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Research
The research activities of the Faculty of Social Sciences build on the themes of recent years and respond to current developments in social work practice and the social context of Social Work. The research topics thus address overarching developments in a society undergoing transformation and their effects on social circumstances and Social Work itself, as these continue to characterise the new federal states in a particular way.
- Changes in living conditions, with particular attention to the impact of labour and social policy regulatory instruments (ALG II) on the issue of poverty in Saxony.
- The effects of the changing world of work, on a global and regional scale, on the conditions for the professionalisation of social services and organisations.
- Innovative empirical and intervention-based approaches to specific target groups (e.g. teenage pregnancy, young mothers with disabilities, disadvantaged women, female asylum seekers, etc.) in specific settings and organisational contexts (e.g. health-promoting schools).
- The lasting effects of experiences of dictatorship and their relevance for specific target groups (e.g. long-term effects of politically motivated imprisonment in the GDR, European and regional remembrance work relating to Nazi crimes and experiences of flight).
- Crime and violence prevention within the framework of youth welfare services, taking into account a gender perspective and far-right ideologies.
Ongoing research projects
Project lead:
Prof. Dr. phil. Simon Moses Schleimer
Duration:
August 2026 to December 2026
Commissioning body:
Mittelsachsen District, Foreigners’ and Asylum Authority
Research and student assistants:
N.N, René Rothemund
Summary:
The aim of the project is to systematically evaluate the extent to which the digital assistant is being used to support social integration in Central Saxony, and to identify the requirements for its further development and establishment. To this end, the existing features of the digital assistant will be analysed and evaluated, areas for further development identified, and their feasibility assessed.
The evaluation will be carried out in close consultation with decision-makers and will serve as a strategic basis for the further development and establishment of the digital assistant for social integration in Central Saxony.
Project lead:
Duration:
March 2024 to May 2027
Commissioning body:
State Ministry for Science and the Arts (SMWK) – Saxony
Project team:
Sophia Lorenz, M.A.
Summary:
This research project examines violent assaults on Social Work practitioners by non-staff members, thereby addressing the growing significance of this hitherto under-researched issue. The aim is to systematically investigate the occurrence of such assaults, as well as the individual, team-related and organisational factors influencing them, across various fields of Social Work. Based on the findings, appropriate recommendations for action and intervention strategies for the prevention and management of violence will be developed. The findings are intended to help improve the working conditions of social workers, reduce health-related stress and strengthen occupational health and safety in the long term.
Project lead:
Duration:
April 2026 to November 2026
Funding body:
Mittelsachsen District
Project team members:
Tabea Esche (M.A.), Pauline Köhler (M.A.), Clara Dietrich (B.A.)
Summary
The Child and Youth Empowerment Act (KJSG) provides for a phased reform of SGB VIII by 1 January 2028. By this date, youth welfare offices are to be responsible for all children and young people, regardless of whether they have a disability or not.
This reform of SGB VIII gives rise to new requirements for youth welfare planning, particularly with regard to the inclusive participation of young people with disabilities. The district administration faces the challenge of preparing organisational and substantive measures to implement inclusive youth welfare planning.
The aim of the academic support is to assist the Mittelsachsen district, in close consultation with decision-makers from the administration and service providers, in analysing current planning practices with regard to inclusive elements and in preparing the conceptual framework for the implementation of inclusive youth welfare planning.
Project lead:
Duration:
March 2023 to September 2026
Project sponsor:
Jobcentre Mittelsachsen; the ‘Kopfstand’ project is funded by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs and by the specialist agency ‘rehapro’
Project team members:
Sarah Klein (B.A. in Social Work), Katrin Naumann (M.A. in Social Work)
Summary:
The “Kopfstand” project run by the Mittelsachsen Job Centre aims to maintain or restore the employability of people with health impairments more effectively than before: “prevention before rehabilitation” and “rehabilitation before retirement”.
