LEAP Researchers 2023 in a Nutshell
- 9 months leadership development program for 10 to 15 early career researchers, March 2023 – December 2023
- monthly group online sessions tailored to participants’ needs, personal development themes alternate professional ones
- individual coach per every participant and the possibility to start a peer group coaching
- possibility to support university students in their sustainability-oriented projects
- time commitment: 4-5 hours per month
- participation is free of charge
Do you want to apply?
The call for LEAP Researchers 2023 is closed. Please, write an email to lenka.kepkova@oikos-international.org and we will keep you posted about LEAP Researchers 2024 applications.
What does LEAP Researchers bring to participants?
- Connection and joint learning with like-minded early career researchers from around the world which is tailored to your needs and wishes. The group will shape their own learning process. Monthly online meetings will alternate personal development sessions with professional training. There is a possibility to have an onsite meeting, based on participants preferencies and organisational capacity.
- You will get monthly individual coaching and the possibility to join a peer coaching group. Every participant will be connected with a coach, who will be there for them to support their individual development.
- You will be invited to practice what you learn and further develop through supporting university students in their projects. Most of these projects of oikos student community aim at embedding sustainability in the core of economics and business education. (Examples: student driven curricula reviews, courses co-creation, campaigning, raising awareness on sustainability, etc.)
Who is welcome to join? What is the time commitment?
The programme is aimed mainly at Masters students, Ph.D. students, or postdoctoral researchers who address sustainability challenges in their research and/or teaching and who have a high motivation to develop personally and professionally. The vision of an economic system that respects ecosystem limits and serves society should be close to participants’ minds and hearts. The majority of participants will have an economics and/or business background, however participants from other fields are also welcome – diversity in knowledge and experience has been highly appreciated by the first pilot group. Therefore we open the programme to participants from other disciplines as well as to more senior participants. Participation is free of charge.
Time commitment: 4-5 hours per month from March 2023 to December 2023
QUESTIONS? Write to lenka.kepkova@oikos-international.org
The LEAP Researchers is about joint personal and professional learning with like-minded early career researchers from around the world, individual coaching, and an opportunity to support student-driven sustainability projects. The programme is aimed mainly at Master’s students, Ph.D. students, or postdoctoral researchers who address sustainability challenges in their research and/or teaching and who have a high motivation to develop personally and professionally. The vision of an economic system that respects ecosystem limits and serves society should be close to participants’ minds and hearts. The majority of participants have economics and/or business background, however, participants from other fields are also welcome since we highly value diversity in knowledge and experience.
LEAP Researchers 2022 in a Nutshell
- 9 months leadership development program for 10 to 15 early career researchers
- monthly group online sessions tailored to participants’ needs, personal development themes alternate professional ones
- monthly individual coaching and peer group coaching
- practicing through supporting university students in their projects
- time commitment: 4-5 hours per month
LEAP Researchers 2022
Julia LoderUniversity of St.GallenInternational Affairs and Political Economy
Originally coming from Germany, I hold a Bachelor’s in International Affairs from the University of St.Gallen, Switzerland, and two Master’s: one in International Public Management from Sciences Po, Paris, and another one in International Affairs and Governance from the University of St.Gallen. This is also where I do my PhD in International Affairs and Political Economy, at the Institute for Economy and the Environment. Besides my studies, I am a passionate hobby harpist. Also in my extracurricular activities, engaging with societal and ecological topics has always been a top priority for me. Thus, during my Bachelor’s I have been part of the local Amnesty International students group in St. Gallen. More recently, I have taken up a fellowship with the Zukunft-Fabrik.2050, a new thinktank working towards embedding long-term thinking as the basis for action in politics, business, and society. I am an alumna of the Stiftung der deutschen Wirtschaft where I had a scholarship during my Master’s.
Frederik MaibaumLeibniz University HannoverManagement
I am a research associate and doctoral student at the innovation management group at Leibniz University Hannover. I do research on issues at the intersection of sustainability, innovation, and entrepreneurship. I studied business administration with a major in finance at the University of Muenster (M.Sc.), Rennes School of Business (B.Sc.), and Aachen University of Applied Sciences (B.Sc.). Besides my research, I am the president of the entrepreneurship club at Leibniz University Hannover where we help students building start-ups with a focus on sustainability. Prior to my academic career, I gathered experience in investment, consulting, and real estate.
