Ines Himmelsbach

Prof. Ines Himmelsbach serves as Provost for Research, Head of the IAF (Institut für Angewandte Forschung), and Head of the Applied Gerontology Program at Katholische Hochschule Freiburg. She holds a Professorship in Social Gerontology (since 2014) and oversees research and administrative leadership roles within the university. Her academic background includes a PhD from Goethe-University Frankfurt (2008) and prior research roles at institutions like the German Centre of Gerontology (Heidelberg) and Goethe-University's Faculty of Educational Sciences.

Research Focus: Specializes in gerontological foundations, education and health in aging populations, aging with skill loss (e.g., visual impairment), and qualitative research methods. Collaborates with global institutions including Trinity College Dublin, Goethe Universität Frankfurt, and the European University Cyprus.

Teaching & Projects: Leads initiatives like SENSE Cog (applied gerontology education), AQUILA, and DiBiWohn (dying at home research). Oversees the Doctoral Program in Health Services Research and coordinates scientific continuing education in aging studies.

Professional Background:

• Provost for Research, KH Freiburg (2020–present)
• Director of IAF Institute (2019–present)
• Research Assistant in Aging Sciences, Goethe-University (2009–2014)
• Studies in Educational Sciences and Romance Philology (Goethe-University, Heidelberg)