Practice-oriented research that founders & firms can use tomorrow
I connect entrepreneurship research, creative strategy, and real-world experimentation. My goal as a Prae Doc at WU is to co-create publishable research that also ships usable tools: evidence-based playbooks, datasets, and decision aids for founders, intrapreneurs, and policy partners.
Motivation
Dear Selection Committee,
I am applying for the Prae Doc PhD position in Entrepreneurship and Innovation at WU because I strongly believe in WU’s mission to combine academic excellence with practice-oriented impact. My career to date has been about translating research, creativity, and entrepreneurial thinking into initiatives that not only generate knowledge but also shape practice. I see the Prae Doc role as the ideal environment to contribute to world-class research while equipping students and practitioners with actionable tools.
My academic background (MA in Applied Human Geography, MA in German Philology, and executive education at MIT Bootcamps, Cambridge, and THNK) is complemented by a decade of professional work at the intersection of entrepreneurship, innovation, and creativity. Through initiatives such as the Moonshot Celebration and the Future of Humanity Experience, I have convened founders, policymakers, and citizens to test ideas, scale learnings, and translate them into formats accessible to entrepreneurs, students, and institutions. These experiences have strengthened my research interests in entrepreneurial discovery, human–AI collaboration in venture creation, and the ways creativity can inform innovation pedagogy.
As a Prae Doc at WU, I am eager to develop rigorous, empirical research that is directly relevant for entrepreneurs, while contributing to teaching, student supervision, and cross-sector collaborations. I bring not only methodological skills in empirical social research but also a track record of building bridges between academia, industry, and society. I am excited to contribute to WU’s vibrant academic community and to learn from its distinguished faculty.
Thank you for considering my application. I would be honored to join WU and contribute to its excellence in research and teaching.
Best regards,
How I’ll contribute at WU
- Active research: design & execute practice-oriented studies; journal-aimed papers + open playbooks that turn findings into founder-usable routines.
- Teaching: problem-based, sprint-driven formats (venture labs, design sprints, Human–AI for founders) incl. exams/evaluations.
- Student supervision: co-supervise BA/MA theses on discovery/validation, GTM analytics, responsible AI adoption.
- Institute support: structured coordination of partners, events, and communications.
Why I’m a strong match
- Degrees: MA Applied Human Geography; MA German Philology; executive education (MIT Bootcamps, University of Cambridge, THNK).
- Focus: entrepreneurship education, creative decision-making, human–AI collaboration in venture creation.
- Empirical skills: surveys, interviews/ethnography, quasi-experiments, KPI modeling; reproducible workflows.
- Languages: English (C2), German (C1), Polish (native); confident public communicator.
Teaching approach
- Problem-based learning: weekly labs with deliverables (customer interviews, JTBD maps, experiment backlogs).
- Assessment: evidence quality, iteration speed, reflection memos, peer reviews, responsible AI policy adherence.
- Innovation pedagogy: design thinking × effectuation × lightweight analytics; studio-style critiques; creative manual and cognitive methodologies.
Modules I can deliver
- Entrepreneurial Discovery & Validation (BA/MA)
- Human–AI Collaboration for Founders
- Story, Strategy & Stakeholders (GTM communication)
- Impact Metrics for Early-Stage Ventures
Selected Experience
Moonshot Celebration
- Global public-engagement initiative sending human wishes to the Moon; bridges culture, technology & ethics.
- Program design, partnerships, sponsorships, media collaborations.
Future of Humanity Experience
- Concept → curation → delivery; cross-sector speakers; measurable audience engagement.
- Davos edition • Basel edition
Creative Switzerland
- Community platform (100+ workshop providers); entrepreneurship education & ecosystem convening.
- Designed space × creativity activations (“Send Your Art to the Moon”).
Ministry of Creativity LLC
- Strategy & storytelling for venture initiatives; led multi-stakeholder programs (WEF Davos, Basel, UNOG).
- Translated innovation topics (AI ethics, future of work) into public engagement formats.
Fellowships & Recognitions
- MIT Solve Champion (2025).
- MIT Bootcamps — Venture Scaling; Alumni Governance Board.
- The Break EU Fellowship — selected 300/4200+.
- THNK School of Creative Leadership — Lead with Courage.
- University of Cambridge — Creativity certificates & guest sessions.
- Most Inspirational Women of Web3 & AI (2024).
- European Youth Award Finalist (2019).
Affiliations & Leadership
- Fellow & Swiss Ambassador — Royal Society of Arts (RSA).
- President, Switzerland Chapter — Multiplanetary Society.
- Member — Human Space Program / Overview Roundtable.
- Mentor — Cambridge Judge, MIT Solve, SINGA Factory, Women+++, Startup Weekends.
Academic & Practitioner Engagements
- University of Cambridge — guest sessions on creativity & entrepreneurship (2024/2025).
- Bath Spa University — creative leadership workshops (2024).
- Sydney Business School — guest talks (2023/2024).
- Jagiellonian University — “Creativity Is Everything” series (2020/2021).
- Possibility Studies Network Conference — invited talk (2025).
Selected Public Talks
- Future of Humanity — Davos & Basel (2025).
- Art Basel — Future of Humanity Experience (2025).
- Women in Web3 Summit — Davos (2024).
- AI × Experience Design — What’s Next Forum, Zurich (2024).
- Leadership Summit — Portugal (2023).
- UN Social Innovations — UNOG, Geneva (2018).
Topics
- Entrepreneurship education & innovation pedagogy
- Human–AI collaboration & ethics
- Public communication & creative ecosystems
- Cross-sector partnerships for sustainability
Publications & Media
- Creative Bites — newsletter & podcast (editorial on creativity, entrepreneurship, AI).
- Book chapter: Activate Your Life, Vol. 4 — “Creative Bites: The Dance of Ideas, Sky, and Trust” (2023).
- Emerging Skills: Digital Innovations in Lifelong Learning — RSA/partners report (contributor/editorial involvement).
- Forbes DACH — Re-imagining the Way We Travel (2020).
- Redefining Digital Marketing with Human-Centered Design — Zurich (2019).
- Gen Z: How the Creators of Big Data Challenge the Travel Industry — Turismo ’18, IPDT (2018).
Key links
Focus areas
- Entrepreneurship education
- Innovation & creative methods
- Responsible AI for ventures
- Public communication