Find Academic Supervisors

Hannes Zacher is a Professor of Work and Organizational Psychology at Leipzig University's Wilhelm Wundt Institute of Psychology. He previously held academic positions at Queensland University of Technology (Australia) and the University of Groningen (Netherlands). His research focuses on occupational health, proactive employee behavior, aging in the workplace, and sustainable organizational practices. He has been awarded grants from institutions like the German Science Foundation (DFG) and the Volkswagen Foundation. Zacher earned his Ph.D. in Psychology from Justus-Liebig-University Gießen in 2009, following a Diploma (equivalent to B.Sc./M.Sc.) in Psychology from the Technical University of Braunschweig (2000–2006). His research interests include occupational health and well-being, proactive and adaptive employee behavior, aging at work and career development, and environmentally sustainable behavior in organizations. He employs methodologies such as longitudinal surveys, experience sampling, and experiments. Key themes in his work address the interplay between work environments and employee well-being, with a focus on fostering sustainable practices and mitigating age-related challenges in the workplace. Zacher leads projects such as the Centre for Digital Work and studies like 'The Role of Work in the Development of Civilization Diseases.' His publications span topics from green workplace behavior to leadership dynamics during crises. He has no listed scientific awards but has secured significant grant funding for his research. Advising and grant details reflect his commitment to impactful research, though specific student names are not provided. His lab and team efforts emphasize translating psychological insights into organizational practices for sustainability and employee well-being.

• Work and Organizational Psychology
• Occupational Health and Well-being
• Proactive Employee Behavior
• +3 more

Dr. phil. Stefan Ladwig is a researcher at the Institute for Automotive Engineering (Institut für Kraftfahrzeuge) at RWTH Aachen University, specializing in traffic psychology, user acceptance, and human-machine interaction for automated driving systems. His work addresses psychological and ergonomic aspects of emerging mobility technologies, including seating ergonomics, trust-building mechanisms, and communication strategies for autonomous delivery robots. Research Focus: Automated driving, interior design psychology, driver/passenger behavior, and safety requirements. Projects: Lead roles in UrbANT (autonomous delivery robot) and SteeringBow (dynamic driving experience). Collaborations: Affiliated with Aldenhoven Testing Center, Future Mobility Partnership e.V., and innocam.NRW. Ladwig’s recent publications examine rotated seating positions, visual dominance in speed adaptation, and trust-relevant driving scenarios, reflecting his interdisciplinary approach to optimizing human-vehicle interactions. His work spans ergonomics, energy management, and behavioral interventions to enhance safety and usability in next-generation mobility solutions.

• Automated Driving
• Human-Machine Interaction (HMI)
• Traffic Psychology
• +5 more

John Nassour is a Researcher at the Technical University of Munich's School of Computation, Information and Technology, affiliated with the Chair of Cognitive Systems. He holds engineering degrees from Tishreen University (electronics), a Master's in intelligent systems from University of Cergy-Pontoise/École Nationale Supérieure de l'Électronique, and a joint PhD from University of Versailles/TUM. His interdisciplinary research focuses on computational cognitive systems applied to robotics, including wearable devices, humanoid robots, soft robotics, and robot learning for locomotion/manipulation. Before joining TUM in 2020, he was a lecturer/researcher at Chemnitz University of Technology. He teaches courses in cognitive systems, neuro-inspired engineering, and soft robotics.

