Team

Prof. Dr. Ansgar Zerfaß 

University Professor for Strategic Communication

Office: Nikolaistraße 27-29, Room 4.07, 04109 Leipzig
Mail: IPF 165153, Ritterstraße 24, 04081 Leipzig

Phone: +49 341 97-35040 
Fax: +49 341 97-35049

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PROFILE 
Website

Prof. Dr. Christian Pieter Hoffmann

University Professor for Communication Management

Office: Nikolaistraße 27-29, Room 4.03, 04109 Leipzig
Mail: IPF 165152, Ritterstraße 24, 04081 Leipzig

Phone: +49 341 97 35061
Fax: +49 341 97-35049

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PROFILE

Prof. Dr. Cornelia Wolf

University Professor for Online Communication

Office: Nikolaistraße 27-29, 04109 Leipzig
Mail: IPF 165151, Ritterstraße 24, 04081 Leipzig

Phone: +49 341 97 35051
Fax: +49 341 97-35049

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PROFILE

Prof. Dr. Alexander Godulla

University Professor for Empirical Communication and Media Research

Office: Nikolaistraße 27-29, Room 4.28, 04109 Leipzig
Mail: IPF 165122, Ritterstraße 24, 04081 Leipzig

Phone: +49 341 97-35742
Fax: +49 341 97-35719

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PROFILE

Prof. Dr. Christof E. Ehrhart 

Honorary Professor for International Corporate Communications

Office: Nikolaistraße 27-29, 04109 Leipzig
Mail: IPF 165153, Ritterstraße 24, 04081 Leipzig

Phone: +49 341 97-35040
Fax: +49 341 97-35049

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PROFILE 

Prof. Dr. Werner Süss 

Honorary Professor for Corporate Communications

Office: Nikolaistraße 27-29, 04109 Leipzig
Mail: IPF 165152, Ritterstraße 24, 04081 Leipzig

Phone: +49 341 97-35040 
Fax: +49 341 97-35049

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Prof. Dr. Günter Bentele 

Professor Emeritus for Public Relations

Office: Nikolaistraße 27-29, Room 4.02, 04109 Leipzig
Mail: IPF 165101, Ritterstraße 24, 04081 Leipzig

Phone: +49 341 97-35734 
Fax: +49 341 97-35049

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PROFILE 

• Jana Brockhaus, M.A.
  Research assistant at the Chair for Strategic Communication
  PROFILE
• Jens Hagelstein, M.A.
  Research assistant at the Chair for Strategic Communication
  PROFIlE
• Lea Knabben, M.A.
  Research assistant at the Chair of Communication Management
  PROFILE
• Jeanne Link, M.A.
  Research assistant at the Chair for Strategic Communication
  Profile
• Ulf Merkel, M.A.
  Research assistant at the Chair of Communication Management
  PROFILE
• Rosanna Planer, M.A., M.Sc.
  Research assistant at the Chair for Empirical Communication and Media Research
  PROFILE
• Christina Rueß, M.A.
  Research assistant at the Chair of Communication Management
  PROFILE
• Daniel Ziegele, M.A.
  Research assistant at the Chair for Strategic Communication
  PROFILE

Projektmitarbeitende

Research assistants work in the teaching department team during their studies. They are involved in research projects, knowledge transfer and support project management.

If you are interested in working in the team as a Master's or Bachelor's student, please contact the department's  Sekretariat without obligation.

Lisa Claus, B.A. (Prof. Hoffmann)
Research Assistant, Chair of Communication Management

Wibke Kroll, B.A. (Prof. Zerfaß, K. Berger)
Research Assistant, Chair of Strategic Communication / Academic Society

Friederike Rummeni, B.A. (Prof. Wolf)
Research Assistant, Erasmus advisory service

Daniel Seibert, M.A. (Prof. Godulla)
Research assistant, Professor of Empirical Communication and Media Research

Eszter Számadó, B.A. (Prof. Zerfaß/Prof. Bentele)
Research Assistant, Chair of Strategic Communication / Project "Center for History & Corporate Communication" (CHCC)

Pia Widulle, B.A. (Prof. Zerfaß)
Research assistant, Chair of Strategic Communication

Current Doctoral and Postdoctoral Students

Under the supervision of the professors in the department, several researchers are constantly working on their dissertations or habilitation projects. Twice a year, the projects are discussed at joint doctoral colloquia of the teaching area.

