Report Anna Bobe

You are researching teaching in vocational training in social pedagogy. What exactly do we not understand and why do you want to change this?

Early childhood education is an important first foundation for further educational pathways. Teachers of social pedagogy vocational education specialists who work in child daycare centres, among other places. However, in order to enable the highest possible degree of professionalisation in this area, we still know far too little about how teaching should be designed in order to learn social pedagogical action. Although didactic approaches have existed since the 1980s, there is still a lack of empirical research on how teachers actually teach and what they orientate themselves towards (didactically and methodologically).

How do you conduct your research?

In my view, teaching is a highly routinised (everyday) action by teachers. This makes it difficult to explain to others how and why they acted in this way. Therefore, I observed lessons in a participatory manner in order to be able to ask questions about the (observed) actions on this basis. At the same time, I was able to mirror my own observations to the teachers and, in addition to their own statements, observe how these were reflected in their actions or whether there were deviations.

How would you describe the part of the Leuphana Doctoral Research Group for your dissertation project?

Through the events at the programme, especially the reflection and interpretation workshop and the colloquia, I was able to take my first steps in academia and (learn to) present myself and my topic. The interdisciplinarity enabled me to look at my project from other perspectives, to find new ways or solutions to challenges or to reinforce my previous approach. For me as a research assistant at the university, the doctoral research group also opens up a contact space with external doctoral candidates and scholarship holders. This exchange is very beneficial for everyone.

What advice can you give to people who want to pursue a doctorate?

Of course, there is a lot of pressure, if only because of the professional framework and funding. From my perspective, it is nevertheless important to give yourself time to develop and find your own path in order to maintain the joy of research. At the same time, networking, self-organisation and creative breaks are key.