Jens Palkowitsch-Kühl

Dr. Jens Palkowitsch-Kühl serves as a Lecturer at the Chair of Protestant Theology II with a focus on Religious Education and Didactics of Religious Education within the Institute for Protestant Theology and Religious Education at Julius-Maximilians-University Würzburg. He maintains concurrent academic appointments including Acting Professor of Ethics and Education at the Evangelical University of Applied Sciences Darmstadt (2023-2024), and teaching positions at Ludwigsburg University of Education and Protestant University of Darmstadt. His professional roles extend to digital leadership positions within the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bavaria as E-Learning Coordinator and former Digital Education Officer.

• Bachelor of Arts in Social Work with community education/diaconal work qualification (Evangelical University of Applied Sciences Darmstadt, 2008-2012)
• Master of Arts in Religious Education - Protestant Religious Education (Evangelical University of Applied Sciences Darmstadt, 2012-2013)
• PhD in Religious Education with dissertation on 'Religious education teachers in digitalization processes' (2015-2020)

Dr. Palkowitsch-Kühl's research focuses on the intersection of digital media and religious education, with particular emphasis on religious socialization in mediatized spaces, digital media education, and ICT applications in religious contexts. His work bridges theological inquiry with practical educational applications, examining how emerging technologies reshape religious learning environments and experiences. He investigates how youth navigate religious identity formation within digital landscapes and develops pedagogical approaches for integrating new media into religious instruction.

His recent publications reveal a clear trajectory toward increasingly sophisticated digital applications in religious education, with growing attention to artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and game-based learning. The research demonstrates a methodological shift from analyzing existing digital media integration toward developing and testing innovative pedagogical frameworks like the reliGlobal approach and VR-based learning environments. His work consistently addresses both theoretical foundations and practical implementation challenges in religious education contexts.

Dr. Palkowitsch-Kühl actively contributes to the RELab digital research initiative and the Center for Anti-Semitism Education, collaborating with colleagues like Prof. Dr. Ilona Nord on projects examining religious education in mediatized worlds. His interdisciplinary approach connects religious studies with media theory, educational psychology, and digital humanities to address contemporary challenges in religious education.

His teaching portfolio spans multiple institutions and covers topics including 'Media & Methods in Religious Education,' 'Digital Games in Religious Education,' and 'Religious Education Excursions' focused on VR, gamification, and digital socialization. He has developed specialized courses on serious moral games, AI applications, and digital media competencies for religious educators, reflecting his commitment to preparing future religious educators for digital contexts.