Ralf Hoburg

Prof. Dr. Ralf Hoburg serves as Professor in the Department of Social Work at Hannover University of Applied Sciences and Arts' Faculty of Diaconia, Health and Social Affairs since 2000. His teaching encompasses Social Economy, Social Management, Welfare State Theory, Third Sector studies, Denomination analysis, and Diaconal Science ethics, with consultation hours announced monthly via office notice boards.

He holds a Doctorate in Theology (Dr. Theol.) following Evangelical Theology studies at Münster and Tübingen Universities (1979-1986). Prior professional roles include Pastor in Herford (1992-1996), Theological Advisor in EKU Berlin's Church Chancellery (1996-1998), and Bertelsmann Foundation Advisor for International Politics (1999-2000).

Hoburg's research centers on Diaconia's societal conditions, corporate social responsibility, foundational societal questions, and social management frameworks. His work uniquely bridges theological perspectives with social science methodologies, examining Christian charity's role within modern welfare systems and third-sector dynamics. Recent publications emphasize ethical communication in helping professions and poverty-alleviation strategies through social department stores.

His scholarly output reveals consistent interdisciplinary trends since 2011, increasingly integrating empirical social research with theological ethics. Key thematic clusters include communication ethics in social work (2017), diaconal corporate cultures (2016), and welfare policy consequences (2015), demonstrating sustained focus on practical applications of theological concepts in contemporary social challenges.

As active member of Arbeitskreis für Religionspädagogik, Netzwerk Diakoniewissenschaft, and Evangelische Forschungsakademie Berlin, he contributes to theological discourse through 'Göttinger Predigten im Internet' and co-edits the 'Theologie und Soziale Wirklichkeit' book series. His research projects include 'Altera' (2012 evaluation), Bahnhofsmission social space analysis (2013), church visitor surveys (2011), and resilience-focused training evaluations (2016), reflecting commitment to empirical social analysis.