Johanna MattssonMälardalen UniversityIndustrial Economics and Organization
Johanna is an industrial Ph.D. Student in Industrial Economics and Organization at Mälardalen University, Sweden. Growing up in a small town in Sweden, working with sustainability at her home ground is a dream come true. She is a part of the Future Proof Cities industrial research school, currently working in the intersection between academy and practices. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University in Gävle and a master’s degree in Strategic Leadership toward Sustainability from the Blekinge Institute of Technology. In her Ph.D., she focuses on sustainable collaborations and business models for sustainable urban development. As an industrial Ph.D. Student, she also gets the opportunity to work with sustainability at the municipal housing company as a part of her journey toward her Ph.D.
Joshua RosenbergSorbonne UniversitéEconomics
South African economist working on sustainable development and the ecological transition. I have consulted for NGOs, governments, and multilaterals on a variety of socioeconomic topics. I have also worked in the private sector as an economist, consulting on COVID and health-related topics and policy advice. Outside of professional interests, I enjoy walking barefoot on the beach, having drinks with my friends, reading, and listening to music.
Janet RasaeiKarlstad UniversityBusiness Administration with Specialization in Accounting
Stefan T. SiegelUniversity of St.GallenEducation
Dr. Stefan T. Siegel is a post-doctoral researcher at the Institute of Business Education and Educational Management at the University of St Gallen (HSG). Currently, he is working on several sustainability-related projects in academic development and research. His work has been published in peer-reviewed journals and has been presented at international conferences. More information: https://iwp.unisg.ch/en/personenverzeichnis/f63e685d-e79c-4a2a-988d-edf981be15fb
Lilia YangUniversity of GrazSocial & Economics Studies
My vision is to connect the academic field with the industry so more students and experts are able to work on the most pressing challenges we are facing to transform together the economy into a more sustainable one. My dream is to activate the potential of humans so they are able to use their unique strength to find their corner where they can thrive and push the necessary changes forward.
Grow up in China until I turned 5 and then lived in Austria since then, I have both cultures within me. Raised bilingual I always had a great interest in further developing myself and exploring the world. This led me to study environmental system sciences and economics where I am holding a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree. In 2019 I also received an international Masters Degree in Business Administration from the Lineé University of Sweden. Next to falling in love with research, studying more about sustainability & complexity while further learning & developing myself, I expanded my field of practice through projects that I executed at oikos Graz. Another big portion of what makes me feel happy lies in Health & Fitness. I have always dedicated a lot of time to learning instruments, engaging with singing, dancing, as well as diverse sport activities.
Bishnu Charan ParidaICFAI University JharkhandManagement
Bishnu Charan Parida is a Senior Development Management Professional and a PhD scholar with 26 years of full-time experience of working in UN, Development sector and Government agencies. He is currently working as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Jharkhand State Livelihood Promotion Society – JSLPS (Deptt. of Rural Development, Govt. of Jharkhand). http://jslps.in/ He topped (gold medalist) his class of MRM (M. Phil) in Natural Resource Management from the Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM), Bhopal in 2005. He had done Master of Social Work (MSW) – Visva-Bharati University, Santiniketan, 1995, 1st Class (2nd Topper). Currently, he is pursuing his PhD in Management from ICFAI University Jharkhand, India. His personal website is http://www.bishnucparida.in/
Sabrina MilliUniversity of St. GallenInternational Affairs
My research focuses on business models for renewable energy investments as well as the deployment of electric transport and solar energy in the agricultural sector. I have a Bachelor in Business Administration and a Master in Banking and Finance from the University of St. Gallen. In my free time, I enjoy doing different kinds of sports including swimming and hiking. I also like to experiment in the kitchen to turn healthy ingredients into delicious meals. Sometime it works, sometimes it’s a learning experience:)
Joao Pedro Loureiro BragaFederal University of Rio de JaneiroDevelopment economics
Julian MeckfesselLeibniz University HanoverBusiness Administration
After completing my apprenticeship as an industrial clerk, I began studying Business Administration at the Leibniz Universität Hanover. Here, and also during my semester abroad in Sydney, Australia, I was able to further deepen my interests in the areas of business ethics, innovation and strategic management. I am currently writing my master’s thesis in the field of social project bonds, am a participant in a program for young leaders with an interest in ethical leadership and work as a research assistant at the Innovation Management group at the Leibniz university. I am particularly enthusiastic about the work with the students and lecturers as well as the (academic) examination of current problems of our time. Fairness, equality and equal opportunities are important to me – which is another reason why I like to be a football referee in my spare time and support children and young people as a reading mentor and as head of the promotion of young referees.
