The Doctoral Academy "Business and Leadership Ethics" welcomed 21 scholars to the 2nd Writing Retreat from May 11 to 15.
With 21 doctoral students and early-career researchers traveling from across Germany and countries including France, Scotland, Poland, and Turkey - as well as international colleagues from the U.S., Canada, and China currently based at German universities - the retreat was a truly global gathering. Set against the peaceful backdrop of Wittenberg and blessed with beautiful May weather, participants found the ideal environment to focus on their research and advance their dissertation and publication projects.
Program Highlights
Opening Workshop with Prof. Ulf Schäfer
The retreat began with a thought-provoking session led by Prof. Ulf Schäfer, who addressed a key challenge: Why do so many business ethics submissions fail in peer review? In the lively discussion that followed, participants also debated the role of academic research—should it primarily pursue truth, or aim to drive change in business and society?
Excursion to Tesvolt
A special highlight of the week was an exclusive visit to Tesvolt, a battery storage company based in Wittenberg. Participants toured the values-oriented production site and gained insights into how sustainability and quality management are integrated in practice. A deep dive into Holacracy, the company’s non-hierarchical organizational model, sparked engaging discussion, particularly among those working on leadership ethics.
Community and Collegial Exchange
Throughout the retreat, writing sessions were interspersed with peer feedback rounds, offering participants the chance to receive constructive input on their manuscripts. Outside of work hours, the group enjoyed informal activities such as card games, a barbecue, and walks through Wittenberg’s historic old town—contributing to a warm and collegial atmosphere.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Karl Schlecht Foundation for its generous support, which made this meaningful academic experience possible.