If you would like to do a doctorate yourself, please send your request directly to the respective professorship. Prerequisites are an honours degree in the doctoral subject (communication science, communication management; possibly also business administration, political science, sociology), a synopsis of the research project (research questions, method, timetable) and a CV with references and letter of motivation.

If you are interested in working in a team (part-time project positions or scholarships), a non-binding early enquiry around six months before the end of the Master's programme is advisable.

• Jana Brockhaus, M.A.
  (Adviser: Professor Zerfass)
  Positioning corporations in public discourses
• Lara Busch, M.A.
  (Adviser: Professor Zerfass)
  Strategic integration of personalized communciation in corporations
• Jens Hagelstein, M.A.
  (Adviser: Professor Zerfass)
  Image transfers from individuals to organisations. Modelling and empirical investigation of an impact phenomenon of personalised organisational communication in business and politics
• Katharina Heger, M.A.
  (Advisre: Professor Hoffmann)
  Women and Politics. Gender-specific inequalities in four dimensions of political participation in the FRG and the influence of feminist attitudes and identities
• Marco Inderhees, M.A.
  (Adviser: Professor Godulla)
  Co-creation in social media
• Lea Knabben, M.A.
  (Adviser: Professor Hoffmann)
  Institutionalisation of start-up communication. A qualitative study on the establishment and differentiation of the communication function in the start-up process
• Jeanne Link, M.A.
  (Adviser: Professor Zerfass)
  Digital transformation in internal communication
• Ulf Merkel, M.A.
  (Adviser: Professor Hoffmann)
  The construction of online self-representations from an individual-centred perspective using the example of online dating
• Rosanna Planer, M.A., M.Sc.
  (Adviser: Professor Godulla)
  Multimedia Storytelling in Digital Journalism: Development and Status Quo of Complex Multimedia News Stories
• Christina Rueß, M.A.
  (Adviser: Professor Hoffmann)
  Political in Private. On Informal Political Communication in Mobile Instant Messenger Groups
• Daniel Seibert, M.A.
  (Adviser: Professor Wolf)
  The Impact of Deepfakes on Audiences' Reception of Online Media Content and Consequences for Media Coverage
• Lea Waskowiak, M.A.
  (Adviser: Professor Hoffmann)
  Communication and positioning of board members
• Daniel Ziegele, M.A.
  (Adviser: Professor Zerfass)
  Strategic partnering for corporate communications

Completed Doctorates and Habilitations

Numerous managers, academics and researchers have been guided by professors in the department in their dissertation and habilitation projects.

