I hold a diploma degree (Dipl. Päd.) in educational science, a PhD (Dr. phil.), and the venia legendi "Educational Science" (habil.), and currently work as a professor for ecosocial work and care at Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences and as a certified diversity trainer. Previously, I was a professor for migration and inclusion research at the University of Klagenfurt, a professor ad interim for social pedagogy at the University of Trier, a research associate at the Institute of Education at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, and a scholarship holder and doctoral candidate at the Research Center of Social and Cultural Studies Mainz (SOCUM).
I am one of the editors of the book series "Einführung in die Soziale Arbeit" (Introduction to Social Work) published by Schneider Verlag Hohengehren and member of the editorial team of the journals "Sozialmagazin. Die Zeitschrift für Soziale Arbeit" and "Migration und Soziale Arbeit" published by Beltz Juventa. Until 2018, I was a co-editor of the international journal "Transnational Social Work - A Social Work Journal" published by Routledge.
Furthermore, I serve as a reviewer for scientific journals and publishing houses (such as Forum Qualitative Social Research FQS, Zeitschrift für Migrationsforschung, Press INALCO, Papers of Social Pedagogy, The Annual Review of Social Work and Social Pedagogy in Austria, Zeitschrift für Diversitäts-forschung und -management, VS Books, Springer Social Work, transcript publisher, Bozen-Bolzano University Press, Routledge Books, Bloomsbury Books, Palgrave Macmillan), and I am a member of international advisory boards (e.g., "Springer Series in Social Work and Social Change" and "Springer Briefs in Social Work and Social Change"). I am also a member of the Scientific Committee of the UNESCO Chair "Global Citizenship Education - Culture of Diversity and Peace" and one of the coordinators of the working group "Forced Migration, Agency and Vulnerability" in the German Network for Forced Migration Studies.
In university administration, I am actively involved as a member of appeals and curriculum committees and have gained experience as a deputy equal opportunity representative, mid-level representative, member of the steering commitee for the Diversity Audit, and as an examiner in doctoral and habilitation procedures. Since summer 2024, I have been a ember of the Hessian Doctoral Center of Social Work, focusing on transformative social work.
My research and teaching focuses on ecosocial and green social work, climate crisis and disaster research, inclusion, solidarity & diversity in postmigration society, and inter- and transnational social work. In my current research, I explore social work as disaster relief and and examine solidary engagement and inclusion "from below" in urban spaces (solidarity cities).
I am a Young Science Ambassador at the Agency for Education and Internationalization (OeAD) in Austria. This program fosters cooperation between science and schools, allowing students to engage directly with scientists. I enjoy publishing my research findings in both scientific journals and public media. In summer 2021, I was invited to speak at the World Refugee Day in Klagenfurt (link to a radio report by Radio Agora). In 2020, I collaborated with Minor, Projektkontor für Bildung und Forschung gemeinnützige GmbH in Berlin, to actively support the participatory research project "Women's Science - Situations, Needs and Visions of Refugee Women", funded by the Robert Bosch Foundation.
Since May 2015, I have been working as a diversity & inclusion trainer and am committed to fostering exchange between science, practice, and civil society. Currently, I am collaborating with the association Kärnten andas, the Persian music group Solband, multi media artist and cultural worker Barbara Ambrusch-Rapp, and the rapper Mighty M. aka Himmeldach on the topic of solidarity.
I have practical experience working with girls and women, in migration support, as a trainer in adult education and schools, as well as through national and international volunteer work with UNICEF, a community group in Saarburg, and Caritas in Trier.