Karsten Hank

Prof. Dr. Karsten Hank is a Full Professor (W3) of Sociology at the Faculty of Management, Economics and Social Sciences, University of Cologne, since 2010. His research spans population aging, intergenerational family relations, sociology of health, demography, and life-course analysis, with a focus on cross-nationally comparative studies and social inequality.

• PhD in Sociology (Dr. rer. pol.) from the University of Rostock (2002)
• Habilitation in Sociology from the University of Mannheim (2006)

His work investigates:

• Structural impacts of aging populations
• Intergenerational solidarity and conflict
• Health disparities across life stages
• Demographic transitions in European and East Asian contexts
• Life-course socioeconomic determinants

His publications analyze aging trajectories, family care systems, and gendered health outcomes using longitudinal datasets like SHARE, CHARLS, and KLoSA. Current affiliations include leadership roles in the University of Cologne's Demography & Social Inequality research initiative.