Simone Abendschön

Prof. Dr. Simone Abendschön is a full Professor of Political Science and Managing Director of the Institute of Political Science at Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen. Her research focuses on methods of political science, democracy research, and political socialization, with an emphasis on children, youth, and educational contexts. She leads major research projects funded by the DFG and EU-Horizon, and actively contributes to civic education and statistical methodology in social sciences.

• PhD, University of Mannheim
• Magistra Artium, University of Mannheim
• Studies in History, Sociology, Political Science, and English at Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg

Her research interests include political socialization, democratic citizenship, political education, gender and political inequality, and quantitative methods. She investigates how political attitudes form in childhood and adolescence, particularly in school settings, and how factors like gender, social background, and media use influence political engagement. Her work combines empirical survey methods, experimental designs, and secondary data analysis.

Recent publications highlight trends in children’s political knowledge, gender gaps in online political discussion, civic education effectiveness, and political inequality among youth. Her work spans Germany and multiple European countries, often in comparative frameworks. She emphasizes methodological rigor and educational application.

She has received recognition through leadership roles, including organizing international workshops and serving on editorial boards such as Politische Psychologie and as a panel convenor for IPSA and ECPR. Though no formal awards are listed, her external examiner roles and invited keynotes reflect academic esteem.

She supervises student theses and leads a team of research assistants on DFG and EU-funded projects. She has secured teaching innovation grants for SPSS and R training, enhancing statistical education. Her projects include G-EPIC (EU-Horizon), focusing on gender empowerment in classrooms, and longitudinal studies on political socialization in secondary schools.

She leads the Methodentage initiative and a method consultation service for students, supporting empirical research across BA to PhD levels. Her team includes research assistants and student helpers working on data collection, analysis, and educational interventions.