Jan Woppowa

Prof. Dr. Jan Woppowa is a Senior Research Fellow at the Katholisch-Theologischen Fakultät der Universität Wien and former Professor for Religionsdidaktik (Religious Didactics) at the Institute for Catholic Theology within the Faculty of Cultural Studies at the University of Paderborn. His academic career spans roles as Deputy Director of the Institute for Catholic Theology (2017-2019), member of educational councils, and consultant for Jewish-Christian relations. He holds a venia docendi in Religious Education and Catechetics following his 2021 habilitation thesis on cooperative religious instruction.

• Education: Dr. theol. (2005), first and second state exams for teaching (1994, 2005), and diverse research stays at Hebrew University, Jerusalem (2000-2002).

Woppowa’s research focuses on cooperative religious education, interreligious dialogue, and spiritual learning. He examines praxeological approaches to multifaith instruction, integrates postcolonial and antiracist critiques into theological pedagogy, and develops frameworks for ecumenical and intercultural educational models. His work addresses tensions between confessional identity and pluralistic teaching environments.

Recent publications highlight trends in interreligious curriculum development and digital pedagogy. He co-edits the open-access journal Religion unterrichten and has authored monographs on praxeological perspectives in cooperative religious instruction. His articles analyze historical narratives in educational media and explore spiritual competence development in secular contexts.

Woppowa contributes to teacher training through editorial work on Praxissemester (practical semesters) and methodological innovations in confessional cooperation. He advises on Jewish relations within the German Bishops’ Conference (since 2017) and engages with comparative theology, particularly through Ernst Akiba Simon’s work on Jewish adult education. His roles include leadership in professional associations like the Arbeitsgemeinschaft Katholische Religionspädagogik und Katechetik (2013-2015).