Kathrin Blaha

Kathrin Blaha is a Scientific Associate and Research Assistant at Alice Salomon University of Applied Sciences Berlin (ASH Berlin), where she has been working since 2020 on scientific qualification. Her academic background includes a Master's degree in Social Work as a Human Rights Profession (2016) and a Diploma in Social Pedagogy (2010) from the same institution.

Her research primarily focuses on disability studies, examining how disability is socially constructed through phenomena like the 'gaze' as reflected in her doctoral work titled 'They stare or they look away.' A critical-phenomenological approach to the 'construction' of disability through gaze. Her work bridges social work practice with human rights frameworks, particularly the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Blaha's publications from 2011 to 2024 demonstrate a consistent focus on inclusion, social justice, and disability rights. Her recent work explores territorial dimensions of inclusion and the boundary conditions of social, political, and educational inclusion for people with disabilities. Her research contributes to understanding professional interactions in disability services and the normative requirements for meaningful participation of people with disabilities in society.

She is affiliated with the Center for Inclusion Research Berlin (ZfIB) and the German Society for Social Work (DGSA), indicating her integration into both institutional and professional research networks focused on social inclusion and disability.

Blaha also has practical experience in anti-discrimination counseling services on age and disability in Berlin (2018-2020) and as a coordinator for shared accommodation for people with learning difficulties (2017-2018), demonstrating the connection between her academic work and practical social services.