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Artur WideraView profile

Professor

• Quantum Physics
• Ultracold Atoms
• Quantum Gases
• +5 more

Prof. Dr. Artur Widera is a Professor at RPTU Kaiserslautern in the Department of Physics, where he leads a research group focused on quantum physics and ultracold atoms. He has held this position since 2010 and previously served as a scientific assistant in the group of D. Meschede in Bonn (2007-2010). His academic background includes a PhD from University Mainz (2003-2007) under I. Bloch, a diploma thesis with T.W. Hänsch in München (2002-2003), and studies in physics at University Würzburg (1997-2002). Prof. Widera's research spans quantum physics, ultracold atoms, quantum thermodynamics, quantum information, and atomic physics. His work explores quantum gases in optical lattices, quantum simulation, quantum sensing with nitrogen-vacancy centers, and quantum thermodynamics. He has made significant contributions to understanding quantum phase transitions, quantum transport phenomena, and quantum metrology. His publication record shows a consistent output of high-impact research, with recent work focusing on quantum sensing applications, quantum thermodynamics, quantum education, and multiqubit quantum systems. The publications demonstrate a trend toward increasingly interdisciplinary research, connecting fundamental quantum phenomena with practical applications in sensing and quantum information processing. Teaching award of the state Rhineland-Palatinate (2020) APS Outstanding Referee (2020) Teaching award of the state Rhineland-Palatinate (2016) Teaching award of TU Kaiserslautern (2013) ERC Independent Starting Researcher Grant (2011) Prof. Widera has supervised numerous PhD students including Daniel Adam, Sian Barbosa, and Jennifer Koch. His research has been supported by significant grants including an ERC Starting Grant in 2011 and leadership of an independent research group funded by the state of Northrhine-Westphalia (2009-2010). He serves as Dean of Studies for the physics department and chairs the committee for the international Master's program 'Advanced Quantum Physics' at RPTU Kaiserslautern. His workgroup at RPTU Kaiserslautern includes researchers focusing on quantum gases, quantum sensing with NV centers, quantum thermodynamics, and quantum information processing. The team maintains strong collaborations with other institutions in Germany and internationally, particularly in the areas of quantum simulation and quantum metrology.

Claudia SteinbrinkView profile

Professor

• Developmental Psychology
• Educational Psychology
• Reading and Writing Disorders
• +7 more

Claudia Steinbrink is a Professor of Developmental Psychology at the University of Erfurt's Faculty of Educational Sciences. She holds the professorship for Entwicklungspsychologie (Developmental Psychology) and serves as the speaker for the research project "Klang – Sprache – Schrift" (Sound – Language – Writing). Her work is situated within the Psychology department of the Faculty of Educational Sciences at the University of Erfurt, where she conducts research at the intersection of cognitive development, language acquisition, and literacy learning. Professor Steinbrink's research primarily focuses on developmental aspects of reading and writing acquisition, with particular emphasis on phonological and morphological awareness in early literacy development. Her work investigates the relationship between auditory processing capabilities and literacy skills, especially in children with developmental dyslexia. She has made significant contributions to understanding how temporal processing, phonological awareness, and morphological awareness impact reading and writing development in German-speaking children. Her research often employs both behavioral and neuroimaging methods to examine the cognitive and neural correlates of literacy development and disorders. Analysis of her recent publications reveals consistent research trends across developmental psychology and educational neuroscience. Her work demonstrates a clear trajectory from foundational studies on auditory processing in dyslexia toward more nuanced investigations of morphological awareness in literacy development. The publications show increasing sophistication in methodology, incorporating longitudinal designs, cross-sectional comparisons, and neuroimaging techniques. Her research maintains a strong focus on the German language context while addressing universal questions about literacy development. Professor Steinbrink has been actively involved in research projects since at least 2009, with a notable focus on developing and validating assessment tools for early literacy skills. She has collaborated extensively with researchers including Klatte, Lachmann, Bergström, and others on projects related to phonological processing, dyslexia, and literacy development. Her work on the computer-based training program "Lautarium" represents a significant contribution to evidence-based interventions for children with reading and writing difficulties.

