Marcus Pietsch

Prof. Dr. Marcus Pietsch is a DFG Heisenberg Professor for Educational Science, with a focus on Educational Management and Quality Development, at the Institute of Educational Science at Leuphana University Lüneburg. He currently serves as Dean of Research at the Faculty of Education. His academic career spans over two decades with significant contributions to educational research, particularly in school effectiveness, leadership, and quality development.

Dr. Pietsch's research interests center on educational systems, with particular emphasis on:

• School effectiveness and development
• Educational leadership and management
• Quality development in educational institutions
• Innovation in teaching and learning
• Data-driven educational improvement
• Digital transformation in education

His extensive publication record demonstrates a strong focus on school leadership practices, teacher creativity, and educational innovation across international contexts. Recent work shows increasing attention to psychological factors affecting educational leadership, cross-cultural comparisons of educational systems, and the integration of digital technologies in educational settings. His research consistently bridges theoretical frameworks with practical applications for school improvement.

Dr. Pietsch has received several prestigious awards for his contributions to educational research:

• Emerald Literati Award 'Outstanding Paper' (2024)
• DFG Heisenberg Professorship (2021)
• Ernst Meumann Prize for outstanding research in empirical education (2019)

As a leading scholar in educational management, Dr. Pietsch serves on multiple advisory boards including the Institute for Quality Development in the State of Bremen (IQHB) and editorial boards for the International Journal of Educational Management and Leadership and Policy in Schools. His expertise is frequently sought by major funding organizations including the German Research Foundation (DFG), Swiss National Science Foundation, and the Austrian Academy of Sciences for peer review of research proposals and publications.

Dr. Pietsch directs the Schulleitungsmonitor (School Leadership Monitor) projects in Germany and Switzerland, large-scale longitudinal research initiatives examining school leadership practices, challenges, and effectiveness across various educational contexts. These projects involve collaborations with researchers across German-speaking countries and produce influential reports that inform educational policy and practice at regional and national levels.