Prof. Dr. Patrick Ulrich

• Vice Dean of Studies, Studies Dean International Business, member of the Senate
• Spokesperson of the Doctoral Committee (FE I) in the Baden-Württemberg Doctoral Association (BW-CAR)
• Associate professor at the Faculty of Social and Business Sciences at the University of Bamberg

• Around 20 years of consulting experience in start-ups, SMEs, family businesses and large corporations
• Practical experience at Bosch, Deloitte and the Fraunhofer Competence Center for Business Models, among others
• Industries: Automotive industry, Mechanical Engineering, consumer goods, healthcare, insurance economics; insurance business

• Course of studies at the universities of Hagen, Bamberg and Seville
• Doctorate and habilitation (postdoctoral qualification) at the University of Bamberg
• Many years of teaching and research experience in Germany and abroad as well as work in continuing education

• Member of supervisory and advisory boards (including Deloitte Best Managed Companies Award)
• Member of editorial boards of 1. science and scholarshop journals (e.g. ZRFC)
• Active member of professional associations such as the AIS, the ICV and the VHB

The research of Prof. Dr. habil. Patrick Ulrich's research addresses companies of all sizes - with particular expertise in SMEs and family businesses. He is one of the few scientists in the German-speaking world to combine management, management accounting and Information Systems (IS) into an integrated research approach. His work includes central issues of GRC, management accounting, strategic management, Sustainability, digital transformation and cybersecurity.

• Empirical, interdisciplinary and application-oriented
• close collaboration, cooperation with companies, ministries and international partners
• Focus on effective solutions for Governance, Controlling and Transformation

1. governance, risk & compliance (GRC)

• Further development of modern governance, risk and compliance systems
• Integration of ESG, CSRD and ESRS requirements
• Contribution of GRC to corporate value, transparency and resilience

2. digital transformation

• AI and data applications in management accounting and management
• Cybersecurity, IS Governance and digital resilience
• Strategic design of the twin transformation (digital & sustainable)

3. management accounting & control

• Further development of management accounting, planning and performance systems
• Strategic planning and modern controller roles in the digital environment
• Family Governance and control logics in family-run companies

Prof. Dr. habil. Patrick Ulrich supervises internal and external doctorates, which are characterized by high academic quality and practical relevance. Many projects are developed in close collaboration, cooperation with companies and are preferably carried out in structured doctoral programmes or part-time models.

Interested applicants can apply by e-mail, email and should submit the following supporting documents in PDF format:

• Letter of motivation
• Brief synopsis of the planned doctoral topic
• Current Curriculum Vitae (UK), resumé (US)
• Relevant certificates; degrees/credentials

Important notes

Please note that full-time part-time doctorates will only be considered in exceptional cases. In addition, there are none of our supervision capacities available until the end of 2026.

Doctorates are supervised both at the university (as an associate professor at the University of Bamberg) and inter-university [Adjektiv] at the Doctoral Center of the Baden-Württemberg Doctoral Association (BW-CAR). This means that different doctoral paths can be implemented.

A central element of the supervision, counselling, support mentoring are the doctoral seminars at Aalen University of Applied Sciences, which take place around three to four times a year. Here, doctoral candidates present their research projects, receive intensive feedback and benefit from 1. science and scholarshop (allgem.) exchange.

In addition, the doctoral candidates take part in the BW-CAR research training group (for doctoral students), scientific conferences and other Colloquiums.

Prof. Ulrich is currently supervising around 15 doctoral degree procedures. In addition, 10 doctorates have already been successfully completed. Many of the theses are published in the highly-respected series Strategic Management and Controlling by Springer Gabler.

• Inquiries from students are given priority
• Answers usually within 48 hours on working days
• A reminder after 2 days is welcome

• Please include details of item, format, publication and length of discussion
• Priority is given to topics related to my research focus

• Welcome in the field (of) research, knowledge transfer and practical projects
• Please include a brief outline of the objective, timeframe, institutions involved and role

• Possible in case of professional proximity to my special fields
• Required: short research proposal (max. 3 pages), thematic classification, motivation and timetable