Katja Schwedhelm

Katja Schwedhelm serves as Head of Department at the Institute of Management and Leadership and Program Director of the Institute for Business Psychology (IWP) at Kalaidos University of Applied Sciences, combining her academic role as Lecturer with extensive private-sector management experience in health and education industries to bridge theoretical knowledge with practical organizational challenges.

Her educational foundation includes an economics degree and a part-time Master's in Work and Organizational Psychology specializing in work transformation, complemented by professional certifications as an adult educator, Metaplan facilitator, corporate mentor, CAS Digital Education (HSG), and Hephaistos coaching credentials (DBVC, IOBC).

Dr. Schwedhelm's research critically examines Business Psychology through the lens of New Work implementation, exploring how digitalization reshapes learning cultures, spatial requirements for hybrid work, and the psychological foundations of courageous organizational cultures. Her work emphasizes sustainability and meaning-driven responsibility in workplace transformation, positioning organizational psychology as central to navigating modern work complexities.

Analysis of her 2021-2023 publications reveals consistent interdisciplinary exploration of New Work's practical dimensions, particularly spatial optimization for hybrid environments, digital learning integration, and cultural frameworks enabling organizational courage. These works demonstrate applied methodology connecting psychological theory with tangible business outcomes across diverse industry contexts.

As Head of Study Program, she directs Kalaidos' continuing education portfolio including MAS FH in Applied Business Psychology and multiple CAS programs in Work/Organizational Psychology and New Work & Collaboration, mentoring students through curriculum emphasizing real-world application of psychological principles in organizational settings.

Leading the Institute for Business Psychology, Schwedhelm oversees a practice-oriented research hub developing evidence-based solutions for workplace transformation, fostering industry partnerships to address evolving challenges in management, leadership, and sustainable organizational development through psychologically informed approaches.