• Computational Cognitive Systems
• Robotics
• Wearable Robotics
• +5 more

Professor Claudia S. Leopold serves as Professor and Head of the Institute of Pharmacy within the Department of Chemistry at the University of Hamburg's MIN Faculty. With over 35 years of academic experience, she leads the Pharmaceutical Technology Department and maintains an active research program focused on advanced pharmaceutical manufacturing processes and drug delivery systems. Her educational background includes a pharmacy degree from Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf (1981-1985), followed by pharmacist certification in 1987. She completed her doctoral research in 1992 on skin penetration enhancement, conducted postdoctoral research at Stanford Research Institute and UC San Francisco, and achieved her habilitation in pharmaceutical technology in 1999. Her academic progression includes professorial positions at Leipzig University (2000-2005) before joining the University of Hamburg in 2005. Prof. Leopold's research program centers on pharmaceutical technology innovations, particularly in tablet formulation and manufacturing processes. Her laboratory investigates optimization of process flows during tableting, use of co-processed excipients, characterization of dustiness within containment systems, control of drug release through polymer interactions, and improving water solubility of active ingredients through co-amorphization techniques. Her work bridges fundamental pharmaceutical science with practical manufacturing applications, addressing critical challenges in modern pharmaceutical production. Her recent publications (2022-2025) demonstrate a strong focus on continuous manufacturing technologies, co-amorphous drug systems, and advanced process analytical techniques. These works reveal trends toward real-time monitoring of pharmaceutical processes, spatial analysis of powder behavior, and sophisticated approaches to enhancing drug solubility and stability. Her research group has made significant contributions to understanding powder flow dynamics, tablet coating mechanics, and the application of novel spectroscopic methods in pharmaceutical manufacturing. Habilitations-Förderpreis der Deutschen Pharmazeutischen Gesellschaft (1997) Ehrendoktorwürde (Dr. h.c.) (2020) Prof. Leopold has supervised over 25 doctoral students throughout her career, with recent dissertations focusing on powder characteristics, co-amorphous systems, continuous manufacturing optimization, and advanced tablet technologies. Her laboratory maintains strong industry connections through contract research in formulation development, tableting process optimization, drug release measurements, and expert consultation on pharmaceutical-technological issues. The research group operates specialized equipment for pharmaceutical technology studies and collaborates with international partners in continuous manufacturing and drug delivery research. The Leopold research group (AG Leopold) operates within the Institute of Pharmacy at the University of Hamburg, maintaining a comprehensive suite of equipment for pharmaceutical technology research. The team includes multiple scientific associates, research assistants, technical staff, and visiting scientists working collaboratively on various aspects of pharmaceutical development and manufacturing. The laboratory environment supports both fundamental research and applied contract work for industry partners, with particular expertise in tableting processes, drug delivery systems, and analytical method development for pharmaceutical applications.

• Pharmaceutical Technology
• Drug Delivery Systems
• Tablet Formulation
• +3 more

Prof. Dr. Nicki Marquardt is a Professor of Industrial and Organizational Psychology at the Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences , affiliated with the Faculty of Communication and Environment at the Kamp-Lintfort Campus. He has been in this role since 2010 and has played a key role in developing both the Bachelor's program in Industrial and Organizational Psychology and the English-taught Master's program in International Management and Psychology. His research and professional work focus on: Human error and error prevention Situational awareness Crew Resource Management (CRM) Safety culture Implicit cognition Business ethics He investigates how unconscious mental processes influence ethical decision-making and organizational safety, particularly in high-risk industries such as aviation, automotive, and healthcare. His recent publications highlight trends in safety culture transformation, mental readiness under stress, and the adaptation of CRM training across sectors. His work bridges experimental psychology with practical organizational interventions, emphasizing measurable improvements in human performance and safety. He has received his doctorate from Leuphana University of Lüneburg in 2009 on the topic of unconscious processes in ethical management decisions and previously contributed to research at the Institute for Experimental Business Psychology (LüneLab). He has also worked as an independent consultant, trainer, and researcher in human factors and safety culture. Prof. Marquardt actively presents at international conferences and publishes in peer-reviewed journals such as Human Factors and Ergonomics in Manufacturing & Service Industries and Journal of Business Ethics . He supports international companies in applying psychological insights to enhance performance and transform organizational cultures.

• Industrial and Organizational Psychology
• Human Error
• Situational Awareness
• +7 more

Professor Antje Gumz holds a Professorship for Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy with a focus on Depth Psychology-Based Psychotherapy at the Psychologische Hochschule Berlin (PHB). She leads a dedicated working group focused on psychotherapy research and training, with particular emphasis on therapeutic relationship skills, alliance ruptures, and psychodynamic concepts. Her academic work bridges clinical practice and scientific research, contributing significantly to the field of psychotherapy. Dr. Gumz's research interests span multiple dimensions of psychotherapy, with particular focus on measuring and training therapeutic relationship skills, including alliance ruptures, facilitative interpersonal skills, dealing with transference/countertransference, and enactments. She investigates mediators of therapy success and the role of language and voice in psychotherapy, bringing a unique perspective that integrates psychodynamic and systems theory concepts. Her work emphasizes the importance of understanding the therapist's role in therapeutic tensions and crises, and how these can be transformed into opportunities for therapeutic advancement. Professor Gumz has published extensively on psychotherapy techniques and training, with numerous publications in leading journals. Her recent work focuses on the development of assessment tools like the Psychodynamic Intervention List (PIL) and the Mediators of Change in Psychotherapy Inventory (MoCPI). Her research demonstrates how specific verbal techniques relate to session quality and therapeutic outcomes, providing empirical support for clinical practice. Heigl Foundation Research Grant (2019-2025) for therapist interpersonal skills research German Psychoanalytic Society Research Grant (2017-2019) for therapeutic techniques studies Professor Gumz actively supervises numerous doctoral students and research assistants, fostering the next generation of psychotherapy researchers. Her work extends beyond academia through collaborations with multiple psychotherapy training institutes across Germany. She has developed innovative training approaches like the Modified Alliance-Focused Training with Doubling (MAFT-D) to improve therapists' competencies in handling therapeutic tensions. Her research group maintains strong national and international collaborations, contributing to evidence-based psychotherapy training and improved treatment outcomes.

