CLIMATE AND EARTH
SYSTEM SCIENCES
Photo: UHH/Denstorf
24 January 2023
Photo: private
The first time I heard about the Climate Leadership Journey (CLJ) was through a Professor from SICSS in 2021, however, when he mentioned the program to us the application period was already over for that year. At the beginning of this year (2022), a colleague of mine reminded me about the program, and then I applied.
I think what motivated me the most is that I have always been searching for ways to connect the academic world to the business one. Especially when seeking solutions to the climate crisis, a problem that affects all areas of society, it is extremely necessary to integrate different actors’ perspectives.
The CLJ runs from April to December. The application period was from the end of February until mid-March. The process was pretty simple: I had to upload my CV and record a 2 minutes video to talk about my climate-related experiences and motivation. After a few weeks, I received an email with an offer to participate in the program.
What I like the most about the program is the variety of perspectives and climate-related topics it offers to the participants. Every month we have at least three workshops that we can attend with special guests. I had the opportunity to listen and talk to politicians, scientists, entrepreneurs, and students from other universities and countries.
I believe this program is a great opportunity to expand your network and learn from different points of view. It is not easy to find learning environments that provide you with science and entrepreneurship at the same time. Besides the climate-related workshops and lessons the CLJ offers, it also encourages the participants to develop leadership skills through teamwork, and practical competencies that are usually not taught in universities, for instance, systems thinking. And of course, the summer school is incredible: Two weeks of intensive learning and teamwork, while making new friends, enjoying the city, and having some beers in the evening!
Since I started the Master’s program at SICSS, I knew I wanted to work in corporations after graduating. I find it crucial that academia and business are connected on a daily basis, and joining the CLJ made me realize that it is possible. So as a climate scientist, I would like to apply all the knowledge I’ve learned in the past two years to the enterprise world and help firms effectively reduce their GHG emissions and undertake concrete climate actions.