Mittweida University of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences, is scientifically evaluating and monitoring the implementation of the ‘Kopfstand’ project and its impact. The aim is to investigate whether and how the long-term unemployed with health conditions can be supported and guided through intensive, placement-oriented and holistic support, utilising health mentors.
The project is being carried out in cooperation with the Mittelsachsen Jobcentre as part of the federal programme ‘Innovative Ways to Participate in Working Life’.
Project lead:
Duration:
April 2026 to March 2027
Commissioning body:
Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA)
Project team:
Dr. habil. Michael Knoll, Sophia Lorenz, M.A.
Summary:
This research project focuses on the prevention of harassment and violence in personal services, thereby addressing the need for action set out in ILO Convention No. 190. As part of the project, the current state of scientific knowledge on harassment and violence is being reviewed and expanded, and practical design principles for the protection of employees are being developed. A key focus of this analysis is on investigating the effectiveness of de-escalation training as an approach to preventing harassment and violence. The findings are intended to highlight the conditions under which de-escalation training is effective, which training approaches have proven successful, and which factors promote their sustainable implementation.
Completed research projects
Project lead:
Prof. Dr Stephan Beetz
Duration:
April 2023 – June 2025
In collaboration with the Saxon Children and Youth Association
Project lead:
Prof. Dr Stephan Beetz
Duration:
April 2023 – December 2024
Further information on the project: more
Project lead:
Prof. Dr Stephan Beetz
Duration:
March 2023 – April 2026
Further information on the project: more
Project lead:
Prof. Dr Isolde Heintze
Duration:
March 2022 – December 2023
Further information on the project: more
Project lead:
Prof. Dr Stephan Beetz
Duration:
February 2022 – April 2025
Further information on the project: more
Project lead:
Prof. Dr Sebastian Noll
Duration:
March 2022 – December 2023
Further information on the project: more
Project lead:
Prof. Dr Matthias Vodel (Faculty Applied Computer Sciences and Biosciences), Prof. Dr Isolde Heintze (Faculty of Social Sciences)
Duration:
September 2020 – August 2022
Further information on the project: more
Project lead:
Prof. Dr Isolde Heintze
Duration:
July 2020 – March 2021
Further information on the project: more
Project lead:
Prof. Dr. disc. pol. Asiye Kaya
Duration:
March 2020 – December 2022
Further information on the project: more
Project lead:
Prof. Dr Stephan Beetz
Duration:
December 2019 – November 2022
Partners:
Berlin University of Applied Sciences
Practice partners:
Saxony State Association for Sociocultural Affairs, Saxony Adult Education Association
Further information on the project: more
Project lead:
Prof. Dr. disc. pol. Asiye Kaya
Duration:
September 2019 – August 2020
Detailed information on the project: Study on empowerment for Sinti*ze and Rom*nja now available: more
Project lead:
Prof. Dr Stephan Beetz, Prof. Dr Isolde Heintze
Duration:
July 2019 – December 2020
Further information on the project: more
Project lead:
Prof. Dr Isolde Heintze
Duration:
August 2019 – December 2019
Further information on the project: more
Project lead:
Prof. Dr Isolde Heintze
Duration:
July 2019 – November 2019
Further information on the project: more
Project lead:
Prof. Dr. phil. Stephan Beetz
Duration:
September 2018 – August 2021
Further information on the project: more
Project lead:
Prof. Dr. phil. Stephan Beetz
Duration:
August 2018 – February 2020
Partners:
Saxon Rural Women’s Association and the District of Central Saxony, funded as part of the LEADER development strategy
Further information on the project: more
Project lead:
Prof. Dr Isolde Heintze, Prof. Dr Stephan Beetz
Duration:
March 2018 – December 2018
Further information on the project: more
Project lead:
Prof. Dr M.A. Monika Häußler-Sczepan
Project Manager:
Dr. M.Sc. Angela Freche
Duration:
2017–2020
Further information on the project: more
Project lead:
Prof. Dr Stephan Beetz
Duration:
August 2017 – May 2018
