Michael Pfitzner

Prof. Dr. Michael Pfitzner is a full professor and holds the Chair of Sports Pedagogy and Sports Didactics at the Institute of Sport and Exercise Sciences, University of Duisburg-Essen. He is actively involved in teaching, research, and academic leadership, serving as Chairman of the Examination Board and Deputy Managing Director of the Institute. His work is deeply embedded in the development of physical education teacher training and school-based interventions.

Educational Affiliations and Roles:

• Professor, Professorship for Sports Pedagogy and Sports Didactics
• Institute of Sport and Exercise Sciences, University of Duisburg-Essen
• Chairman, Examination Board
• Deputy Managing Director, Institute

His research focuses on Sports Pedagogy and Sports Didactics, with a strong emphasis on movement-based learning, inclusive education, and digital teaching. He explores how physical activity can enhance cognitive functions such as executive control in school settings. His work spans theoretical development, empirical research, and practical implementation in classrooms and teacher training programs. Projects like 'Bewegungsbasierte Lernförderung im Fachunterricht' and 'DigiProSMK' reflect his interdisciplinary and applied approach.

The 15 most recent publications highlight a consistent research trajectory centered on competency-oriented physical education, task design, knowledge transfer, inclusion, and the integration of movement into academic learning. These works span journals and edited volumes in sports science, education, and pedagogy, demonstrating a strong commitment to both scholarly and practical impact.

Scientific Awards:

• No specific awards are mentioned in the provided text.

Advising and Grants:

Prof. Pfitzner has supervised doctoral students, including Jennifer Liersch and Esther Pürgstaller, and has contributed to funded research initiatives such as the UDE Graduate College 'Querschnittliche Fragen der Lehrkräftebildung' and projects under the 'lernen.digital' competence network. He has led and collaborated on multiple interdisciplinary research projects involving schools, universities, and educational authorities. His advising role extends to mentoring student research projects, particularly in the practical semester, and guiding early-career researchers in sports pedagogy.

Labs and Research Teams:

He is a key member of the 'Network Lernen und Bewegung' and leads research within the 'Sports Pedagogy and Didactics' division at the Institute. He collaborates with teams across the Institute of Sport and Exercise Sciences and with external partners from WWU Münster, PH Heidelberg, and other institutions. His work is organized within structured research groups focusing on digital teaching, inclusion, and teacher professionalization.