Katrin Toens

Katrin Toens is a Professor of Political Science at Freiburg University of Applied Sciences, where she has been teaching since 2011. Her work bridges political science and social work, focusing on policy analysis, family and gender policy, social policy, and European integration.

• Education: Studied political science at the Otto Suhr Institute of the Free University of Berlin (undergraduate) and Fordham University in New York (Master of Political Science, 1994).

Toens's research explores social injustices, feminist perspectives in social policy, justice theories, child welfare, youth law, and the political implications of social work. She emphasizes transformative skills and practical engagement with globalized societal challenges.

In 2022, she received the first Teaching Award from Freiburg University of Applied Sciences for her innovative political science teaching in the research-oriented Master’s program in Social Work. Her methods include digital tools, flipped classrooms, and international collaborations, such as a Brussels excursion involving simulations with European Parliament experts.

• Key Contributions: Developed political science curricula for social work students; led research on German higher education policy during the Bologna process; advocated for social policy reforms.