Donat Knecht

Donat Knecht is a Lecturer and Project Manager at the Lucerne School of Social Work (HSLU), specializing in social policy, planning, and management. He holds advanced degrees including M.A. in Social Planning (2019-2021) and Professional MBA in Social Management (2006). His work emphasizes governance in social services, interprofessional collaboration, and disability policy. Key projects include strategic development for social institutions and leadership in policy implementation across Swiss cantons. Over 20 years of experience includes leadership roles at the Kantonales Sozialamt Zug and Pro Infirmis Luzern.

Education:

• Professional MBA in Social Management (2006)
• Master of Arts in Social Planning (2019-2021)
• Senior Leadership in Social Administration (2014)

Research Interests: Focuses on effective governance models for social organizations, policy implementation frameworks, and cross-sectoral collaboration between healthcare and social work. Recent work explores organizational strategies for child welfare and aging populations, with publications addressing disability policy and addiction treatment governance.

Grants & Projects:

• Strategic development for Wärchbrogg Luzern and Stiftung Weidli
• Total revision of laws governing social institutions in Canton Schwyz
• Analysis of child and youth welfare needs in St. Gallen

Labs/Teams: Collaborates with INSOS (Swiss Social Work Conference), INAS (International Social Management Network), and the Swiss Society for Social Work. Serves on multiple cantonal advisory boards and foundations.