New at the WiSo: Prof Dr Lisa Handke
Prof. Dr. Lisa Handke – Junior Professorship for Business Psychology
Team spirit despite distance – Prof Dr Lisa Handke introduces herself.
What is your research focus?
My research focuses on virtual collaboration. This includes, for example, how the loss of a shared physical working environment affects communication, coordination and team bonding. In particular, I am interested in how and under what circumstances teams and their members adapt their behavior to the demands of the virtual working environment and how they can be supported in doing so.
Why this topic/these topics?
It’s not just since the coronavirus pandemic that I’ve been convinced that the future of work should and will enable an ever greater degree of flexibility through virtual collaboration. However, the consideration of the necessary structures, especially at team level, is often missing in the discussions and corresponding company agreements. How do you maintain the ability to act as a team despite a high degree of individual flexibility, and how do you feel connected despite the physical distance?
Your last stop before going to FAU?
Freie Universität Berlin (FU Berlin)
Your favorite place at the FAU?
The castle garden is beautiful! But I’m sure I’ll discover many more favorite places near my workplace in Nürnberg.
Your most useful tool as a professor?
As a psychologist, of course I have to be able to watch and listen well, but without my laptop I would be completely lost.
What career aspirations did you have as a child?
I’ve always loved cooking and baking, and for a long time I dreamed of having my own café. As a child and teenager, I also had a small laboratory in the garage with a Bunsen burner, microscope and the like, and I had a vague idea of a career in biochemistry or pharmacy. The main thing was that it was something completely different from my parents (teacher, psychologist)!
When I’m not a professor,…
…I’m mainly a mum, so I spend a lot of time at playgrounds, zoos, swimming pools and amusement parks.
To balance out my (care) work, I like to do sport, read and cook.
What have you always wanted to do?
Learning to play the piano, writing a book and crossing the Alps.