• Andres-Schweizer, Susanne, Dr., M.A.:
  International Corporate Communication in the Globalisation Process: A Study of the Influence of Globalisation on the 250 Largest Companies Based in Germany (Professor Bentele, 2003).
• Beitat, Katja, Dr., M.A., MIntB&L:
  Trust and incidents in medical care: the dynamic of interpersonal trust between patients and practitioners in the context of incidents in medical care and treatment (Professor Bentele, 2014)
• Belgorodski, Tatiana, Dr., M.A., MBA:
  Benefits and use of storytelling in internal communication (Professor Bentele, 2017)
• Binder-Tietz, Sandra Dr., M.A.
  Communication of supervisory board leaders (Professor Hoffmann, 2022)
• Breunlein, Melanie, Dr., M.A.:
  The changing political image of Germany in US daily newspapers (1999-2011) - Images of nations and public trust between states (Professor Bentele, 2016)
• Buchele, Mark-Steffen, Dr., M.A.:
  The value contribution of corporate communication. Theoretical foundations, critical-analytical stocktaking and dimensional modelling (Professor Bentele, 2006)
• Derksen, Jens Reinhard, Dr., M.A.:
  Stories with Studies. Producing attention with rankings, surveys and statistics in journalism and PR (Professor Bentele, 2014)
• Döring, Ulrike, Dr., M.A.:
  Public Relations of the Protestant Church in Germany: A Stocktaking. Historical development, theological and communication policy determinants as well as a critical analysis of professional field-related understandings and activity patterns (Professor Bentele, 1998)
• Dühring, Lisa, Dr., M.A.:
  Reassessing the Relationship between Marketing and Public Relations. New Perspectives from the Philosophy of Science and History of Thought (Professor Zerfaß, 2016)
• Ensign, Birte, Dr, M.A.:
  Science Diplomacy: General Conditions, Goals, Forms and Effects of Strategic Communication in Foreign Science Policy - Theoretical Analysis and Empirical Case Study Using the Example of the Initiative "Advertising Germany as a Research Location" (Professor Bentele, 2012)
• Fechner, Ronny, Dr., M.A.:
  Journalism and Press or Media Relations in the 21st Century. Extension of the interaction model in the context of two case studies (Professor Bentele, 2018)
• Fensch, Martin, Dr.:
  News and fake news about "vaccinating" – thoretical-analytical fundations and a content analysis of Grman print media and YouTube content with moral impact (Professor Bentele, 2021)
• Förg, Birgit, Dr., M.A.:
  Morals and ethics of PR (Professor Bentele, 2002)
• Furchert, Dirk, Prof. Dr., M.A.:
  Conflict management in municipal press relations and public relations (Professor Bentele, 1999)
• Grünberg, Patricia, Dr., M.A.:
  Trust in the Health System. Analytical foundations, a qualitative patient study and a content analysis of trust thematised in the media from 1998 to 2010 (Professor Bentele, 2013) 
• Hartmann, Bernd, M.D., Dipl.-Germ:
  Communication management of cluster organisations. Theoretical frame of reference and empirical results (Professor Zerfaß, 2014). 
• Herkenhoff, Frank, Dr., M.A.:
  Risk Management for Public Relations. Theoretical foundation and instrumental system for managing journalistic risks (Professor Bentele, 2007)
• Hoepfner, Jörg, Dr., M.A.:
  Public Relations for Brands. Analysis, modelling and empirical testing (Professor Bentele, 2010)
• Janke, Katharina, Dr., M.A.:
  Communicating corporate values. Model, concept and multi-method evaluation study on the communication of Bayer AG's corporate values (Professor Bentele, 2012).
• Kiesenbauer, Juliane, Dr., M.A.:
  Competence management for corporate communication: Fundamentals of professionalisation and personnel development in communication management (Professor Zerfaß, 2017)
• Klenk, Volker, Dr., M.A.:
  Mega-events as an instrument of image policy: a multi-method study on images and image effects of the universal world exhibition Expo '92 (Professor Bentele, 1999)
• Köhler, Kristin, Dr., M.A.:
  Institutionalisation of Investor Relations in Germany (Professor Zerfaß, 2014). 
• Krebber, Felix, Dr., M.A.:
  Social acceptance and communication - input-oriented organisational communication in infrastructure projects (Professor Zerfaß, 2015)
• Mammen, Madlen (née Manteufel), Dr., M.A.:
  Credibility in online PR. A multi-method study on the construct of credibility within organisational communication (Professor Bentele, 2010)
• Marzahl, Lisa, Dr., M.A.:
  Environmental communication in a network: perspectives, interests and strategies in the discourse around the Wadden Sea (Professor Zerfaß, 2019)
• Mattke, Christian, M.D., Dipl.-Journ:
  Albert Oeckl - his life and work for German public relations (Professor Bentele, 2005)
• Melzer (née Linke), Anne, Dr., M.A.:
  Managing corporate online communication: Steering concepts, multi-loop processes and governance (Professor Zerfaß, 2014)
• Müller, Wiebke, M.D., Dipl.-Journ:
  The Europe-oriented education and training of journalists and communication professionals. A stocktaking and new models (Professor Bentele, 1997)
• Nothhaft, Howard, Ph.D., M.A.:
  Communication Management as Professional Organisational Practice: Theoretical Approach Based on a Participant Observation Study (Professor Bentele, 2010).
• Oliveira, Evandro, Ph.D., M.A., M.Sc.:
  The Instigatory Theory of NGO Communication (Professor Zerfaß, 2017)
• Rinck, Annette, Ph.D., M.A.:
  Interdependencies between PR and Journalism. An empirical study of media effects using the example of a dialogue-oriented PR strategy by BMW (Professor Bentele, 1998)
• Schaffranietz, Adrian, Dr., M.A.:
  International Political Public Relations and Foreign Cultural and Educational Policy. An analytical stocktaking and empirical study of the communication measures of the visitors' programme of the German cultural intermediary organisation Goethe-Institut for Polish multipliers (Professor Bentele, 2009)
• Schölzel, Hagen, Dr., M.A.:
  Guerrilla Communication. Genealogy of a political form of conflict (Professor Zerfaß, 2011)
• Schönborn, Gregor, Dr., M.A.:
  Corporate culture as a success factor of corporate identity. The importance of corporate culture for the economic success of companies and its strategic relevance in corporate identity (Professor Bentele, 2013) 
• Seidenglanz, René, Dr., M.A.:
  Trust and public relations: theory development and empirical implementation (Professor Bentele, 2014) 
• Seiffert-Brockmann, Jens (née Seiffert), Dr., M.A.:
  Trust in the media society - A theoretical and empirical analysis (Professor Bentele, 2014) 
• Sponholz, Liriam, M.D., Dipl.-Journ:
  Objectivity in Journalism. Concepts and Practice in Brazil and in Germany (Professor Bentele, 2007)
• Stockfisch, Christina, Dr., M.A.:
  PR actors, journalistic actors and their relations in external trade union communication: an analysis of the field of tension between public relations and journalism based on the interaction model (Professor Bentele, 2005)
• Viertmann, Christine (née Wohlgemuth), Dr., M.A.:
  The scapegoat in public communication: an archetypal narrative (Professor Bentele, 2014)
• Volk, Sophia Charlotte Volk, PhD, MA:
  Comparative Communication Research: Conceptual and Methodological Challenges of International Collaborative Studies in Communication Science (Professor Zerfaß, 2021).
• Wiesenberg, Markus, Dr., M.A.:
  Strategic Communication of German Major Churches: From church journalism to strategic church communication (Professor Zerfaß, 2018)
• Winkler, Luisa, Dr., M.A.:
  Genese und Spezifik der Mittelstandskommunikation - Case-based analysis of organisational communication in the industrial SME sector (Professor Zerfaß, 2019)

