Bernd Werse

Prof. Dr. Bernd Werse serves as Professor of Social Work specializing in Addiction Research at Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences, where he holds the Professorship for Research and Action Field Addiction and leads the Institute for Addiction Research (ISFF). His academic position is situated within Department 4: Social Work & Health, reflecting his dual expertise in social work practice and substance use research.

Werse earned his Diplom in Sociology from Goethe-Universität Frankfurt in 1998, followed by a Doctorate (Dr. phil.) from the same institution in 2006. His professional trajectory includes significant research experience at Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, where he served as scientific staff member and leader of the Centre for Drug Research from 2003-2024, while also teaching at multiple German universities before his current position.

His research expertise spans substance use in urban 'open' drug scenes, the societal impact of cannabis legislation, drug trend monitoring systems, and tobacco harm reduction including e-cigarette usage. Werse employs both qualitative and quantitative methodologies, with particular strength in studying hidden populations and drug market dynamics. His work consistently bridges academic research with practical social work applications in addiction contexts.

Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong focus on evolving drug policies, particularly cannabis regulation, and the pandemic's impact on drug services. His research demonstrates methodological diversity, combining cross-national comparisons, ethnographic observation, and survey research to address complex questions about drug use patterns and policy interventions.

• Board Member of the European Society for Social Drug Research
• Spokesperson of the Schildower Kreises (drug policy reform network)
• Regular expert for German Bundestag committees and state parliaments
• Editorial Board membership for International Journal for Drug Policy, Drugs and Alcohol Today, and Kriminologisches Journal

Werse has directed the Monitoring-System Drogentrends (MoSyD) since 2002, providing continuous data on Frankfurt's drug scene. His leadership extends to major research consortia including the Global Cannabis Cultivation Research Consortium (2012-present) and the BMBF-funded DRUSEC project (2017-2020) examining drugs in urban security contexts across ten German and French cities. Current projects focus on youth substance use (BOJE), opioid overdose interventions (NALtrain), and shisha consumption patterns (Shisha-M).

His research teams span multiple European countries and include collaborations with sociologists, criminologists, public health experts, and policymakers. Werse's work has significantly influenced drug policy discussions in Germany, particularly regarding harm reduction approaches and evidence-based regulation of cannabis markets.