Institute of Social Work and Social Pedagogy
The research activities of the institute are grouped around the overarching theme of "Social Pedagogy in Diverse Societies". The institute's teaching and research take account of current societal challenges, which are characterized by an increasing differentiation and heterogenization of life situations, identities and related social problems. Accordingly, the resulting disciplinary, professional and practical consequences for social pedagogy must be empirically mapped and theoretically penetrated.
At the institute we focus on nationally and internationally significant topics in social work studies. We conduct empirical research and strengthen theory developments in the following areas:
- Childhood and youth research with a special focus on (re)productions of social inequalities
- Didactics and vocational training research in social work and social pedagogy
- Diversity and discrimination sensitivity in social work professions
- Intergroup processes in social (educational) contexts
- Processes of addressing in social work
- Professionalization and organizational development in the context of (refugee) migration, transnationalization, and national welfare states
- Trust research
The research areas pages provide information about ongoing and completed research projects by the institute's members. The following externally funded research projects are currently underway at the institute:
Anti-discrimination counseling in schools: practices, professionalization processes, and experiences of students and parents affected by racism
Duration: October 1, 2025 - September 30,2028
Project lead: Prof. Dr. Ellen Kollender
KoDiTa - Constructive Diversity Talk for Future Teachers
Duration: April 1, 2025 – March 31, 2027
Project lead: Prof. Dr. Birte Siem, Prof. Dr. Philipp Sandermann, Dr. Iniobong Essien
Cooperation between learning locations in teacher training – vocational training in social pedagogy (LevEL)
Duration: October, 2025 - December, 2026
Project lead: Prof. Dr. Anke Karber
Futures of remembering in a post migrant society: Conflicts, Continuities, Competition
Duration: August 1, 2025 - October 31, 2026
Project lead: Prof. Dr. Kevin Drews, Prof. Dr. Ellen Kollender, Prof. Dr. Monika Schoop (all: Leuphana University Lueneburg)
Research Project on Discrimination Based on Perceived Age as too Young
Duration: October 1, 2024 - December 31, 2025
Project lead: Prof. Dr. Lars Alberth, Prof. Dr. Birte Siem
JuPaCo - Long term psychosocial consequences of the SARS-Cov-2 pandemic for young people
Duration: October 1, 2023 - December 31, 2025
Lead JuPaCo quali: Prof. Dr. Claudia Equit
Collaborative Project: Development of a Nationwide Support Program for Municipalities to Establish Their Own Youth Budgets
Duration: November 1, 2024 - December 31, 2025
Project lead: Prof. Dr. Lars Alberth
Theories and Methods of Childhood Studies
Prof. Dr. Lars Alberth
Social Pedagogy specialized in Research on Vocational Education and Didactics
Prof. Dr. Anke Karber
Inclusion and Diversity
Prof. Dr. Ellen Kollender
Social Pedagogy
Prof. Dr. Philipp Sandermann
Social and Organisational Psychology of Social Work
Prof. Dr. Birte Siem
Social Pedagogy, in particular Comparative Child Welfare Service Research
vacant
Social Pedagogy, in particular Diversity Research
Prof. Dr. Maren Zeller
The research areas at the institute take an interdisciplinary social science approach to numerous internationally relevant topics in social pedagogy, such as child and youth welfare and child protection; domestic violence, inequalities, stereotyping and prejudice (especially gender, age, ethnicity, religion); (forced) migration; vocational training; trust and empathy in professional-client relationships.
Qualitative, quantitative and mixed-methods approaches are used. At the same time, the anchoring in essential reference disciplines of social pedagogy (educational science, psychology and sociology) and interdisciplinary joint research projects play a decisive role for the institute.
Leuphana is the only university in Germany to offer a program structure that offers the entire spectrum of academic qualifications in the field of social work. We provide first-year students a polyvalent BA that opens up career paths in vocational teaching of social pedagogy, field-oriented master's programs, and practical work. For the latter career path, state recognition as a social worker can also be obtained at Leuphana. The full-time M.Ed. program allows students to pursue a career in teaching. The full-time M.Sc. program offers an early entry into an academic career in social work. Finally, we offer a corresponding doctoral program for doctoral studies. There is also the option of studying in part-time BA and MA formats.
Full-time degree programmes in social pedagogy at Leuphana College and Graduate School:
- B.A. Social Pedagogy
- M.Ed. Teaching Social Pedagogy at Vocational Schools
- Starts in winter term 2026-27: M.Sc. “Social Work Research” (taught in English)
Part-time degree and certificate programmes in social pedagogy at Leuphana Professional School:
At Leuphana University, you have the option to receive a PhD in social pedagogy that is embraced by the doctoral degree: Doctorate in Philosophy (Dr. phil.). Leuphana’s doctoral programme serves you with a respective Doctoral Research Group on Social Pedagogy/Social Work.
For more information on Leuphana’s doctoral programme, please visit:https://www.leuphana.de/en/graduate-school/doctorate.html