Jeanine Marie Rühle

I am a Doctoral Candidate in the Embracing Transformation Programme at Leuphana University Lüneburg and part of the Regenerative Society Key Subject Area. Working together with Daniel Fischer, my research focuses on Regenerative Education and the role of education in shaping transformative pathways towards more sustainable, inclusive and regenerative societies.

In my research, I explore the interconnections of social-ecological systems in times of multiple crises and investigate how education can contribute to societal transformation towards a regenerative society. My academic interests particularly lie in educational governance, sociology of education, and Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). I place a strong emphasis on social inclusion, sustainable urban development, and participatory approaches that strengthen democratic engagement. I am especially passionate about creating inclusive societies and deeply value learning, working and co-creating with inspiring people from diverse perspectives and backgrounds.

Before joining the Sustainability Education Research Group (SERG), I completed a B.A. in Special Education at the University of Education Heidelberg, where I developed a strong interest in inclusive learning and Education for Sustainable Development. During my M.A. in Educational Science at Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, I focused on the sociology of education and institutions while working at the Competence Centre for Sustainable Development, supporting the implementation of sustainability across the university. As part of the CIVIS programme, I spent an exchange semester at Stockholm University in Sweden, specialising in International and Comparative Education Research (ICER). I later completed an M.Sc. in Sustainability Science at Leuphana University Lüneburg, with a focus on social-ecological systems and sustainable urban development.

Alongside my academic work, I have been actively engaged in the political implementation of Education for Sustainable Development. As a former member of youpan, the German youth panel for ESD, I gained valuable experience in negotiating across different perspectives and shared values while advocating for the broader implementation of ESD, particularly through participatory and inclusive approaches. I also served as youth representative at the German National Platform for ESD and its School Focus Group, as Youth Focal Point on the UNECE Steering Committee on ESD, as UNESCO Chair student representative and as a jury member for the UNESCO National ESD Award 2025.

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