Prof. Dr. Andreas Fischer-Lescano LOEWE top professorship in Kassel

The University of Kassel has been awarded its first top LOEWE professorship. It goes to the legal scholar Prof. Dr. Andreas Fischer-Lescano, who was appointed to the professorship "Just Transitions" at the Faculty of Human Sciences on 1 October. Fischer-Lescano will also be the first member of the board of directors of the new "Kassel Institute for Sustainability", with which the university is strengthening its profile area "Sustainable Transformations". The LOEWE research funding programme of the state of Hessen is providing 1.6 million euros over a period of five years to endow the professorship.

Prime example of LOEWE goals

"The appointment of Prof. Dr. Andreas Fischer-Lescano is a prime example of what we want to and can achieve with LOEWE funding: It is intended to support top-level research in Hessen in creating solutions for the challenges facing our society - for this we need the brightest minds," explains Science Minister Angela Dorn. "Especially in the field of ecological, economic and social sustainability, in which the University of Kassel already has a strong profile which it intends to further expand with this professorship, renowned scientists are in demand internationally, not only at universities and research institutes, but also in business enterprises. Prof. Dr. Andreas Fischer-Lescano has also earned an excellent reputation among students at the University of Bremen, where he has worked until now. We are very pleased that with the LOEWE top professorship we can contribute to him coming to Hessen."
"The Kassel Institute for Sustainability is picking up speed, and with Prof. Fischer-Lescano it is now also getting its first prominent face," emphasises Prof. Dr. Ute Clement, President of the University of Kassel. "The fact that an internationally distinguished scientist like Prof. Fischer-Lescano will be involved in the directorate in the future shows the charisma that the institute already has. In its form, it is unique in Germany, and we are grateful to the state for its support in setting it up."

Focus on ecological transformation

Prof. Dr Fischer-Lescano's professional profile is characterised by a strong inter- and transdisciplinary and international orientation. One of his focal points is the question of how social and ecological transformations can be legally implemented as justly as possible. Prof. Dr. Fischer-Lescano studied law and philosophy in Tübingen, Göttingen, Madrid, Florence and at the Johann Wolfgang Goethe University in Frankfurt, where he also received his doctorate and habilitation. In 2008, he was appointed Professor of Public Law, European Law, International Law and Legal Theory at the University of Bremen, where he was also Executive Director of the Centre for European Legal Policy (ZERP).

Kassel Institute for Sustainability

Under the direction of Prof. Dr. Fischer-Lescano and three other board members, the "Kassel Institute for Sustainability" will bundle top competence in research and teaching for the entire thematic range of the Sustainable Development Goals defined by the United Nations. These 17 "Sustainable Development Goals" extend far beyond environmental topics. With the support of the State of Hessen, the University of Kassel is establishing up to 17 professorships in the Kassel Institute for Sustainability to follow these goals. New sustainability degree programmes are also being established. More professorships will be filled in the coming weeks and months. The kick-off conference begins on 14 September. Framed by keynotes on the corner topics of nature, technology, culture and society, the conference will bring together presentations and discussions from the broad spectrum of issues surrounding the sustainability goals in a total of 25 different panels.
LOEWE Top Professorships provide excellent, internationally recognised researchers with funding of between 1.5 and 3 million euros for five years.