Simone Odierna

Prof. Dr. Simone Odierna is a Professor of Social Work at the Saarland University of Applied Sciences (htw saar), specializing in Fields of Action and Methods of Social Work, as well as Theatre Pedagogy. She holds a PhD from the University of Dortmund and has extensive qualifications in sociology, economics, social work, and ergonomics. Her academic career includes roles leading the mentoring program and auditing family-friendly initiatives at htw saar. She teaches and researches in social work, community development, cultural education, and memory pedagogy, focusing on violence prevention, intercultural dialogue, and Franco-German historical memory projects.

Education: Studied at the Free University of Berlin and Duisburg University, with further studies at TU Hannover. Completed postdoctoral qualifications in 2000 and 2010. Holds certifications as Master Lecturer (DIZ-Bayern) and in theatre pedagogy, conflict moderation, and trauma therapy.

Research interests include community work, social inequality (gender, disability, child poverty), theatre education, and memory education. Recent projects include the 'Digitization of Franco-German Memorial Sites' (2021-2022) and evaluations of youth peace initiatives linked to World War I commemorations. She has published extensively on theatre pedagogy, violence prevention, and Franco-German cultural collaboration.

Her applied work includes forum theatre projects addressing bullying, violence prevention, and intercultural dialogue in schools and youth centers across Saarland. She also led initiatives like '100 Years of World War I – 100 Projects for Peace in Europe' (2015-2020), funded by the Franco-German Youth Office.

Professional memberships include the German Sociological Association, German Association of Social Work, and Bundesverband Theaterpädagogik. She contributes to cultural organizations like Slow Food Deutschland and the Mauthausen Committee Austria.