• Psychotherapy Research
• Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
• Therapeutic Relationship Skills
• +9 more

Sigurt Vitols is a Senior Research Fellow at the Wissenschaftszentrum Berlin für Sozialforschung (WZB), currently working in the Project Group "Globalization, Work, and Production" since July 2017. His research focuses on corporate governance systems, sustainable development, worker participation mechanisms, and financial institutions' impact on corporate behavior. His educational background includes a Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (1997) and an M.A. in Sociology from the same institution (1989). His academic journey began at WZB as a Doctoral Candidate in 1990, becoming a Research Fellow in 1997. Vitols' research interests center on comparative corporate governance systems, with particular focus on European models that incorporate worker representation. His work examines how different governance structures affect corporate sustainability, long-term investment strategies, and social outcomes. He has extensively studied German codetermination systems and their impacts on corporate behavior, including tax avoidance practices, investment horizons, and corporate social responsibility initiatives. His research spans political economy, labor relations, and institutional analysis of financial systems. His publication record shows consistent focus on worker participation in corporate governance, sustainable business models, and the relationship between financial institutions and corporate behavior. Recent work has expanded to examine European-wide worker representation mechanisms, corporate sustainability reporting, and the impact of worker representation on corporate tax practices. Vitols has led significant research projects including the development of the Mitbestimmungsindex (MB-ix), which measures the strength and impact of worker representation in corporate governance. He has also contributed to European research on corporate governance frameworks through projects examining the European Company Statute, cross-border mergers, and takeover directives. His work has been supported through collaborations with major European institutions including the European Trade Union Institute (ETUI), where he served as a Visiting Senior Researcher (2010-2011), and the Harvard Labor and Worklife Program, where he was a Wertheim Fellow in Residence (2009).

• Corporate Governance
• Sustainable Development
• Worker Participation
• +3 more

Alexander Mertens serves as Associate Professor and Department Head of the Institute of Industrial Engineering within RWTH Aachen University's Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, concurrently leading the Ergonomics and Human-Machine Systems group. His dual doctorates (Dr.-Ing. and Dr. rer. medic.) underpin his interdisciplinary approach bridging engineering and medical sciences. His research centers on human-centered technology integration , with core interests in Ergonomics , Human-Machine Systems , and Virtual Reality applications . He investigates physiological workload monitoring, human-robot collaboration, and inclusive workplace design—particularly through AR/VR systems and sensor-based interventions for manufacturing and healthcare contexts. His work emphasizes translating biomechanical and psychosocial insights into practical solutions for worker safety and performance. Analysis of his 2024-2025 publications reveals three dominant trends: human-robot collaboration in manufacturing (evident in VR-based robot assistance studies), physiological workload assessment (using pupillometry and multimodal signals), and workplace health innovation (addressing interruptions, musculoskeletal disorders, and aging populations). These threads consistently prioritize human factors in digital transformation across automotive, healthcare, and industrial domains. Prof. Mertens directs the Ergonomics and Human-Machine Systems laboratory, driving initiatives like AixistenzRobotik (Aachen Competence Center for Interactive Robotics in Health/Care) and workHEALTH (holistic prevention of work-related musculoskeletal disorders). His team develops adaptive interfaces for inclusive factories and evaluates digital escape signage through age-differentiated studies, maintaining strong industry partnerships for real-world implementation.

