WHU Sustainability Management Center

What does it take to sustainably transform business and society? This is the central question pursued by the Sustainability Management Center (SMC) at WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management. Founded in 2023, the SMC has recently been newly structured and is now led by Assistant Professor Anna-Karina Schmitz (Director) and Dr. Sophie Biallowons (Associate Director).

Together, they are providing a home for the school’s sustainability-related skills and efforts in research, teaching, and practice. “In our new roles, we seek to increase the visibility of the WHU community’s engagement in sustainability and further connect the various activities and actors in research, teaching, and practice,” says the SMC Team. “The Center is a great platform to foster exchange and create new opportunities for collaboration within WHU and beyond. We are excited to help drive these efforts forward.”

Events and collaborations

The SMC acts as a central platform for the sustainability-related activities of WHU’s research, teaching, and practice transfer—including publications, courses, guest lectures, case studies, and events. It promotes research on relevant topics, builds sustainability management skills, and facilitates the transfer of knowledge between research and practical application.

A key factor in the success of the school’s sustainability efforts is bringing together the various actors from within and outside the WHU community. To strengthen information and knowledge exchange, the SMC connects stakeholders such as professors, student clubs, members of the school’s professional staff, alumni, and company representatives. Additionally, the Center organizes professional and networking events, such as the Campus for Sustainability Management, which will take place in May 2026 at WHU’s Düsseldorf campus.

The SMC works closely with companies on sustainability issues and remains open to forming new partnerships. Possible formats include, for example, joint research projects, content-related collaborations such as guest lectures, or support for doctoral positions and events.

Learn more about the SMC and stay up to date on all its activities through its official LinkedIn page.