Christian Ghanem

Christian Ghanem is a Professor of Social Work at Technische Hochschule Nürnberg Georg Simon Ohm, specializing in offender rehabilitation, criminology, and social work theory. His research focuses on desistance from crime, aging in prison populations, and the ethical implications of digitalization in social work. He has co-authored major textbooks such as Lehrbuch Soziale Arbeit mit Straffälligen and contributed to international handbooks on criminal justice social work. His work bridges academic research with practical interventions, emphasizing evidence-based practices and policy advocacy.

Key research interests include gerontological issues in corrections, professional judgment in social work, and the integration of technology in social care. He frequently collaborates with international scholars and leads projects funded by institutions like the Bavarian Ministry of Justice. Notable publications analyze prison aging trajectories, threshold decision-making frameworks, and the fragmented social care systems for older prisoners in Germany.

Dr. Ghanem’s teaching spans criminological theories, social work methodologies, and professional ethics. He has edited special journal issues on topics like ‘Altern und Sterben im Gefängnis’ and serves as a peer reviewer for journals such as British Journal of Social Work. His work consistently advocates for humane treatment of incarcerated individuals, particularly older adults, and challenges systemic barriers to desistance through interdisciplinary approaches.