• Ergonomics
• Human-Machine Systems
• Industrial Engineering
• +4 more

Sandra Calkins is Assistant Professor of Social and Cultural Anthropology at the Free University of Berlin and a member of the LOST research network hosted at the University of Halle. Her work integrates science and technology studies with medical anthropology to interrogate how evidence about global health interventions is produced, circulated, and contested. Education PhD, Anthropology – Leipzig University (2014) M.A., Anthropology – Leipzig University (2008) Research Interests Drawing on pragmatism and STS, Calkins examines how material-semiotic assemblages shape social orderings and public health problem definitions. Her current project, "Better Bananas for Ugandans," investigates biofortification as a high-tech agricultural fix for micronutrient deficiencies. Through ethnographic fieldwork in Uganda and Australia, she traces how human bodies, banana plants, transgenes, and funding agencies are enrolled into experimental regimes that produce evidence of efficacy and safety. She is particularly concerned with: Infrastructures of evidence and their global politics Agenda-setting in public health nutrition Tensions between emerging biological paradigms (e.g., epigenetics) and established biomedical truths The affective and temporal dimensions of scientific work in post-colonial settings Publication Trends Calkins’s recent output (2019-2021) clusters around three thematic nodes: (1) ethnographies of laboratory and field science in Uganda, (2) critical analyses of evidence and valuation in global health, and (3) theoretical contributions to STS and medical anthropology. Collectively, these works advance a more-than-human anthropology that foregrounds plants, chemicals, and infrastructures as co-constitutive actors in technoscientific worlds. Scientific Awards No specific awards or fellowships are listed in the provided material. Research Funding & Teams Her research has been supported through the collaborative LOST program (Law, Organization, Science and Technology). She has conducted extensive ethnographic fieldwork since 2015 at the National Agricultural Research Laboratories in Kawanda, Uganda, working alongside plant breeders, molecular biologists, nutritionists, and local farming communities.

• Social and Cultural Anthropology
• Science and Technology Studies (STS)
• Medical Anthropology
• +7 more

Prof. Dr. Wenmin Qu is a full-time professor at the Faculty of Engineering , University of Applied Sciences Saarland (htw saar) , specializing in biomedical engineering, sensor technology, and microsystems engineering. He serves as Head of the Basic Laboratory for Electrical Engineering and Electronics and acts as an International Representative for the Faculty of Engineering. Education: B.Eng. (Energy Supply Engineering, 1984, Shandong Polytechnic University, China) M.Eng. (Biomedical Engineering & Devices, 1987, Xian Jiaotong University, China) Dr.-Ing. (Thick-Film Hybrid Sensors, 1994, Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering) His research focuses on sensor technology, microsystems engineering, and biomedical applications, with 48 publications (28 journals, 20 conferences) and 9 patented inventions. He has international experience in nanosensors at Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (1998-2000) and industrial R&D experience at Hydac Electronic GmbH (2000-2008). He teaches courses including Electrical Engineering I/II , Sensor and Actuator Technology , and Microsystems Engineering Technologies at bachelor's and master's levels. Scientific Awards: Certificate of University Teaching Bavaria (2011) 9 patented inventions across multiple countries He leads the ET Basic Laboratory (Technical Center 6302) and contributes to university administration, including occupational health and safety initiatives.

• Biomedical Engineering
• Sensor Technology
• Microsystems Technology
• +2 more

Prof. Dr. Caroline Ruiner is a Professor of Sociology at the University of Hohenheim since 2019. Her research focuses on the impact of digital transformation on work, sustainability transitions, AI ethics, and labor market organizations. Previously, she held positions at the University of Trier and Ruhr University Bochum, where she conducted groundbreaking work on freelance workers and cooperative labor structures. Her interdisciplinary research spans sociology, organizational studies, and digital ethics. Education: PhD in Sociology from the University of Augsburg Studies in Business Administration and Sociology at Goethe University Frankfurt Habilitation in Social Sciences at Ruhr University Bochum (2018) Research Interests: Workplace digitalization and its societal implications Designing ethical AI systems for fair labor practices Twin transformation (digitalization + sustainability) New labor market structures like cooperatives and platform economies Key Projects: AIBBA (AI for Business/ Business for AI) Andromeda (Autonomy in high-reliability organizations) KARAT (AI and driving professions) NewWork4KeyWorker (systemic workforce design) Awards: Recipient of the Teaching Prize from the German Sociological Association for her textbook Arbeits- und Industriesoziologie (UTB 2016). Consultation: Her work bridges academic research and practical applications, addressing labor law challenges, digital ethics frameworks, and sustainable work design. She collaborates internationally with institutions in Europe, Japan, and the U.S.

• Digital Transformation and Work
• Sustainability Twin Transformation
• Artificial Intelligence Ethics
• +4 more

Prof. Dr. Ansgar Thiel is a Professor in the Department of Social Sciences at Eberhard Karls University Tuebingen. His work focuses on gerontology, public health, and sociological aspects of aging. He leads research in the HELP (Helping the Elderly to enjoy Long Complete lives) group, addressing stereotypes of elderly populations, physical activity promotion, and health behavior in aging societies. His interdisciplinary projects include the BaSAlt study on physical activity in nursing homes and studies on elite athletes’ health challenges. He collaborates with the Institute of Political Science and Policy Analysis, exploring social conflicts and institutional dynamics. Key research areas include: 1) Aging populations and social policies, 2) Physical activity interventions for elderly and marginalized groups, 3) Mental health in high-performance domains (sports, music), and 4) Sociological analysis of e-sports and digital culture. His work emphasizes participatory approaches and transdisciplinary collaboration with healthcare institutions and long-term care facilities. Publications span topics from analgesic use in elite sports to pandemic impacts on older adults’ social networks. He co-developed the GEKOS educational program to enhance youth health literacy and contributed to guidelines for occupational health management (BGM). His research bridges social sciences with practical health promotion strategies in diverse settings.

