From AI in Pension Insurance to the Trade Conflict: Zeppelin University Honors Outstanding Theses

Friedrichshafen. Artificial intelligence in pension insurance, new models of business succession, sustainability reporting, and the impact of geopolitical conflicts on the media and businesses: Graduates of Zeppelin University (ZU) addressed these and other current issues in their theses. During the graduation ceremony for the 47th graduating class, five outstanding bachelor’s, master’s, and research theses were honored.

The “Best Bachelor’s Thesis Award,” worth 300 euros and given to the best bachelor’s thesis in each field, was awarded to Lorenz Habsburg-Lothringen in the field of economics and Yelyzaveta Rudnieva in the field of political science, public administration, and international relations. The “Best Master’s Thesis Award,” also worth 300 euros, for the best master’s thesis went to Noah Ciosses in the field of Economics and Victoria von Frese in the field of Political Science, Public Administration, and International Relations. The awards were presented by ZU President Professor Dr. Anja Achtziger.

In addition, the “Gips-Schüle Student Research Award,” sponsored by the Stuttgart-based Gips-Schüle Foundation and endowed with 300 euros, was presented. The award went to Vanessa Dirks in the field of Political Science, Public Administration, and International Relations. The award was presented by Dr. Stefan Hofmann, Executive Director of the Gips-Schüle Foundation, which supports research, young scholars, and teaching in Baden-Württemberg.

The award-winning theses at a glance:

• Lorenz Habsburg-Lothringen: “Search Funds as an Emerging Succession Model for European SMEs”

• Yelyzaveta Rudnieva: “Narrative Reactions to Sanctions in Russia during the Russian Invasion of Ukraine: A Qualitative Content Analysis of Framing Patterns in Russian Online Media between 2022 and 2025”

• Noah Ciosses: “Enhancing the ESRS-compliant sustainability reporting of ZF Friedrichshafen AG”

• Victoria von Frese: “Between Power Politics and Market Logic: To What Extent Do German Companies Demonstrate Organizational Resilience in Dealing with the Sino-American Trade Conflict?”

• Vanessa Dirks: “Acceptance Research on the Use of Artificial Intelligence in the German Pension Insurance Fund of Baden-Württemberg”

The awards were presented during the graduation ceremony for the 47th graduating class. At the ZF Campus of ZU and in the Dornier Museum, approximately 250 guests joined the graduates in celebrating their bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Anja Achtziger congratulated the graduates on their degrees and wished them every success in their future endeavors. The keynote address that followed was delivered by Professor Dr. Simon Koschut, holder of the ZEPPELIN Chair of International Security Policy. In his speech, he offered the graduates this advice: “Have the courage to make your own decisions. Make decisions that you can stand by, and have the courage to say: ‘This is my position, and I stand by it.’” Finally, Amar Günther and Leonie Asam reflected on their time as students at ZU in their student speeches.