His journey from Fontainebleau to a distinguished academic career highlights not only the rigour of INSEAD’s PhD Programme but also the institution’s unique role as a truly transnational business school.
Christian joined INSEAD’s PhD Programme in 1993 and completed it in just four years, a swift timeline compared to the standard five or six years. But his eagerness to graduate quickly wasn’t a reflection of wanting to leave—rather, he was surrounded by exceptionally talented peers who inspired him to push forward.“
I loved every single day at INSEAD,” he recalls. “The school and the city of Fontainebleau were an incredible environment, but I also felt the need to move on and start my academic career.”
Reflecting on how INSEAD has grown since his time there, Christian sees the institution’s transformation from a European business school to a truly global one.“
INSEAD is one of the few organisations in the world that is truly transnational. It doesn’t belong to any country or culture—it is truly international,” he explains. “At a time when the world is experiencing rising geopolitical tensions, we need more institutions like INSEAD, which foster collaboration across borders.”
Christian fondly remembers his PhD classmates, who came from a wide range of nationalities and backgrounds.“
I was part of an incredibly diverse group—a Canadian, a Belgian, a Dutch student, and me, a German,” he says. “We met on the first day and took our research methodology, statistics, and behavioural sciences courses together. The diversity was never a source of friction; it was something we celebrated.”
This global mindset extended beyond the classroom. “INSEAD had cultural traditions like National Weeks—a German Week, a Scandinavian Week—where different student groups showcased their cultures. It reinforced the idea that we were part of a truly international community.”
One of the defining aspects of Christian’s INSEAD experience was learning how to ask the right research questions.“
In academia, the hardest part isn’t just how you conduct research—it’s what you choose to research,” he explains. “At INSEAD, we learned that a great research project isn’t just about having the best methods—it’s about tackling important, real-world problems.”
This mindset has guided his research career at Wharton. “INSEAD is unique because it’s only a business school. There’s a strong focus on solving business problems rather than engaging in purely theoretical exercises. That proximity to the real world is something you don’t always see in traditional elite universities.”
Christian believes business schools should play a larger role in addressing global challenges beyond profit maximisation.“
We are at a defining moment where business schools have a responsibility to contribute to solving issues like climate change, misinformation, and global trade tensions,” he argues. “We already have a wealth of research in these areas, and we need to ensure that our insights reach policymakers and decision-makers.”
This shift in focus, he notes, is something he sees happening at INSEAD and Wharton alike. “There’s a growing awareness that research needs to extend beyond academia—to influence policymaking, regulation, and societal impact.”
When asked about the future of institutions like INSEAD and Wharton, Christian emphasises stability.“
In a world that is constantly changing, institutions like INSEAD and Wharton need to remain stable anchors,” he says. “Of course, our research and teaching will evolve, but our core mission—to use business as a force for good—must stay constant.”
He expresses concerns about rising geopolitical tensions and their potential impact on academia but believes that universities must remain centers of knowledge, problem-solving, and collaboration.“
I’d rather have INSEAD and Wharton tackling global challenges than leaving them in the hands of politicians,” he says. “We are a force for good in the world, and we must ensure we stay on course.”
Christian shares a memorable piece of advice from one of his professors who told students:“Nobody promised you a rose garden.”
“The PhD journey is tough,” he explains. “It’s a five- or six-year commitment, and research is inherently frustrating because you’re working on complex, ill-defined problems. That’s why they need research in the first place—because they’re not easy to solve.”
But despite the challenges, Christian describes his PhD experience at INSEAD as one of the most rewarding journeys of his life.“
You will feel stupid, you will feel lonely, and you will feel frustrated at times,” he admits. “But the friends you make, the faculty who support you, and the research you contribute to the world make it all worth it.”
As an INSEAD PhD graduate and a Wharton professor, Christian carries the values, mindset, and research approach he developed at INSEAD into his career.
“This programme deserves to be talked about and celebrated,” he says. “INSEAD shaped who I am as a researcher, and I hope future generations of PhD students experience the same intellectual and personal transformation.”