Christoph Ratz

Christoph Ratz serves as Professor and Chair of the Chair of Special Education IV - Education for People with Intellectual Disabilities at the Institute for Special Education within the Faculty of Human Sciences at the University of Würzburg. He has held this position since 2016 and serves as Deputy Director of the Professional School of Education (PSE) at the university since 2020. Ratz is also a member of the 'Expert Commission for the Further Development of Teacher Education in Bavaria' since 2023.

• Since 2023: Pro-Dean of the Faculty of Human Sciences
• Since 2023: Member of Expert Commission for Teacher Education Development in Bavaria
• Since 2020: Deputy Director of Professional School of Education (PSE)
• Since 2016: Chair of Special Education for People with Intellectual Disabilities

Ratz's research focuses on special education for people with intellectual disabilities, inclusive didactics, and education for mentally handicapped individuals. His work addresses critical issues in inclusive education implementation, particularly examining how schools can effectively integrate students with intellectual disabilities while maintaining subject-specific teaching quality. He investigates challenges in educational transitions, digital inclusion, and the development of appropriate teaching methodologies for diverse learners.

His recent publications reveal a strong emphasis on digital inclusion and adaptive teaching methods for students with intellectual disabilities. Key research trends include the development of digital learning resources like the 'winBooks' project for inclusive early education, analysis of challenging behaviors in educational settings, and examination of how diagnostic labels affect student evaluation. His work bridges theoretical special education frameworks with practical classroom applications, particularly in literacy and mathematics instruction for students with intellectual disabilities.

Ratz holds leadership positions in several academic organizations including the German Society for Special Education (vds), German University Association (DHV), and the German Society for Educational Science (DGfE). He serves on editorial boards for journals including Empirische Sonderpädagogik and Vierteljahresschrift für Heilpädagogik.

His academic journey includes habilitation at the University of Koblenz-Landau in 2014 in the field of 'Special and Inclusive Education,' and a doctorate from the University of Würzburg in 2008 on mathematics education for students with intellectual disabilities. Prior to his academic career, he worked as a special education teacher from 1994-2002.