Carina LükeView profile

Professor

• Language Development
• Communication Disorders
• Developmental Language Disorders
• +5 more

Carina Lüke is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Pedagogy and Intervention for Language and Communication Impairments at the Institute for Special Education within the Faculty of Human Sciences at Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg. Since August 2020, she has held this prestigious position, leading research and teaching in the field of language disorders and communication impairments. She also serves as the Representative for Equal Opportunities for Women in Science at the Faculty of Human Sciences, demonstrating her commitment to diversity and inclusion in academia. Prof. Lüke earned her Doctor of Philosophy (summa cum laude) from Technical University of Dortmund in 2015, following a Master of Science in Clinical Linguistics from Bielefeld University in 2010. Her academic journey includes positions as Research Project Leader at Paderborn University (2018-2020), Visiting Professor at Heidelberg University of Education (2018-2019), and Research Project Leader at Technical University of Dortmund (2016-2018). She also spent time as a Visiting Scholar at the University of Pittsburgh in 2018. Her research focuses on language and communication development, with particular emphasis on the definition and terminology of language development disorders, diagnosis and therapy for language development delays, multilingualism, supportive communication, and gesture research. She has made significant contributions to understanding how early gesture usage predicts later language abilities, and how multimodal approaches can enhance language learning for children with communication needs. Her work bridges theoretical understanding with practical applications in educational settings, especially in inclusive classrooms. Her publication record reveals several key trends: a strong focus on developmental language disorders terminology and diagnostics, innovative approaches to language assessment (particularly through tools like the Mottier Test), and groundbreaking research on the role of gestures in language acquisition. Her work increasingly addresses multilingual contexts and the intersection of language development with other cognitive domains like theory of mind and metaphor comprehension. Recent publications highlight her leadership in developing clinical guidelines for language disorder interventions across German-speaking countries. Delphi-Study on Definition and Terminology of Developmental Language Disorders (2023-2024) German S3 Clinical Guideline on Interventions for Developmental Language Disorders (2024) Multilingual Assessment Tools Development (Mottier Test) Gesture Research in Language Acquisition Prof. Lüke has secured research funding from major German funding bodies including the BMBF and DFG. Her research group includes doctoral students, research assistants, and collaborators across multiple institutions. She has developed practical materials for educators and clinicians, including 'Gesten und Gebärden zur Wortschatzförderung in Kita & Grundschule' (2024), which translates research into classroom applications. Her research team at the University of Würzburg operates within the Chair of Pedagogy and Intervention for Language and Communication Impairments, conducting studies on projects including ModaKiS, Multitasking, SprESE, and STARKE STIMME macht SCHULE. The team collaborates with outpatient clinics, schools, and international research groups to translate findings into practical applications for children with language development disorders.

Damaris BartzView profile

Researcher

• Language Acquisition
• Developmental Language Disorders
• Grammar and Discourse Acquisition
• +1 more

Damaris Bartz is a Researcher at the Institute for Special Education , Chair of Pedagogy and Intervention for Language and Communication Impairments , University of Würzburg. She holds a Diplom (2010) in General Linguistics/Patholinguistics from the University of Potsdam and has worked in academic and clinical settings since 2010. Her teaching focuses on speech therapy in teacher training programs, and she collaborates with the Research Laboratory for Communication and Language (FoKuS) . Academic Appointments Since 2020: Scientific Associate at University of Würzburg 2018: Education in Logopedics at Charité, Berlin 2016-2017: Seminar Instructor at Humboldt University Berlin Research 2017-2020: PhD on adversative particles ('auch', 'aber') and finiteness acquisition 2015-2016: DFG Project on adversative discourse relations in German, Bulgarian, and English Research Interests: Bartz investigates how adversative particles like 'aber' (but) influence the acquisition of finiteness in German-speaking children, particularly those with developmental language disorders (DLD). Her work bridges morphosyntax with discourse analysis, examining function words' role in syntactic development. Publications: Her publications focus on discourse particles, finiteness realization, and cross-linguistic comparisons in language acquisition. Recent contributions analyze adversative clauses in clinical populations and grammatical development in special education contexts. Clinical Experience: Since 2011, she has worked as a speech therapist in Berlin, specializing in childhood mental health settings. She is affiliated with professional societies like dbs , GISKID , and vpl .

