Research projects, Cooperation agreements

On October 1, the Collaborative Research Group “Goethe Leadership Centre” officially commenced its operations. Funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) for an initial period of four years, this interdisciplinary consortium of psychology and economics experts examines the role that leadership styles play in overall societal sentiment and democracy. The group aims to explore how leadership can be improved in the interest of society through “Identity Leadership.”
To mark the launch, the center is hosting a public lecture by one of the pioneers of this field of research: Prof. Alexander Haslam of the University of Queensland.

Date: Wednesday, October 28
Time: 4:15 p.m.
Location: Lecture Hall A, Building of Language and Cultural Studies (Rostocker Straße 1), Campus Westend

The lecture is titled “Zombie Leadership: Dead ideas that pander to elites, cultivate powerlessness and erode democracy”.
Prof. Haslam’s central thesis is that today’s organizational and political landscapes are dominated by “Zombie Leadership.” According to Haslam, this style is based on mindsets that have often been debunked yet persist stubbornly. It often attributes leadership to specific individual traits and promotes heroic notions of influence and power. Haslam argues that this image persists because it flatters elites and reinforces their privileged positions and surrounding networks. However, “Zombie Leadership” ultimately undermines collaboration and democracy by reducing the general public to powerless spectators. As a remedy, Prof. Haslam introduces “Identity Leadership,” a modern conception of leadership that emphasizes shared social identity, group-based relationships, and collective goals.
About Alex Haslam
Alex Haslam is Professor of Psychology and a Laureate Fellow at the University of Queensland. He has authored 16 books and more than 350 articles examining the contribution of group and identity processes to social and organizational functioning, with a particular focus on leadership and health. His recent publications include “The New Psychology of Leadership: Identity, Influence and Power”, “The New Psychology of Health: Unlocking the Social Cure”, and “The New Psychology of Sport and Exercise”. Prof. Haslam has received numerous academic honors and was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 2022 for his contributions to psychology.

About the Goethe Leadership Centre
The Collaborative Research Group, officially titled “Rethinking Leadership: Identity-Based Leadership as a Group-Oriented Tool for Analyzing and Addressing the Challenges of Our Time” (or Goethe Leadership Centre) is led by economist Prof. Michael Kosfeld and psychologist Prof. Rolf van Dick who currently serves as the consortium's spokesperson. The center focuses on how leaders can foster a sense of community among employees to improve cooperation, well-being, and resilience. The research builds upon extensive preliminary work conducted by both spokespersons.
The project includes a fellowship program featuring Rudolf Kerschreiter (FU Berlin) and Axel Haslam as permanent fellows, along with 20 additional senior and junior fellows and 60 short-term guests. Three new postdoctoral positions have already been filled, and a W1 professorship (tenure track) has been announced. Members of the research group will meet on November 9 and 10 at the Human Sciences Research College of Goethe University in Bad Homburg to develop a joint research concept. Conferences are planned for 2027 and 2028, followed by a comprehensive international study in 2029 examining Identity Leadership across different cultures, disciplines, and methodologies. The program also includes public lectures and a partnership with the Giersch Museum of Goethe University.

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Wissenschaftlicher Ansprechpartner:
Prof. Dr. Rolf van Dick
Institute of Psychology
Goethe University Frankfurt
Phone: +49 69 798-35285
Email: van.Dick@psych.ui-frankfurt.de
Website: https://www.goethe-leadership.org