Stephan StuckmannUniversity Duisburg-EssenSocio-Economics
My academic journey started in Mannheim, Germany, with a B.Sc. in Economics. There, I joined the local chapter of the Network for Pluralism in Economics in Mannheim and later participated actively at the national level. Currently, I am doing my Master at the Institute for Socio-Economics in Duisburg. The topic of my thesis is the macrofinance of a socio-ecological transformation.
Giuliana LongworthUniversitat Ramon Llul, BarcelonaSocial sciences
With experience in the environmental non-profit sector and studies related to the role of local actors and governance, Giuliana has closely worked with Cities and Higher Education Institutions by facilitating multi-stakeholder discussions for the development of sustainable and inclusive solutions. She is now a Marie Curie fellow and completing her doctoral studies, within HealthCascade, a network aimed at developing an evidence-based methodology for co-creation and looking specifically at how to implement and evaluate these processes.
LEAP Researchers Team 2022
The LEAP Researchers programme is coordianted by the programme manager and taken care of by the programme guiding team.
- Lenka Kepkova, LEAP Researchers Programme manager
- Adriana Troxler, professional certified coach, PCC
- Lis McNichol, professional coach and consultant
- Magdalena Rusch, PhD researcher at CD-Lab for Sustainable Product Management, University of Graz
- Clementine Robert, PhD researcher and project manager, University of St. Gallen
LEAP Researchers Coaches 2022
The coaches are crucial element of this programme. We are grateful for their dedication, energy and attention they give to each programme participant.
The 9-month pilot project with 12 early career researchers started in September 2020, and it focused on the element of self-development and experiential learning.
The track aimed
1) to develop a community of early career researchers who are willing to develop their leadership, teaching, and research skills
2) to create & cultivate a culture of cooperation with shared values.
3) to allow practicing the acquired competencies by coaching university students on curriculum reform.
In 2020 and 2021, these 12 researchers had monthly meetings alternating personal and professional topics. Topics such as getting to know their strengths, art of convening, and social media and research were covered. All participants had a 1:1 coach and a possibility to interact with each other in a peer to peer group. This pilot project was concluded in June 2021 and followed by a second pilot in 2022.
We aim at turning this pilot project into a successful program with long-lasting effects on future professors and researchers participating. If you are interested for more information or collaboration, please contact Lenka Kepkova: lenka.kepkova@oikos-international.org
Participants
Nicolás Aguilaoikos InternationalCurriculum Change Manager
He has over eight years of experience working on curriculum reform and is passionate about changing Economics and Management to build an economy fit for the people and the planet. Before joining oikos,
He worked at two well-known heterodox research institutions in Argentina and one in the U.S.A, and is an active member of several pluralist economics associations.
Tabea BereutherUniversity of St.GallenParticipant
Oliver BraunschweigThe New School, New YorkParticipant
Clara Lea Dallaire-FortierLund UniversityParticipant
Ádám KerényiInstitute of World Economics, BudapestParticipant
2. Analyst, Ministry of Finance, Department of Competitiveness, 2020-to date
3. Research Fellow, 2017 – to date
Centre for Economic and Regional Studies Institute of Word Economics, Budapest, Hungary
4. External Fellow, 2020-to date The Centre for Social Sciences, POLECON, Budapest, Hungary
5. Lecturer of corporate finance and investment policies, 2016- to date
University of Szeged, Hungary
6. Lecturer of international economy, 2018- to date
Corvinus University of Budapest, Hungary
7. Research assistant of professor János Kornai, 2013- to date
Jakob KnaufUniversity of St.GallenParticipant
Sarah MartinHelmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, LiepzigParticipant
Besides her studies, she continuously was engaged in oikos matters striving to be a part of the change for a more sustainable world, first as a part of oikos Bayreuth (2015 – 2017), later as a member of oikos Vienna (2017-2018) and last as a board member of oikos international (2018-2019).
Mariam PatsatsiaUniversity of BremenParticipant
A PhD-wanna-be, her research interests include forms of power and political violence, transnational social movements, inequality and human rights.