Verena FrankView profile

Researcher

• Early Childhood Language Acquisition
• Pre-Linguistic Communication
• Language Prevention and Early Intervention
• +3 more

Dr. Verena Frank is a Scientific Associate at the Chair of Pedagogy and Intervention for Language and Communication Impairments within the Institute for Special Education at Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg. She contributes to research in the Focus research laboratory IkoGeWo project and teaches in academic speech therapy and teacher training programs. Her research focuses on Early childhood language acquisition Pre-linguistic communication Preventative language strategies Cross-cultural infant vocal development with particular emphasis on multimodal approaches in inclusive settings. Recent publications highlight trends in Iconic gesture applications for vocabulary expansion German Sign Language (DGS) integration Infant comfort sound analysis Preterm infant communication development Acoustic vocal research Early intervention frameworks spanning academic speech therapy, developmental linguistics, and special education. She supervises bachelor's theses in academic speech therapy and participates in state examination committees. Active in the Deutscher Bundesverband der akademischen Sprachtherapeuten (dbs), her work connects academia with practical implementation in Sprach-Kitas and schools.

André GrandlView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Special Education
• Speech Therapy
• Language Impairments
• +3 more

André Grandl, Senior Academic Councillor (AOR) at the University of Würzburg, is affiliated with the Faculty of Human Sciences and the Institute for Special Education . He serves as a member of the Chair of Pedagogy and Intervention for Language and Communication Impairments, contributing to research and teaching in special education. Teaching : Coordinates instruction in speech therapy teacher training and bachelor's programs in special education. Advising : Provides student advisory services for speech therapy teaching. Internships : Acts as contact person for internships in speech therapy education. Research focuses on pedagogical approaches for addressing language and communication impairments, with an emphasis on inclusive educational strategies and speech therapy interventions. His work intersects special education, linguistic development, and clinical teaching methodologies. Recent publications highlight interdisciplinary trends in special education, particularly in German as a second language acquisition and curriculum-based assessment tools. Collaborative efforts with colleagues like Carina Lüke and Verena Frank demonstrate institutional engagement in language support frameworks. Current affiliations include active participation in the university's research projects and outreach initiatives such as STARKE STIMME macht SCHULE. His role involves both theoretical development and practical implementation of communication intervention programs.

Simone SchäffnerView profile

Researcher

• Language Processing
• Bilingualism
• Speech Therapy
• +6 more

Dr. Simone Schäffner serves as a Scientific Associate and Lecturer at the Chair of Pedagogy and Intervention for Language and Communication Impairments within the Institute for Special Education at the Faculty of Human Sciences, Julius-Maximilians-University Würzburg. Since January 2021, she has held dual roles as both a lecturer in the Academic Speech Therapy/Speech Therapy program at Würzburg's Vocational School for Speech Therapy and as Coordinator of the Academic Speech Therapy/Logopedics program at the university. Her educational background includes: Doctor of Philosophy (Dr. phil., summa cum laude) from RWTH Aachen University (2018) Master of Science in Teaching and Research Logopedics from RWTH Aachen University (2012) Bachelor of Science in Logopedics from RWTH Aachen University (2010) State-certified Logopedist qualification (2008) Dr. Schäffner's research centers on multimodal language processing , particularly examining how different sensory inputs affect language comprehension in children with language development disorders. Her work explores bilingual language processing in bimodal bilingual individuals and investigates the relationship between language disorders and sensory integration. A significant portion of her recent research focuses on metacognitive training approaches for improving executive functions in children, with direct applications for speech therapy interventions. She examines gesture production differences, modality switching mechanisms, and the role of modality compatibility in elementary school children's language processing. Analysis of her publication trajectory reveals a clear progression from foundational research on modality effects in language switching to applied research examining these phenomena in clinical populations. Her work increasingly bridges cognitive psychology and speech therapy, developing evidence-based interventions that translate theoretical findings into practical therapeutic approaches, particularly through metacognitive and working memory training protocols. Dr. Schäffner supervises bachelor's theses in the Academic Speech Therapy program and coordinates clinical internships at the ENT Clinic of the University Hospital Würzburg. Her teaching encompasses courses on research methodology in speech therapy, language comprehension disorders, and multilingualism. She leads several active research projects: Investigating modality-specific effects in language processing in children with language development disorder Conducting multitasking studies to examine modality effects in bimodal bilingual individuals Studying the relationship between diagnosed language disorders and sensory integration Her research takes place within the Chair of Pedagogy and Intervention for Language and Communication Impairments, which functions as part of the university's broader infrastructure for special education research and clinical practice.

