Research

Heidelberg University of Education stands for high-quality, interdisciplinary and internationally networked educational research. Our core expertise lies in the investigation of educational, teaching and learning processes: Under what conditions does future-oriented and inclusive education succeed? How do we prepare teachers and other education experts for the challenges of the future?

The PHHD is shaping the education of tomorrow, research-based and practice-orientated. It also contributes to answering relevant social questions, with a particular focus on education for sustainable development (ESD), diversity and inclusion, democracy and media education as well as STEM education.

Vorne sieht man einen Doktoranden und eine Doktorandin im Profil. Im Hintergrund unscharf einen Referenten und drei Personen, die ihm zuhören.

The PHHD is a university with a university profile with traditional doctoral and habilitation rights. We also see ourselves as a centre of excellence and driving force for educational research and development in the Rhine-Neckar metropolitan region. Our research profile is characterised by its wide range of educational science topics and numerous international collaborations.

Drei Männer und zwei Frauen stehen auf der Wiese neben dem Altbau. Und halten verschiedene SDG-Würfel hoch.

We dedicate our research to central social challenges in the field of education. Our focus is on educational research across the entire lifespan, inclusion and heterogeneity, language education and the digital transformation of teaching and learning processes. We also focus intensively on questions of professionalisation in education and interdisciplinary approaches to sustainable development.

Research Career

Knowledge Transfer

Scientific Collaborations

Zu sehen sind zwei Forscherinnen vor einem Plakat im Gespräch.

Doing a doctorate at the Heidelberg University of Education is characterised in particular by practical research with social and educational policy relevance and methodological (innovative) diversity. The University of Education is a place where academic work is located in the centre of everyday educational life and provides concrete benefits. Supervisors encourage a research-based attitude, active participation in teaching and projects and support the early development of an academic profile and networking.

Zwei Männer stehen vor einem Forschungsposter. Der rechte spricht deutlich mit den Händen. Den linken sieht man von schräg hinten.

A habilitation at Heidelberg University of Education offers special opportunities - especially for academics who want to work both with a strong research focus and a practical orientation. Postdoctoral researchers have the opportunity to position their research in a clearly defined and socially relevant field and to distinguish themselves as experts in educational issues. Their academic work is not only convincing on a theoretical level, but also has a concrete impact on educational practice and policy. The habilitation thus becomes a meaningful step with diverse career prospects - in science, teaching, transfer and social organisation.

One of the questions that drives my research is how children can be supported in early foreign language learning so that they can communicate independently as soon as possible. A key focus of my research is the role of chunks (multi-word units) in primary school English lessons. As part of a quantitative analysis of teaching materials, I have investigated the extent to which, and in what forms, chunks are provided in speaking exercises for primary school English lessons. Based on these findings, an intervention study will investigate how and to what extent different chunks can support children in productive speaking in English lessons.

Dr Katja Schwemmer, Assistant Professor of English Language and its Teaching Methods

Using design research, I am investigating how to deliver innovative and open university-level teaching in mathematics. I am particularly interested in the interplay between the flipped classroom, hybrid teaching and science communication. In doing so, I aim to productively combine theory and practice.

Dr Christian Spannagel, Professor of Mathematics and its Didactics

The open experimentation method is significant in relation to the concepts of basic science education and the corresponding educational standards. Unfortunately, however, empirical studies and feedback from teachers show that this method does not necessarily lead to improvements in pupils’ skills, but often overwhelms them. This is where my work comes in. My aim is to improve the implementation of open experimentation in schools.

Dr Armin Baur, Professor of Biology and Biology Education

Graduate School

Ombudsstelle für Konfliktfälle

Research Database