Steffen Farny

Prof. Steffen Farny holds the Chair of Business Administration with a focus on Social & Sustainable Entrepreneurship at Leuphana University’s School of Management and Technology. His research bridges sustainability science and entrepreneurship, particularly addressing climate change, biodiversity loss, and disaster resilience. He applies qualitative methods to study institutional dynamics, affective processes, and entrepreneurial practices in transformative contexts.

Professional Journey:

• Since 2024: Full Professor at Leuphana University
• 2020-2024: Assistant Professor at Leuphana’s Center for Sustainability Management
• 2017-2020: Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at Aalto University (Finland)
• Extensive visiting roles at institutions like University of Notre Dame (USA) and Aalto School of Business

Research Focus: Explores how entrepreneurs navigate disruptions (e.g., natural disasters, climate change) and drive sustainability transformations. Key themes include:

• Collective emotions in institutional creation
• Prosocial venture dynamics
• Entrepreneurial coping mechanisms under radical uncertainty
• Challenge-based education for sustainability

Teaching & Outreach: Develops innovative entrepreneurship curricula emphasizing societal impact. Active in transdisciplinary projects like the Leuphana Center for Organization & Social Transformation and the LIONA REGINNB initiative for regional innovation.