Michael Gielnik

Prof. Dr. Michael Gielnik is a Professor of Psychology, specializing in Entrepreneurship at Leuphana University of Lüneburg's Institute for Management & Organization (IMO), within the Faculty of Management and Technology. His research focuses on action-oriented entrepreneurship training, sustainable entrepreneurial behavior, and entrepreneurship in developing countries. He holds a PhD from Leuphana University (2010) and a Diplom in Psychology from Justus Liebig University Giessen (2005). His work has been published in journals such as the Journal of Applied Psychology and Entrepreneurship Theory & Practice.

Key research interests include entrepreneurial processes, training methodologies, and cross-cultural entrepreneurship. He leads the STEP Entrepreneurship Training Program and collaborates internationally on initiatives like the DAAD-funded International Joint Master’s in Work and Organizational Psychology.

Awards include the 2024 Impact Award (shared), 2014 FGF Sustainable Entrepreneurship Research Award, and recognition for his 2011 doctoral dissertation. He has held visiting fellowships at institutions like the National University of Singapore and the University of Sydney.

Teaching focuses on entrepreneurship, business psychology, and innovation management. He advises on projects addressing social innovation, circular economy (e.g., MEHRCE), and inclusive workplaces. Active in academic governance, he serves on editorial boards, including as Field Editor for Journal of Business Venturing.