معرفی
Nico Leonhardt is a Researcher at the University of Leipzig's Faculty of Educational Science, specifically in the Department of Pedagogy with a Focus on Intellectual Disability. He works at the Institute for Special Education and coordinates key projects focused on inclusive education development. His current office is located in House 5, Marschnerstraße 29d/e, Room 158, Leipzig.
His educational background includes:
- PhD candidate at the Faculty of Educational Science, University of Leipzig (2023-2025)
- Master of Education - Special Education Teacher Training from University of Leipzig (2012-2015)
- B.A. in Rehabilitation and Integration Pedagogy from University of Leipzig (2009-2012)
Leonhardt's research focuses on inclusive school development and social space orientation, inclusion-sensitive university development, participatory research and teaching, ableism, educational equity, and artificial intelligence. His work critically examines power structures in educational settings and advocates for student-centered, participatory approaches to inclusive education. He explores how educational institutions can better serve students with intellectual disabilities through social space orientation and child rights-based approaches. His research often addresses the intersection of disability studies with critical pedagogy, examining how ableism manifests in educational systems and how to develop more equitable alternatives.
His publications show a strong trend toward practical applications of inclusive education theory, with a focus on ableism in school settings, participatory teaching methods, and the intersection of educational equity with emerging technologies like AI. His work spans from theoretical explorations of ableism in educational contexts to practical handbooks for inclusive school development. The research demonstrates a consistent focus on participatory methodologies, social justice, and critical analysis of power structures in education.
Leonhardt has coordinated the QuaBIS project (Qualification of Education and Inclusion Officers in Saxony) since 2018 and worked on the InSide project (Inclusion in Social Spaces) from 2020-2023. He has established international collaborations, including a significant partnership with Universidad National de Cordobá in Argentina starting in June 2024. His teaching activities span numerous topics related to inclusive education, disability studies, and participatory approaches, with presentations at international conferences through 2025.
His work spans multiple educational contexts:
- School development in challenging educational environments
- University-level inclusive education initiatives
- Teacher training for inclusive practices
- Critical analysis of ableism in educational settings
- Participatory research methodologies across educational levels
- International comparative studies on inclusive education