Lennart ReymannPolytechnische Schule Im Zentrum, ViennaParticipant
Florian RommelCusanus UniversityParticipant
Magdalena RuschUniversity of GrazParticipant
Lea TrogrlicEcole polytechnique fédérale de LausanneParticipant
PhD candidate at Ecole polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)
“I really enjoyed being part of this program as it helped me to reflect on my personal values and strengths and supported me how to use them in my private and professional life. The program with its diverse people and topics was a great source of inspiration for current and future projects and personal developments. Thanks a lot, to oikos international and the entire LEAP researcher’s track cohort for making the nine months such an exciting joint learning experience.”
– Tabea Bereuther
“It was a pleasure to get to know fellow oikees from so many different places and to explore with them the meaning and practice of our research in the LEAP Researchers’ Track. The self-led group process, the small-group discussions, and the individual coaching reinforced each other and contributed to the success of this program. It inspired my academic work and opened up new perspectives. I was always looking forward to our next meeting in which we reflected on our goals, approaches, and strengths, brought together by the ideals of support for each other, open-mindedness, and care for sustainability.”
– Oliver Braunschweig
“The LEAP researcher’s track has helped me to set the stage for my PhD in the very beginning. The programme has helped me to identify and set up the environment I need to thrive in. Additionally, I gained insights of how to apply hands-on tools to improve my way of working. All in all, I can only recommend this programme to everyone who embarks on the PhD journey.”
– Lea Trogrlic
“The LEAP Researchers’ Track has really boosted my personal development in research and teaching. Monthly meetings, 1:1 coaching, and advising university students on curriculum reform are just a few examples of this program where participants can create real impact towards greater sustainability.”
– Jakob Knauf
“The oikos LEAP researcher’s track was a thought-provoking and creative journey that inspired me in many different ways. It is a great leadership program that offers space for dialogue, co-creation, and personal development. For me, it was an excellent place to connect with like-minded people and explore new ideas together. I am very grateful for all the insightful sessions about leadership, coaching, sustainability (e.g., in higher education), and research topics during the last 9 months.”
– Magdalena Rusch
Why do we run the LEAP Researchers programme?
Many Early Career Researchers find it difficult to pursue innovative, out of the box research addressing urgent sustainability challenges, especially in the fields of economics and management. During their PhD studies, they often lack personal and professional support, not only when it comes to their own projects. They struggle to embrace their role of educators and often face the dominance of traditional theories and education methods at their institutions. This is why in 2020, we launched a pilot project of our leadership programme called LEAP Researchers with 12 early career researchers, aiming to address these challenges.
We aim at turning this pilot project into a successful program with long-lasting effects on future professors and researchers participating.
The LEAP Researchers aims to empower academics, helping them reach their full potential in personal development, while fulfilling the mission of transforming economics and management education for sustainability. The program focuses on participants’ personal development, alongside providing support in the field of research and teaching. It helps shape their perspective on changes in economics and management education required to face the global challenges. And allows them better understand their role in pushing these changes by becoming well informed, reflective, and purpose-driven change agents. With this program we intend to contribute to designing an economic system that allows both the Planet and people to thrive.
What does LEAP Researchers bring to its participants?
- Connection and joint learning with like minded early career researchers from around the world which is tailored to your needs and wishes. The group will shape their own learning process. Monthly online meetings will alternate personal development sessions with professional training, and 4 days onsite summer meeting in July or August is planned.
- You will get monthly individual coaching and a possibility to join a peer coaching group. Every participant will be connected with a coach, who will be there for them to support their individual development.
- You will be invited to practice what you learn and further develop through supporting university students in their projects. Most of these projects of oikos student community aim at embedding sustainability in the core of economics and business education. (Examples: student driven curricula reviews, courses co-creation, campaigning, raising awareness on sustainability, etc.)
Who is welcome to join? What is the time commitment?
The programme is aimed mainly at Masters students, Ph.D. students, or postdoctoral researchers who address sustainability challenges in their research and/or teaching and who have a high motivation to develop personally and professionally. The vision of economics and management education which contributes to an economic system that respects ecosystem limits and serves society should be close to participants’ minds and hearts. The majority of participants will have an economics and/or business background, however participants from other fields are also welcome – diversity in knowledge and experience has been highly appreciated by the first pilot group. Therefore we open the programme to participants from other disciplines as well as to more senior participants. Participation is free of charge.
Time commitment: 4-5 hours per month from March 2022 to December 2022
QUESTIONS? Write to lenka.kepkova@oikos-international.org