Former Team Members

Many former researchers in the department are now active as professors or in leadership positions in the professional field of communication management.

In research and teaching

• Bachmann, Dr. Philipp - Lecturer, Institute for Communication and Marketing, Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Switzerland (Research Assistant to Prof. Zerfass)
• Borchers, Dr. Nils S. - Academic Assistant, Institute for Media Studies, University of Tübingen (Research Assistant and Post-Doc with Prof. Zerfaß)
• Dühring, Prof. Dr. Lisa - Professor of Strategic Communication, Institute for Media Management, Ostfalia University of Applied Sciences Salzgitter (Research Assistant and Post-Doc with Prof. Zerfaß)
• Eichhorn, Thomas, Dip.-Soz. - Researcher, German Youth Institute, Munich (Research Assistant to Prof. Hoffmann)
• Fähnrich, PD Dr. habil. Birte - Adjunct professor, Institute for Media and Communication Studies, Freie Universität Berlin & Coordinator Strategic Scientific Communication Policy, Federal Ministry of Education and Research, Berlin (Research Assistant to Prof. Bentele)
• Jürss, Sebastian, M.A. -  Research Associate, Socium Research Centre Inequality and Social Policy, University of Bremen (Research Assistant to Prof. Hoffmann)
• Krebber, Prof. Dr. Felix - Professor of Corporate Communication, Business School, Pforzheim University of Applied Sciences (Research Assistant to Prof. Zerfass)
• Lutz, Christoph, Dr. - Associate Professor, Department for Communication and Culture, BI Norwegian Business School, Oslo, Norway (Research Assistant to Prof. Hoffmann)
• Melzer, Dr. Anne (née Linke) - Lecturer in Social Science, University of Applied Sciences for Public Administration, Police and Administration of Justice of the State of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Güstrow (Research Assistant to Prof. Zerfass)
• Nothhaft, Dr. Howard - Associate Professor, Institute for Strategic Communication, Lund University, Sweden (Research Assistant to Prof. Bentele)
• Oliveira, Prof. Dr. Evandro - Professor, Department of Advertising, Public Relations and Audiovisual Communication, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain (Research Assistant to Prof. Zerfass)
• Raaz, Oliver - Lecturer, Department Organisational Communication, Institute for Media and Communication Studies, Freie Universität Berlin (LfBA to Prof. Bentele)
• Schmiedgen, Prof. Dr. Peter - Professor of Business Administration, esp. Marketing and Event Management, Dresden University of Applied Sciences (Student Research Assistant to Prof. Zerfass)
• Schölzel, Dr. Hagen - Research Associate, Professorship for Political Theory, University of Erfurt (Research Assistant to Prof. Zerfass)
• Seidenglanz, Prof. Dr. René - University President & Professor of Communication Studies, esp. Communication Management, Quadriga University of Applied Sciences Berlin (Research Assistant to Prof. Bentele and Prof. Zerfass)
• Seiffert-Brockmann, Prof. Dr. Jens - Professor of Business Communication, Department of Foreign Language Business Communication, Vienna University of Economics and Business (Research Assistant to Prof. Bentele)
• Skrubbeltrang Mahnke, Dr. Martina - Associate Professor, Department for Communication and Arts, Roskilde University, Denmark (Student Research Assistant to Prof. Zerfass)
• Volk, Dr. Sophia, Senior Assistant/ Senior Research and Teaching Associate, Institute for Communication Science and Media Research, University of Zurich
• Wehmeier, Prof. Dr. habil. Stefan (+ 2018) - University Professor for Organisational Communication, Institute for Political Science and Communication Studies, Ernst-Moritz-Arndt University Greifswald (Research Assistant to Prof. Bentele)