Flavia AdaniView profile

Professor

• Psycholinguistics
• Syntax
• Early Acquisition of Morpho-Syntax
• +9 more

Prof. Dr. Flavia Adani is a Professor of Language Development at the Free University of Berlin (Department of Education and Psychology) since 2019. Previously, she held a Junior Professorship for Language Acquisition Disorders at the University of Potsdam (2010-2018) and conducted postdoctoral research at institutions in Paris. Her work bridges psycholinguistics , syntax , and developmental disorders , with a focus on typical/atypical language development , autism , and Down syndrome . She employs eyetracking to study sentence processing in children and adults. Education: PhD in Experimental Psychology, Linguistics, and Cognitive Neuroscience (University of Milano-Bicocca, 2008, 'Excellent'); Laurea in Kommunikationswissenschaften (University of Siena, 2003, '110/110 cum laude') Her research explores how syntactic structures , number morphology , and cognitive constraints influence language comprehension. Recent studies examine bilingual children , relative clause processing , and diagnostic tools for developmental disorders. Her 2025 article on morphosyntactic assessment reflects ongoing innovation in language disorder diagnostics . She serves as Deputy Chair of the Institutional Council at Dahlem School of Education (2021-2025) Erasmus Coordinator for Special Education Editorial Board Member of the Journal of Child Language Her interdisciplinary work integrates linguistic theory with experimental methodology .

Sarah JagemannView profile

Assistant Professor

• Literacy Acquisition
• Spelling Didactics
• Inclusive Education
• +4 more

Sarah Jagemann is a Junior Professor (W1) of Primary School Education with a focus on German Didactics at Freie Universität Berlin, affiliated with the Department of Education and Psychology. She joined the university in September 2022 and leads research in linguistic and cultural education. Her academic background includes a Dr. phil. from Leuphana Universität Lüneburg (2018) and prior positions at Universität Kassel and Bergische Universität Wuppertal. Research Interests: Jagemann investigates literacy acquisition, teacher professionalism in language education, inclusive writing instruction, spelling didactics, and multilingual learning environments. Her work emphasizes adaptive teaching strategies, self-efficacy in educators, and inclusive pedagogical frameworks for linguistically diverse classrooms. Publication Trends: Her recent articles (2020-2023) predominantly explore inclusive literacy education, teacher-student dialogues about writing systems, spelling development in secondary education, and diagnostic methodologies. Earlier works (2015-2019) focus on orthographic knowledge in preservice teachers and theoretical modeling of language pedagogy. Projects & Grants: She leads multiple research initiatives including CAPABLE (individual learning concepts), SeaLiS (self-efficacy in inclusive writing instruction), and KoKonS (collaborative literacy development). She also collaborates on the BMBF-funded Londi project for children with learning disorders. Teaching & Advising: She teaches courses like "Current Research Questions in German Didactics" and mentors student assistants. No formal PhD/Master's advisees are listed.

