Helene Ignatzi

Helene Ignatzi serves as Professor of Action Theory and Methods of Social Work and Vice President for International Affairs, Diversity and Family Orientation at Protestant University of Applied Sciences Nuremberg since 2015 and 2018 respectively. Her career bridges frontline social work practice (German Red Cross, 1990-2012) with academic leadership, specializing in aging-related social challenges.

Her research expertise spans:

• Social Gerontology and aging policy
• Elderly care systems with Eastern European migrant workers
• Dementia support services
• Intersections of migration, diversity and aging
• Professional development in social work

Analysis of her 2010-2023 publications reveals consistent focus on caregiver migration dynamics (particularly Polish workers), evolving toward contemporary examinations of age imagery and diversity-informed care models. Her work demonstrates strong policy relevance, addressing legal-ethical dilemmas in home care while developing practical frameworks for inclusive elderly services.

As founder and leader of the Research Network on Eastern European Caregivers, she cultivates interdisciplinary collaboration across academic and practice settings. Her administrative role as Vice President positions her to implement diversity-oriented policies within higher education while advancing her research agenda through institutional support structures.

Students engaging with her work gain exposure to cutting-edge issues in aging societies through her teaching in Social Gerontology and Social Work Methods, with potential research pathways in caregiver migration, dementia care innovation, and diversity-responsive social work practice.