Annegret Gaßmann

Dr. phil. Annegret Gaßmann is a research assistant at the Institute of Education, Faculty of Philosophy III at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, where she has been working since October 2016. She specializes in early childhood education and social pedagogy with a focus on childcare for children under three years. Dr. Gaßmann is currently completing her doctoral thesis on 'Everyday Care in Institutionalized Daycare for Toddlers and Infants,' expected to be published in fall 2025.

Dr. Gaßmann earned her Bachelor of Arts in Educational Science and Sociology from Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (2009-2012), followed by a Master of Arts in Educational Sciences from the same institution (2012-2015). Her academic journey has been focused on early childhood education, with her Master's thesis winning the 1st Research Award of the Institute of Education. Her doctoral work examines institutionalized care practices for toddlers through empirical-theoretical approaches, supervised by Prof. Dr. Johanna Mierendorff and Prof. Dr. Martina Richter.

Her research spans multiple interconnected areas within early childhood studies. Dr. Gaßmann investigates institutionalized childcare for children under three years, examining both daycare facilities and childcare services. She explores the social science care debate and daycare social work, with particular attention to early childhood education concepts, educational programs, and professionalization. Her work also addresses the culture of parenthood, everyday life practices, and theoretical frameworks, employing both qualitative and quantitative research methods with expertise in grounded theory. Her scholarly contributions frequently examine boundary work between family care and institutional settings, professional identity formation, and the impact of social crises on childcare systems.

Dr. Gaßmann's publications reveal a consistent focus on the intersection of care, social work, and early childhood education. Her work examines how institutional childcare navigates the boundaries between family care and public service, with particular attention to professional practices, organizational structures, and the impact of crises like the pandemic on childcare systems. She has made significant contributions to understanding the material culture of childhood transitions and the evolving nature of parenting in institutional contexts, with publications spanning from 2016 to 2024 that demonstrate methodological sophistication and theoretical depth.

Dr. Gaßmann has received notable recognition for her work:

• 1st Research Award of the Institute of Education, Faculty of Philosophy III, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg for her Master's thesis

As an active educator, Dr. Gaßmann has taught numerous seminars since the winter semester 2016/2017 on topics including early childhood education concepts, children's lifestyles, professionalization in social work, theoretical foundations of early childhood education, and the relationship between care and social work. She has supervised student research and served on examination committees. Her research collaborations include work with the Halle (Saale) Daycare Center Authority and participation in the DFG project 'Elementary Education and Distinction' since 2011. Dr. Gaßmann serves on the Study and Examination Board for the BA/MA program in Educational Sciences and contributes to editorial work for 'Discourse Childhood and Youth Research.'

Dr. Gaßmann is actively engaged with professional organizations as a member of the DGfE (German Society for Educational Science), Section for Early Childhood Education. Her collaborative work with institutions like the Halle (Saale) Daycare Center Authority demonstrates her commitment to bridging academic research and practical applications in early childhood education. She regularly presents her research at national and international conferences, contributing to ongoing scholarly conversations about the future of early childhood care and education in Germany and beyond.