Tanja RinkerView profile

Associate Professor

• Multilingualism
• German Studies
• Language Acquisition
• +3 more

Prof. Dr. Tanja Rinker is an Associate Professor at the Professorship for German as a Second Language (DaZ)/German as a Foreign Language (DaF) within the Faculty of Languages and Literature at the Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt. Her research bridges linguistics, neurophysiology, and pedagogical practices, focusing on multilingualism, language diagnostics, and educational outcomes in second-language acquisition. Research Focus : Neurophysiological correlates of bilingual/multilingual language development Language support and diagnostics for multilingual children Intersection of language development disorders and multilingualism Teacher attitudes toward multilingualism in classrooms Education : Habilitation (2017): "Erwerbs- und Verarbeitungsprozesse in der Zweitsprache Deutsch" at the University of Tübingen PhD in German Linguistics (2007): "Auditory processing in children with Specific Language Impairment (SLI)" at Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg 1. Staatsexamen (2004): German/English for secondary education Magister (2001): German and English Philology at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München and Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg Grants and Collaborative Projects : 2023-2026: €266,501.82 BMBF grant for "SPEAK - Language Diagnostics of Multilingual Children" 2018-2022: €220,000 Marie Sklodowska-Curie ITN funding for MultiMind 2016-2021: €926,750 Ministry of Science, Baden-Württemberg grant Leadership Roles : Co-Director of the Multilingualism Center in Tübingen (2018–present) Director of the Center for Multilingualism at the University of Konstanz (2014–2019)

Franziska TrischlerView profile

Lecturer

• Speech Science
• Phonetics
• Speech Pedagogy
• +5 more

Franziska Trischler is an academic staff member specializing in speech education at the University of Education Freiburg, where she has worked since 2010. She is affiliated with the Institute for German Language and Literature and leads the Sprechperformancegruppe (speech performance group). Prior to her position at Freiburg, she worked as a scientific staff member at Saarland University (2009-2010) on the 'ELAB' project focused on academic eloquence. Dr. Trischler's research and teaching focus on speech science, phonetics, and creative methods for developing oral communication skills. Her work emphasizes expressive reading techniques, speech performance, and innovative teaching approaches using poetry slam, improvisational theater, and digital tools. She has developed virtual exchange programs connecting German phonetics students with international learners from Colombia, Jordan, and Russia. Her publication record demonstrates consistent scholarly activity in speech pedagogy, with recent work focusing on gender-neutral language, virtual speech education, and the integration of performance techniques in teaching. Her research shows a trajectory from traditional speech science toward more innovative, performance-based, and digitally-enhanced approaches to speech education. International Recitation Competition Winner, Vechta (2015) Gender Prize of University of Education Freiburg (2018) Cusanuswerk Scholarship recipient (2005-2009) Deputy Chairperson of German Society for Speech Science and Speech Education (2017-2021) Dr. Trischler actively supervises student projects through the Sprechperformancegruppe, guiding students in developing and presenting speech-based performances on educational and social topics. Her current projects include international virtual exchanges in phonetics education, community reading events, and theatrical explorations of language and power. She maintains a strong connection between theoretical speech science and practical performance applications in educational contexts.

• Signal processing
• Digital image processing
• Nonlinear dynamic systems
• +5 more

Professor Kristina Kelber is a faculty member at HTW Dresden (Hochschule für Technik und Wirtschaft Dresden), holding the Chair of Communications Engineering within the Faculty of Electrical Engineering. She is also a member of the Faculty Council, contributing to academic governance at the institution. Her research focuses on signal processing , digital image processing , and the analysis and design of nonlinear dynamic systems . Her work spans theoretical aspects of communications engineering and practical applications in diverse fields including music technology for accessibility applications, bird song identification, film restoration, and visitor center information systems. Her publication record demonstrates consistent expertise from the 1990s to present, with evolving applications from foundational work in chaos-based encryption systems to more recent applied research with social impact. Professor Kelber has secured research funding for projects such as "sprechAktiv," a child-friendly interactive language learning media initiative developed in cooperation with Linguwerk GmbH, Dresden, and funded by the BMBF's SME innovative program from 2013-2015. Her research methodology combines theoretical analysis with practical implementation, as evidenced by publications ranging from mathematical analysis of chaotic systems to applied projects in music technology and image processing. Member of the Faculty Council at HTW Dresden Associated with the Communication Technology laboratory Active researcher with publications spanning over two decades Professor Kelber teaches courses in systems theory, signals and systems, audio and video technology, signal coding, and digital image processing across multiple degree programs. She offers both traditional classroom instruction and distance learning options through the Bildungsportal Sachsen (OPAL) platform, demonstrating adaptability to different educational delivery methods and commitment to accessible education.