Further information on the project: more
Project lead:
Prof. Dr Isolde Heintze, Prof. Dr Stephan Beetz
Duration:
October 2016 to February 2017
Further information on the project: more
Consortium partners:
AGJF Sachsen e. V., Chemnitz University of Technology, AWO Kreisverband Auerbach/Vogtland e. V. and FAB e. V. Crimmitschau Funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research
Project lead:
Prof. Dr Sebastian Noll
Duration:
May 2015 – April 2018
Research staff:
Peggy Gruna (2016 – 2018), Christin Werner
Website:
Further information on the project: more
Project leaders:
Prof. Dr Barbara Wolf, Prof. Dr Gudrun Ehlert, Prof. Dr Stephan Beetz
Duration:
1 July 2014 – 31 December 2016
Further information on the project: more
Project lead:
Prof. Dr. rer. nat. habil. Stefan Busse, Prof. Dr. phil. Gudrun Ehlert
Duration:
May 2014 – July 2015
Further information on the project: more
Project lead:
Prof. Dr Christina Niedermeier
Duration:
2014 to the winter semester 2014/2015
Further information on the project: more
Project lead:
Prof. Dr Gudrun Ehlert
Duration:
1 January 2014 – 31 December 2014
Detailed information on the project: more
Project lead:
Prof. Dr Isolde Heintze
Duration:
September 2013 – February 2015
Further information on the project: more
Project lead:
Prof. Dr Isolde Heintze
Duration:
February 2013 – January 2014
Further information on the project: more
Project lead:
Prof. Dr Isolde Heintze
Duration:
September 2012 – February 2014
Further information on the project: more
Project lead:
Prof. Dr Stephan Beetz
Duration:
2012–2014
Further information on the project: more
Joint seminar organised by HAWK Holzminden and Mittweida University of Applied Sciences on the topic: Social Work in rural regions
Project lead:
Prof. Dr. rer. nat. habil. Stefan Busse
Duration:
2012 – 2014
Further information on the project: more
Project lead:
Prof. Dr Barbara Wedler
Duration:
1 August 2012 – 31 August 2013
Further information on the project: more
Project lead:
Prof. Dr Gudrun Ehlert, Prof. Dr Stephan Beetz
Duration:
1 January 2012 – 31 December 2012
Further information on the project: more
Project lead:
Prof. Dr Gudrun Ehlert, Prof. Dr Stephan Beetz
Duration:
1 March 2012 – 31 December 2012
Further information on the project: more
Final report: more
Project lead:
Prof. Dr Barbara Wolf
Duration:
March 2012 – November 2012
Further information on the project: more
Project lead:
Prof. Dr Barbara Wedler, Prof. Dr Christina Niedermeier
Duration:
13 December 2012
Symposium on the project: more
Project lead:
Prof. Dr. rer. nat. habil. Stefan Busse
Duration:
since 2011
Further information on the project: more
Project lead:
Prof. Dr Stephan Beetz
Duration:
May 2010 – September 2012
Detailed information on the project: more
October 2012 – Results-oriented information on the project
February 2012 – ‘Potential for neighbourhood activation’
May 2011 – Launch of the practical research
Academics:
Prof. Dr. rer. soc. Armin Wöhrle
Inclusion of a university-led applied research project (2010–2011)
Duration:
2006 – 2011
Academics:
Prof. Dr. phil. Dr. rer. pol. Günter Zurhorst
Duration:
09/2004 – 08/2007
Funding bodies/partners:
Körnerplatz School, Döbeln; Döbeln District Office; Saxon State Ministry of Culture; health insurance funds: more
Researcher:
Prof. Dr. phil. Monika Häußler-Sczepan
Funding bodies / partners:
Federal Centre for Health Education, Merseburg Centre for Sex Education (e.V.), University of Leipzig, Independent Department of Social Medicine, Merseburg University of Applied Sciences (FH), Department of Social Work, Mittweida University of Applied Sciences (FH), Department of Social Work
Duration:
1 September 2005 to 31 August 2006
Academic:
Prof. Dr. phil. M. Pfüller
Sponsors / Partners:
EBS Torgau, LStU Saxony, Saxon Memorials Foundation
Duration:
2005
Academic:
Prof. Dr. phil. M. Pfüller
Funding bodies / partners:
MBWK Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania
Duration:
ongoing
Academics:
Prof. Dr. rer. soc. Armin Wöhrle
Funding bodies / partners:
Chemnitz Office for Family and Social Affairs
Duration:
2004–2006
Female academics:
Prof. Dr. phil. Gudrun Ehlert, Prof. Dr. rer. soc. Heide Funk
Sponsors / Partners:
LAG Girls and Young Women in Saxony e.V.