• Gerontology
• Public Health
• Social Policy
• +4 more

Frank Schulz-Nieswandt is a Professor at the Department of Cooperative Studies within the Faculty of Management, Economics and Social Sciences at the University of Cologne, focusing on European Social Policy, Qualitative Social Research, and Co-operative Economics. He has held significant roles including Speaker of the Cologne Round Table of Scientific Institutions, Chief Editor of the Journal of Public and Non-Profit Enterprises (ZögU), and Professor of Honour at the Theological University of Vallendar. Key Affiliations: University of Cologne Theological University of Vallendar Research Interests include aging studies, social policy analysis, and existential philosophy applied to public services. His work explores the intersection of qualitative research and co-operative economic models. Scientific Contributions span publications on social exclusion, healthcare transformations, and EU regulatory systems. Notable awards and memberships involve leadership in the Cologne Networks of Public Services and advisory roles in major German public service organizations. He has contributed extensively to academic networks and journals while maintaining active research in aging-associated social challenges and qualitative methodologies.

• European Social Policy
• Qualitative Social Research
• Co-operative Economics
• +5 more

Prof. Dr. med. Volker Harth serves as University Professor of Occupational Medicine and Maritime Medicine at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf. With an extensive publication record of 495 works, his research spans occupational health, maritime medicine, public health, and epidemiology, with significant contributions to the German National Cohort (NAKO) study and the Hamburg City Health Study (HCHS). Dr. Harth's research focuses on workplace health hazards, occupational disease prevention, maritime health issues, and the intersection of work conditions with health outcomes. His work examines digital stress in healthcare settings, violence prevention in emergency departments, seafarer health, and lung cancer screening for asbestos-exposed workers. He has made substantial contributions to understanding the relationship between work conditions and various health outcomes including respiratory diseases, cardiovascular conditions, and mental health. His methodological approach combines large cohort studies with qualitative investigations into workplace conditions. Dr. Harth frequently collaborates with interdisciplinary teams across multiple institutions, reflecting the complex nature of occupational and maritime health research. His work bridges clinical medicine, public health policy, and occupational safety regulation, with notable contributions to position papers on implementing national lung cancer screening programs. As an educator, Dr. Harth contributes to medical training in occupational and maritime medicine, developing curricula and training future specialists in these fields. His recent work shows increasing attention to digital health issues and the mental health impacts of the pandemic on healthcare workers and other occupational groups.

• Occupational Medicine
• Maritime Medicine
• Public Health
• +7 more

Prof. Ondrej Vaculin, Ph.D., is a Professor at Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt (THI), specializing in passive vehicle safety, mechatronic systems, and automated driving. He joined THI in 2018 and previously held roles at TÜV SÜD Prague (2008–2018) as Vice President for Safety and Security in Automotive, and as a researcher at Czech Technical University (2005–2008) and DLR Oberpfaffenhofen (2000–2005). His research focuses on enhancing vehicle safety through advanced simulation, sensor integration, and machine learning applications. Education: Ph.D. in Mechanics of Solids, Deformable Bodies and Continua from Czech Technical University in Prague (2001), and a degree in Technical Cybernetics from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering at the same university (1991). His work bridges theoretical research and practical implementation, addressing challenges in automated driving systems, crash simulation, and human body diversity in safety design. Research interests include passive safety systems, autonomous vehicle dynamics, and infrastructure integration for safety enhancements. Recent publications emphasize collaborative smart infrastructure, sensor fusion for free space detection, and machine learning in crash detection. He actively contributes to FISITA, serving as a Council Delegate and member of technical committees. Awards/memberships: Active in FISITA, holding leadership roles in technical committees. No explicit awards listed, though his contributions to automotive safety standards are notable. Grants and advising: While no specific grants or students are detailed, his extensive industry and academic collaborations (e.g., IN2Lab testing field projects) highlight his role in applied research and development.

• Passive Vehicle Safety
• Automated Driving
• Vehicle Dynamics
• +3 more