Peter Höfflin

Peter Höfflin is a Professor of Sociology and Empirical Social Research at Evangelische Hochschule Ludwigsburg, where he has held a professorship since September 2008. He serves as the Director of the Institute for Applied Research (IAF) and teaches in several degree programs including Social Work (B.A. and M.A.), Early Childhood Education and Care (B.A.), and Inclusive Education and Special Education (B.A.). His academic work focuses on the intersection of urban development, social policy, and childhood studies, with particular emphasis on children's play spaces and community participation.

Professor Höfflin earned his M.A. in Sociology and Economics at the University of Freiburg in 1991 as a scholarship holder of the Hans-Böckler-Stiftung, and completed his doctorate in 2004 with a dissertation on work time design in nursing. Prior to his current position, he worked as a research assistant for urban research at the City of Freiburg (2001-2008) and at the Freiburg Institute for Applied Social Sciences (1992-2001), where his work focused on social and elderly care planning, nursing research, and empirical projects related to youth work and childhood studies.

Höfflin's research interests center on urban sociology, particularly examining how urban spaces shape children's development and opportunities. His work explores child-friendly urban planning, municipal child policy, and the creation of play spaces that support children's autonomy and development. He investigates the relationship between social policy, urban design, and childhood experiences, with particular attention to how marginalized children access and utilize urban environments. His research often employs mixed methods approaches, combining quantitative survey data with qualitative insights from community engagement.

Professor Höfflin's recent publications demonstrate a consistent focus on urban spaces for children, municipal social policy, and community participation. His work spans from local studies in Ludwigsburg to international comparative research, including a notable study on children's free spaces in Switzerland. He frequently collaborates with municipal governments, conducting citizen surveys and evaluations of social programs, particularly those addressing child poverty and youth services. His research output shows increasing attention to trauma-informed approaches, especially regarding refugee children and youth.

• KVJS Research Advisory Board
• International Play Association (IPA)
• Scientific seat on the advisory board "Bündnis Recht auf Spiel"
• Trustee professor of the Hans-Böckler-Stiftung
• German Association of City Statisticians (VDST)

As Director of the Institute for Applied Research (IAF), Höfflin leads various research projects including reach investigations of open child and youth work, scientific support for child participation processes, and studies on free space qualities for children. His leadership extends to media engagement through radio podcasts, interviews with major media outlets like Deutschlandfunk and Die Zeit, and contributions to academic discourse through book reviews and encyclopedia entries. His work demonstrates a commitment to translating academic research into practical insights for policymakers, practitioners, and the general public.