reconfiguring Stakeholder Relations for Sustainable Transformation in the Digital Age
Supervision: Prof. Dr. Hannah Trittin-Ulbrich

Key Subject Area “Toward a Regenerative Society”
Research Theme: Regeneration in Governance and Law
Supervision: Prof. Dr. Jelena Bäumler

Hub Science “Psychology of Transformation”
Research Theme: Key Agents of Transformation: Politics
Public Endorsement of (Non)Democratic Decision-Making Processes and Support for Long-Term Sustainable Policies in Times of Global Crises
Supervision: Prof. Dr. Ulf Hahnel

Climate change, digitalisation, socio-political upheavals, globalisation, new working and organisational models – the present is characterized by profound changes. The future viability of societies depends crucially on their capacity to manage transformations. In our newly established international doctoral programme “Embracing Transformation”, doctoral candidates have the unique chance to pursue a doctoral degree examining transformation knowledge and processes from an interdisciplinary perspective within an intellectually inspiring environment that brings together the international and regional expertise of its many partners and networks.

The newly established Leuphana Transformation Lab, as well as the five Key Subject Areas (see above) and Psychology as a hub science, provide doctoral candidates with a thematically rich, diverse and supportive environment for their individual research and ensuing careers as postdocs within or outside of academia. The Leuphana Graduate School provides the necessary support structures with regard to individual guidance, extracurricular career workshops, and all administrative questions that might arise.

As doctoral candidate in the Embracing Transformation programme, you are enroled as a regular doctoral student at Leuphana University. The start of the cohort will be April 2026; the exact details of the three-year programme will be finalised until then with the following general elements.

CORE CURRICULUM
Dissertation plus 30 Credit Points as part of the Leuphana doctoral courses with the opportunity to choose seminars focusing on various aspects of transformation. The Leuphana doctoral courses consist of the following six modules:

• Engaging with Research Ethics
• Discussing Research Methods
• Discussing Research Perspectives
• Practicing Research for Science and Society
• Research Forum I and II

COMMUNITY, FEEDBACK AND TRANSFER ELEMENTS

• Opening event at the beginning of the programme
• Mid-term writing and progress retreat
• International visiting lecturers and practitioners with transformation expertise
• Final conference

CAREER SUPPORT ELEMENTS

• Interdisciplinary events and seminars on transformation research
• New and exclusive professional programme on “Transformative Leadership and Responsibility”
• Workshops and trainings for careers in academia and beyond
• Counseling and support structures for the doctoral process
• Additional funding available for participation in conferences and research stays abroad (application-based via the Graduate School)

Within the Embracing Transformation project, we offer excellence-based scholarships to candidates with the best research proposals. To apply for a scholarship, please be aware of the following timeline and application documents.

If you wish to participate in the Embracing Transformation programme and to pursue a doctorate in one of the Key Subject Areas that currently don't offer scholarships, please write an email to transformation.phd@leuphana.de.

• Monthly stipend of € 1,850 with additional child allowance for the top applicants (3 years, starting in April 2026)
• Exclusive professional programme on “Transformative leadership and responsibility”
• Eligibility for research funding covering for research expenses up to € 4,000 annually
• Access to dedicated office space within Leuphana’s outstanding campus facilities
   

• A qualified research proposal of the envisaged dissertation project
• Letter of motivation stating your interest in participating in the interdisciplinary research project
• Curriculum Vitae
• Master's degree certificate
• If already applicable: copy of your enrolment for Leuphana's doctoral studies – Please note: Enrolment for doctoral studies at Leuphana is a prerequisite for the final granting of the scholarship.
   

Leuphana Graduate School empowers its doctoral researchers to seek answers to life’s most challenging questions. We carry out this mission by creating spaces for interdisciplinary interaction. Read and listen to their stories and become part of our graduate community!