Nils Ole Oermann

Professor Nils Ole Oermann is a tenured professor at Leuphana University of Lüneburg, specializing in ethics, business, and sustainability. He concurrently serves as an Associate Faculty Member at the University of Oxford and as a consultant to the President of the German Bundestag, advising on fundamental issues and speechwriting. Since 2010, he has been a Visiting Professor for Business and Ethics at the University of St. Gallen. His roles include directing research on Religion, Politics, and Economics at Humboldt University, Berlin (2007–2018), and advising global institutions like the IMF and German Federal Ministries on sustainability, globalization, and ethical frameworks.

Education highlights include a D.Phil. in Modern History (Oxford University, 1998), a Master in Public Administration (Harvard University, 2003), and dual theology doctorates (Dr. Theol., 1999; D.Phil., 1998). He is an ordained Lutheran pastor (since 2012) and has held leadership roles such as Vice-President of Leuphana University (2010–2012) and advisor to the German Federal President (2004–2009).

His research focuses on transdisciplinary sustainability, ethical governance, and local economic resilience. Projects include the Global Classroom initiative on Local Living Economies, the TRANSFORM sustainability entrepreneurship program, and the ESD for 2030 project on resilient communities. He coordinates the Mobile Solution Workshop (MoLöWe) and leads the Institute for Ethics and Transdisciplinary Sustainability Research (IETSR).

Teaching and mentorship span academic and pastoral domains, with a commitment to integrating ethical frameworks into business, policy, and community development. His advisory work extends to G20 initiatives, the German Islam Conference, and the Rhodes Trust’s scholarship administration for German scholars.