Imagination is how personal and worldwide revolutions begin.
Glennon Doyle (Autorin, Aktivistin und Gründerin von Together Rising)
What might a more sustainable society look like?
As a transformation scientist, I research how our ideas about positive and sustainable ways of living can become reality – in cities, regional areas, organizations and in our own homes.
I’m actively contributing towards this new reality through transdisciplinary and transformative research projects and my work as a qualified business psychologist and coach.
My focus on people and organizations in transformation processes
I’ve always been fascinated by the question of how people bring about change, either as individuals or as part of a group.
I found some initial answers to this question during my studies. Business psychology, management and marketing offer theories and concepts that explain how consumer behavior and organizations change, as well as the roles played by personal attitudes, shared values and, particularly, good communication.
My research for sustainable urban and regional development
Cities are economic powerhouses and major consumers of resources, which means they will play a central role in sustainable development in the 21st century. Yet urban development is complex, dynamic and often unpredictable. Interactions between people and organizations affect and are affected by administrative processes; political decisions take into account economic aspects and legal frameworks. Systemic research methodologies already have these meso and macro levels well covered.
Far less is known about the psychosocial motivators and conditions that enable actors in transitions to successfully cooperate on the micro level, to develop shared visions for the future and to shape their environment in a sustainable way.
My commitment to a holistic energy transition
The sustainable production and consumption of energy is much more than a challenge for engineers. When I think about the energy transition, I don’t focus on how large wind and solar parks are operated, the advantages of biogas facilities or the controversial expansion of existing power grids.
Instead, I want to understand how these infrastructure projects and our desire for CO2-neutral energy production can positively change our societies in the long term.
My applied research is designed to fill a gap in the current discourse by appealing to people who are affected by the energy transition, but who don’t feel particularly well addressed by public discussions on this issue.
Conversation starters
Here’s a brief overview of my various publications, from journal articles to YouTube and Instagram videos.
For everyone
I want to share my knowledge. That’s why I enjoy explaining my research to other people in the form of presentations or workshops.
For scientists
My scientific publications contribute towards the body of literature on sustainable transition research. I illuminate the psychosocial dimension…
For practitioners
Successful project work needs a methodologically sound approach. This might mean using a mix of different methodologies.