Ethical Leadership and governance for an economy of human flourishing - place for two external PhD candidate

Field of Research: Leadership and governance; transitions toward humane and sustainable economics; and ethics (humanistic studies)

This PhD opportunity focuses on the intersection of three key areas: leadership and governance; transitions toward humane and sustainable economics; and ethics (humanistic studies). The chair, endowed by the Goldschmeding Foundation for Humane Economics, aims to address a society primarily driven by efficiency, profit maximization, and short-term goals. It strives to contribute to the development of alternative leadership and governance models, fostering a people-centered organizational culture and future-proof economic systems.

Central to this work is the idea of a humane economy, where the importance of others is embedded in economic practices. This requires building connections with stakeholders, fostering shared values, and ensuring broad well-being and human flourishing. Achieving this vision demands a reassessment of leadership within an economic context and a balanced integration of human, economic, and sustainable development processes into more humane organizational practices. The primary goal is to cultivate leaders, executives, and entrepreneurs with a strong moral compass who consider the interests of others, strive for a sustainable economy, and work toward a better world. 

A distinction is made between executive leadership and non-executive governance. The latter focuses on boardroom oversight and ethical dimensions of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors, as well as compliance with the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). Like leadership, governance requires a transition that emphasizes the existential and ethical dimensions of decision-making. This chair contributes to advancing these dimensions within a network of practitioners and scholars.

Specific research areas include:  

1. Leadership and governance focusing on responsibility and the interests of others.  

2. Leadership and governance emphasizing integrity and authenticity.  

3. Leadership and governance incorporating spiritual intelligence and creating space for meaning-making.  

4. Ethical deliberation in the boardroom, navigating transitions.

The projects will combine conceptual research with qualitative methodologies. The topics of the current PhD researchers are:  

- Is homo florens a cosmopolitan? Promoting human dignity in culturally diverse teams in a profit context* (Danaë Huijser).  

- Embracing discomfort in the boardroom: Towards self-initiating change in the economic paradigm shift. This project relates to the larger research program "Verdiepte Governance," exploring how boardroom leadership can actively engage with transformative economic practices while addressing ESG concerns (Ellemiek Etman).  

- Reappropriating stewardship to empower leaders to lead responsibly.* This project investigates how stewardship principles can be reclaimed and redefined to guide ethical and sustainable leadership practices (Rik Hospers).  

2 external PhD candidate

Candidate Expectations: 

External PhD candidates are expected to dedicate sufficient time to rigorous scientific research (half-time), culminating in the publication of four articles in international, peer-reviewed academic journals. Candidates should be prepared to engage with interdisciplinary perspectives and translate theoretical insights into actionable strategies for leadership and governance.

Candidates interested in exploring the field further may participate in the annual post-graduate program “Anders Leiden.”  While less academic, this program provides a good introduction to the themes and practical applications associated with the chair.

Contact and information