In Business, Administration and Consulting

• Andres-Schweitzer, Dr. Susanne - Communications Consultant, Deutsche Bahn AG, Berlin (Research Assistant to Prof. Bentele)
• Buchele, Dr. Mark-Steffen -  Managing Partner, buchele:cc GmbH (Research Assistant to Prof. Bentele)
• Clauß, Franziska M.A. - Brand Communicatiosn Lead, Labforward, Munich (Research Assistant to Prof. Bentele)
• Enke, Nadja M.A. - Project lead user Research, AOK Plus, Leipzig (Research Assistant to Prof. Wolf)
• Ernst, Nadine M.A. - Managing Director, buchele:cc GmbH (Research Assistant to Prof. Zerfass))
• Georgi, Luise - Project Manager for Academic Continuing Education, Leipzig University (Research Assistant to Prof. Zerfass)
• Grünberg, Dr. Patricia - Head of Administration / Director G&A, Operations, Barkhausen Institute, Dresden (Research Assistant to Prof. Bentele)
• Hoepfner, Dr. Jörg - Consultant for Brand and Communication Strategy, Pirmasens (Research Assistant to Prof. Bentele)
• Janke, Dr. Katharina - Head of Corporate Communications, Stark Germany, Offenbach (Research Assistant to Prof. Bentele)
• Kiesenbauer, Dr. Juliane - Director Marketing & Communications DACH, Staffbase AG, Chemnitz (Research Assistant to Prof. Zerfass)
• Köhler, Dr. Kristin - Global Head of Investor Relations, Dufry Group AG, Zurich, Switzerland (Research Assistant to Prof. Zerfass)
• Liebert, Dr. Tobias - Owner, Analyse & Transfer UG, Weißenfels, Germany (Research Assistant to Prof. Bentele)
• Mahrzahl, Dr. Lisa - Speaker, Landtag von Baden-Württemberg, Stuttgart (Research Assistant to Prof. Zerfass)
• Mammen, Dr. Madlen - Head of University Communications, University of Leipzig (Research Assistant to Prof. Bentele)
• Peter, Dr. Grazyna-Maria - Retired (Research Assistant to Prof. Bentele)
• Terp, Stefanie, M.A. -  Head of Press, Public Relations and Alumni, Technical University of Berlin (Research Assistant to Prof. Bentele)
• Viertmann, Dr. Christine - Head of Office, Günter Thiele Foundation for Communication & Management, Leipzig (Research Assistant to Prof. Bentele)
• Wiesenberg, Dr. Markus - Head of Market Research, Gematik GmbH, Berlin (Research Assistant to Prof. Zerfass)

• Winkler, Dr. Luisa - Head of Corporate Communications and Marketing, Helios Kliniken Mansfeld-Südharz GmbH, Eisleben (Research Assistant to Prof. Zerfass)