Markus TönjesView profile

Researcher

• Linguistics
• Phonetics
• Phonology
• +10 more

Dr. Markus Tönjes is a Researcher at the Department of German Philology, University of Göttingen, where he has served as Head of Department Administration since 2020. His career spans roles as an Analyst/Linguist in IT, Research Assistant in psycholinguistics, and contributor to DFG-funded projects on language acquisition in hearing-impaired children and language in dementia. PhD (2012) in German Linguistics, focusing on reference in dementia patients. Magister Artium (2006) in German Language and Literature, Communications Research, and Phonetics. His research integrates Linguistics with Artificial Intelligence , emphasizing formal semantics and NLP . He explores phonology , morphology , and syntax in hearing-impaired children, language and dementia , and empirical methods . His publications and lectures highlight interdisciplinary work with Star Trek linguistics and forensic authorship analysis . Recent publications and presentations focus on phonological processes , orthographic norms , language in aging , and cross-linguistic syntax . He supervises BA and MA theses on topics like Kiezdeutsch , orthographic competence , and aphasia , reflecting his broad methodology in empirical linguistics. Key supervised works: Lara Meyer (2023): "Prototypical Sprecher des Kurzdeutschen?" Laura Gleixner (2023): "Bilingualism and Cognitive Reserve" Anna Katharina Baumgartl (2024): "Aphasie: Schweigen oder Leben"

• Speech Therapy
• Communication Disorders
• Language Development
• +2 more

Christiane Hoffschildt serves as an external lecturer at Alice Salomon University of Applied Sciences Berlin, where she teaches A1 Fundamentals of Communication I during the Winter Semester 2025/26. Holding professional certification as a Speech Therapist, she brings valuable clinical expertise to her academic role. Her professional focus centers on practical applications in speech therapy and communication disorders, emphasizing real-world clinical experience rather than academic research. As an external lecturer, she maintains a primary professional practice outside the university while contributing specialized knowledge to the academic program. Christiane Hoffschildt's position represents the critical connection between professional practice and academic education in applied health sciences. Students benefit from her hands-on clinical perspective in understanding communication principles and therapeutic interventions. She can be contacted via email at hoffschildt@ash-berlin.eu , which serves as her primary communication channel with students according to the university directory.

Melanie Jagla-FrankeView profile

Lecturer

• Rehabilitation Psychology
• Psychodiagnostics
• Disease Processing
• +3 more

Dr. Melanie Jagla-Franke serves as a Lecturer for Special Tasks in psychodiagnostics & expert opinion technology at the Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences within the Department of Applied Human Sciences. Her academic career is complemented by extensive clinical experience, having previously worked as a rehabilitation psychologist at AWO Jerichow specialist hospital and in the health department of Stendal district. Her educational background includes a Diploma and Master's in Rehabilitation Psychology, with continuing education in behavioral therapy, forensic psychology, and sibling specialization. Dr. Jagla-Franke's research focuses on three interconnected areas: sibling support systems for families of chronically ill individuals, psychodiagnostics for people with cognitive disabilities, and disease processing mechanisms in physical and mental illnesses. Analysis of her publication record reveals a strong emphasis on developing and validating psychodiagnostic tools, particularly the Essen Coping Questionnaire (ECQ) and Essen Questionnaire for Disease Processing (EFK). Her work frequently employs mixed-methods approaches, with growing interest in digital health issues such as pathological internet use among students. Recent publications increasingly focus on sibling support interventions and health promotion for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Member of German Society for Medical Psychology (DGMP) Member of European Health Psychology Society (EHPS) Member of Association of German Psychologists (BDP) Member of German Society for Behavioral Therapy (DGVT) Dr. Jagla-Franke maintains an active research agenda with numerous collaborative projects, particularly with Prof. Gabriele Helga Franke. Her work bridges clinical practice and academic research, with practical applications in rehabilitation settings, sibling support programs, and psychodiagnostic assessment. She contributes significantly to the development of standardized assessment tools used in German-speaking clinical psychology practice.