New Vice Dean for Research and Graduate Education

5 March 2025

Photo: Private

On 1 February 2025, Prof. Dr. Malte Fliedner, professor of operations management, took over as vice dean for research and graduate education. He succeeds Prof. Dr. Nicole Ratzinger-Sakel, professor of auditing and accounting, who has done an outstanding job over the past 2 years. Fliedner has been head of the graduate school and a member of the doctoral committee since 1 March.

In the interview below, the new vice dean talks about his motivation, goals, and research topics and provides a glimpse into his time as an early career researcher.

What motivated you to become vice dean for research and graduate education?

The University of Hamburg Business School has a very attractive research profile that fits in well with the University’s strategy and the City of Hamburg’s science clusters. Strengthening this profile is an exciting task in itself. Moreover, we are training excellent early career researchers and I find it extremely motivating to help young academics grow and forge successful careers.

What topics do you find particularly important and what are your goals?

I want to ensure our research profile remains as diverse and innovative as it is today and hope we can continue to combine academic excellence with practical relevance. Helping early researchers set up networks with national and international partners is another goal.

What was your doctoral project?

My dissertation focused on the computer-aided planning of multivariant flow production systems, as they are still used today, particularly in automotive manufacturing.

What was it like to do your doctorate?

One of the best things about being a doctoral researcher was that I could delve into a subject area and work through it freely and independently.

What is your favorite research area today?

At the moment, my research focuses on innovative logistics and mobility systems, where algorithmic decision-making processes are key to efficient control.

What’s your advice for young researchers?

As the individual economics subdisciplines and the situation of young academics seem to vary so much, I find it hard to offer any general advice. I would simply tell early career researchers to focus on the topics they are really interested in rather than follow trends.

Thank you very much for the interview.