Uwe Fasshauer

Professor Uwe Fasshauer is a leading expert in vocational education at Schwäbisch Gmünd University of Education, where he serves as Director of the Institute for Education, Career and Technology and Head of Vocational Pedagogy. With a background as a chemical laboratory technician and extensive academic training, he has developed innovative programs including the B.Eng./M.Sc. Engineering Pedagogy and the part-time BA Business Education, earning the Baden-Württemberg Continuing Education Award in 2015.

Dr. Fasshauer completed his doctorate at TU Darmstadt in 2001 after studying to become a teacher for vocational schools (Chemical Technology, German) and completing a Magister in Pedagogy with a specialization in Vocational Pedagogy. His educational journey uniquely combines practical industry experience with academic expertise in education.

Fasshauer's research primarily centers on digital transformation in vocational education, particularly through learning factories that simulate real workplace environments. His work explores how Industry 4.0 impacts vocational training, teacher professionalization, and regional school development planning. He investigates the integration of digital technologies in vocational classrooms and develops media packages for teacher training that address the evolving needs of modern vocational education. His research demonstrates how vocational education can adapt to technological changes while maintaining strong connections between theoretical knowledge and practical workplace skills.

His extensive publication record shows a clear focus on learning factories, vocational teacher training in the digital age, and the professional development of vocational educators. Fasshauer's work reveals emerging trends in vocational education, particularly the shift toward digitally integrated learning environments that simulate real workplace conditions while addressing the pedagogical challenges of teaching in these complex settings.

His notable recognition includes:

• Baden-Württemberg Continuing Education Award (2015)
• Co-founder of the science award 'Berufsbildungsforschung in gesellschaftlicher Verantwortung' (2022)

As a leader in vocational education research, Fasshauer has secured significant funding for projects including the BMBF-funded 'LPI' project (2023-2025), 'Profun.Dig' (2021-2025) funded by the Foundation for Innovation in University Teaching, and the 'TWIND' consortium project (2020-2023). His work often involves collaboration with other universities and institutions across Germany, demonstrating his commitment to advancing vocational education through cooperative research and development.

Fasshauer leads research teams focused on learning factories at vocational schools, developing cross-location media packages for teacher training. His current projects explore how digitalization transforms vocational education, with particular attention to practical implementation in classrooms and the professional development needs of vocational teachers. His work on explanatory videos and digital learning materials represents an innovative approach to preparing future vocational educators for the challenges of teaching in digitally transformed workplaces.