Felix Hörisch

Felix Hörisch is Professor of Social Sciences, Social and Educational Policy at Saarland University of Applied Sciences (htw saar) since October 2020. He serves as Head of the Master's program in Social Work and Co-Head of the Master's program in Evaluation at htw saar and the University of Saarland. His academic work spans comparative welfare state research, policy analysis, and German state politics with a focus on cross-border regions.

Hörisch earned his Magister Artium in Political Science and Economics from Heidelberg University in 2007, followed by a doctorate (Dr. rer. pol.) in 2010 on corporate codetermination. He completed his habilitation in Political Science at Heidelberg University in 2017, focusing on fiscal and labor market policy reactions to the financial crisis. Prior to his current position, he served as personal political advisor to the State Parliament of Baden-Württemberg and held teaching positions at Heidelberg University and Baden-Württemberg Cooperative State University.

Hörisch's research centers on international comparative welfare state studies and policy analysis, with particular emphasis on labor market policy, youth unemployment, social policy, asylum policy, education policy, fiscal policy, and German federal state politics. His methodological approach often employs comparative methods including Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA). Current research projects include studies on the impact of fiscal rules on education budgets, structural change in Saarland, cross-border labor markets in Europe, and migration policies.

Hörisch actively contributes to academic service as a reviewer for numerous journals including Democratization, European Journal of Political Research, and International Journal of Social Welfare. He serves on the Editorial Board of Zeitschrift für Vergleichende Politikwissenschaft and is a member of the German Political Science Association (DVPW) with memberships in multiple sections including Political Economy and Comparative Politics.

Hörisch holds significant administrative roles including membership in the Scientific Advisory Board of the Saarland Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs, Women, and Health, and leadership positions in multiple master's programs. He also serves as a trustee professor for the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung and participates in various academic committees related to ethics, examinations, and curriculum development.