Franka Schäfer

PD Dr. Franka Schäfer is an Acting Professor in Education and Difference at FernUniversität in Hagen (2024-2025) and a Senior Academic Councillor at the Department of Social Sciences and Sociology at the University of Siegen (2019-2024). Her research focuses on general sociology, sociological theory, performative methods, and discourse analysis, with emphases on poverty, protest, and transdisciplinary real-world laboratories. She leads projects like the citizen science initiative in Siegen’s Kost.Bar and ReSi’s Mitwelt, exploring socio-ecological resilience and fair supply systems.

Education:

• PhD (2012): University of Münster, dissertation on academic poverty discourse
• Habilitation (2018): FernUniversität Hagen, focusing on discourse and practice theory
• M.A. (2006): University of Münster, European Ethnology and Educational Science

Research Interests: Schäfer’s work bridges theory and activism, emphasizing participatory research methodologies. Key areas include poverty dynamics, protest sociology, and the intersection of ecological sustainability with social equity. She co-founded the Social Science Pop-Up Store in Siegen’s City Galerie, blending public engagement with academic inquiry.

Grants & Projects:

• 2023–2024: Hans Sauer Foundation-funded citizen science project on social transformation practices
• Resilient Real-World Laboratories Siegen (ReSi’s Mitwelt): Developing regionally focused socio-ecological resilience strategies

Awards: None explicitly listed for Schäfer herself, though she contributed to the Helge Pross Prize ceremony (2023).

Teaching & Advising: Offers courses on sociological methods, practice theory, and family sociology at the University of Siegen. Currently unable to accept new thesis advisees due to leave of absence.

Professional Affiliations: Member of German Sociological Association, Sociological Theory Section, and board member of Foodsharing Café Siegen e.V. and ReSi’s Mitwelt e.V.