Katarina Fritzsche

Katarina Fritzsche, M.A., serves as an Associate Lecturer in the Department of Cultural and Social Anthropology at the University of Cologne. Her academic career has been centered on ethnographic research and educational anthropology since joining the department in 2013 as an Academic Assistant after previously working as a Graduate Assistant (2010-2013).

• MA in Cultural and Social Anthropology (2010), University of Cologne
• Studies in Cultural and Social Anthropology, Art History, and Prehistory (2003-2010), University of Cologne

Her research focuses on the Anthropology of Childhood and Youth, examining children's life worlds in South African townships and squatter camps. She explores Intercultural Communication in educational contexts, Human-Animal Relationships, and methodological approaches in anthropology. Her work bridges academic research with practical applications through collaborations with schools and museums, particularly in pre-university anthropology education.

Fritzsche's scholarly contributions emphasize educational anthropology and diversity in German schooling, reflecting her commitment to applying ethnographic methods to contemporary educational challenges. Her publications demonstrate a consistent focus on integrating anthropological perspectives into formal education systems.

• Research Grant by The German Academic Exchange Service (2012)
• Student Fellow of the Royal Anthropological Institute, London (since 2012)
• Vice Speaker of the GAA-Working Group 'Ethnologische Bildung' (2013-2015)

As an educator, Fritzsche supervises the 'Teaching Pre-university Anthropology' seminar in collaboration with the Rautenstrauch-Joest-Museum and local schools. Her current PhD research examines comparative approaches to pre-university anthropology education in England and Germany, analyzing development, aims, practices, and limitations of introducing anthropological perspectives to school curricula. She has developed innovative teaching methods connecting university research with primary school education through museum partnerships.

Fritzsche actively participates in educational anthropology networks, contributing to the development of pre-university anthropology programs and intercultural education initiatives in the Cologne region through collaborations with the Offene Schule Köln and Humboldt-Gymnasium Köln.