Duration:
2005
Academics:
Prof. Dr. rer. soc. Armin Wöhrle
Funding bodies / partners:
ESF
Duration:
2004–2005
(Participation in a sub-project)
Researcher:
Prof. Dr. rer. nat. habil. Stefan Busse
Funding body / Partner:
BMBF, University of Potsdam, Faculty of Education
Duration:
2004–2005
Researcher:
Prof. Dr. phil. Steffi Weber-Unger-Rotino
Funding body / Partner:
Dresden University of Technology
Duration:
2004 – ongoing
Researcher:
Prof. Dr. phil. Monika Häußler-Sczepan
Funding bodies / partners:
Federal Centre for Health Education, University of Leipzig more
Duration:
August 2003 – April 2004
Researcher:
Prof. Dr. phil. Steffi Weber-Unger-Rotino
Funding body / Partner:
Prospetiva 2000, Region of Sicily
Duration:
06/2003 – ongoing
Researcher:
Prof. Dr. phil. Steffi Weber-Unger-Rotino
Sponsors / Partners:
Members of self-help groups
Duration:
09/2003 – ongoing
Academic:
Prof. Dr. phil. Matthias Pfüller
Sponsors / Partners:
Saxon Memorials Foundation
Duration:
2003
Academics:
Prof. Dr. phil. Dr. rer. pol. Günter Zurhorst
Sponsors / Partners:
Döbeln District Youth Welfare Office and Public Health Office, Körnerplatz School, Döbeln
Duration:
2003
Researcher:
Prof. Dr. rer. nat. habil. Stefan Busse, Prof. Dr. phil. Gudrun Ehlert
Funding bodies / partners:
Leipzig City Council
Duration:
April 2002 – February 2004
Academics:
Prof. Dr R. Schwarz (University of Leipzig), Prof. Dr phil. Matthias Pfüller
Funding bodies / partners:
University of Leipzig, University of Bielefeld, offices of the State Commissioners for Stasi Records in Berlin, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia
Duration:
1 April 2002 – 30 March 2005
Academics:
Prof. Dr. phil. Dr. rer. pol. Günter Zurhorst
Sponsors / Partners:
Körnerplatz School, Döbeln
Duration:
March 2002 – June 2003
Academics:
Prof. Dr.rer. soc. Armin Wöhrle
Funding body:
European Social Fund
Partners:
Youth welfare organisations in Saxony
Duration:
2002–2005
Academics:
Prof. Dr. phil. Wolfgang Scherer
Funding bodies / partners:
German Parity Welfare Association, Saxony Regional Association, Caisse Centrale de la Mutualité Sociale Agricole, Commisariado de Luta contra a Pobreza (Portugal), Combat Poverty Agency and Irish Rural Link (Ireland), Mutualité Sociale Agricole des Départements de la Manche (France)
Duration:
1 January 2002 – 31 January 2003
Academic:
Prof. Dr. phil. Matthias Pfüller
Funding bodies / partners:
Leipzig Administrative District
Duration:
1 January 2002 – 31 December 2002
Academics:
Prof. Dr. rer. nat. habil. Stefan Busse
Partner:
University of Bremen, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences
Duration:
Habilitation project completed in 2002
Researcher:
Prof. Dr. jur. Christina Niedermeier
Funding body/partner:
VW Foundation, Institute for Financial Services, Hamburg
Duration:
October 2001 – August 2002
Researcher:
Prof. Dr. phil. Monika Häußler-Sczepan
Funding body/partner:
Saxon State Ministry for Social Affairs, University of Leipzig, Institute for Labour and Social Medicine
Duration:
15 July 2001 – 14 July 2003
