Kerstin Rathgeb

Prof. Dr. phil. Kerstin Rathgeb serves as a Professor in the Department of General Pedagogy at the Evangelical University of Applied Sciences, where she integrates critical theory with social work practice. Her academic leadership focuses on developing participatory approaches to counter social exclusion across educational and community contexts.

Her research centers on:

• Social Exclusion dynamics and resistance practices
• Disability Studies from critical social work perspectives
• Social Space as analytical framework and resource
• Historical analyses of youth subcultures (particularly Swing Youth under Nazism)
• Institutional discrimination mechanisms

Through 13 major publications from 2001-2013, Rathgeb examines how spatial, historical, and institutional factors shape exclusionary processes. Her work consistently bridges theoretical critique with practical social work applications, emphasizing community-based resources and user perspectives. Key trends include analyzing Nazi-era youth resistance to inform contemporary exclusion studies and developing spatial methodologies for social work research.

Academic advising is available by appointment. Her research collaborations include the Hessian Community Initiative for the Social City (HEGISS) and interdisciplinary projects with Roland Anhorn, Frank Bettinger, and Cornelis Horlacher.