Academics:
Prof. Dr Matthias Pfüller
Funding bodies/partners:
Institute for Ecological Spatial Development in Dresden
Duration:
1 February 2000 – 30 October 2000
Academics:
Prof. Dr. rer. soc. Armin Wöhrle
Funding bodies/partners:
Chemnitz Office for Family and Social Affairs
Duration:
2001–2003
Academics:
Prof. Dr. phil. Matthias Pfüller, Prof. Dr. phil. Wolfgang Scherer
Funding bodies/partners:
EU, Mittweida District
Duration:
1 November 2000 – 31 December 2001
Researcher:
Prof. Dr. rer. soc. Heide Funk
Funding bodies/partners:
Saxon State Chancellery, Co-ordination Office for Gender Equality, TU Dresden, Institute of Microsociology
Duration:
2000–2002
Female academics:
Michel, M., Prof. Dr. phil. Monika Häußler-Sczepan, M., Riedel, S.
Funding bodies/partners:
State, University of Leipzig, Institute for Occupational and Social Medicine
Duration:
1 November 1999 – 31 January 2001
Academics:
Prof. Dr Matthias Pfüller
Funding bodies/partners:
Institute for Ecological Spatial Development in Dresden
Duration:
11 August 1999 – 31 January 2000
Academics:
Prof. Dr. rer. soc. Armin Wöhrle
Funding bodies/partners:
Association of State Universities of Applied Sciences for Distance Learning, Federal-State Commission, Alice Salomon University of Applied Sciences Berlin, Wildau University of Applied Sciences, Berlin University of Applied Sciences for Administration and the Administration of Justice
Duration:
1 July 1999 – 30 June 2002
Academic:
Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Stefan Busse
Funding bodies/partners:
DGSv
Duration:
1999 – 2001
Researcher:
Prof. Dr. rer. soc. Heide Funk
Funding body:
Saxon State Chancellery, Co-ordination Office for Gender Equality
Partner:
TU Dresden – Institute of Microsociology
Duration:
1998 – August 2000
Female academics:
Prof. Dr. rer. soc. Heide Funk, Prof. Dr. phil. Peter Schütt, Ms Arnaud
Sponsors/partners:
Döbeln District Youth Welfare Office
Duration:
1 March 1997 – 28 February 1999
Researcher:
Prof. Dr. rer. soc. Heide Funk
Funding body/partner:
Federal Ministry of Agriculture
Duration:
1997 and 1998
Academics:
Prof. Dr. phil. Wolfgang Scherer
Funding bodies/partners:
City of Hoyerswerda – Social Services Department
Duration:
April 1996 – December 1997
Academics:
Prof. Dr. phil. Wolfgang Scherer
Funding bodies/partners:
City of Hoyerswerda – Youth Welfare Office
Duration:
April 1996 – December 1997
Academic:
Prof. Dr. phil. Matthias Pfüller
Funding bodies/partners:
Federal Government
Duration:
1 December 1995 to 29 February 1996
Research Information System (FIS)
Here you will find research information from the Research Information System, which provides an overview of the wide-ranging research output of the Faculty of Social Sciences in particular. Research activities range from projects and publications to academic events. You can also view the research profiles of the academics, which provide insight into their involvement in areas such as committee work or acting as peer reviewers, supervising PhD students or research-intensive final-year dissertations.