Saskia Eschenbacher

Prof. Dr. phil. Saskia Eschenbacher is a Professor of Adult Education and Counseling at Akkon University of Applied Sciences Berlin and holds a visiting professorship at Teachers College, Columbia University. Her academic work bridges theory and practice in transformative learning, adult education, and psychological counseling, with a focus on crisis, trauma, and social justice. She teaches in programs such as Social Work and Advanced Clinical Nursing, integrating andragogy, leadership, and emergency psychology.

• Education: BA in Education, University of Augsburg (top of class); fast-track doctorate in transformative learning theory
• Current Affiliation: Akkon University of Applied Sciences Berlin, College of Education and Social Affairs
• Visiting Role: Teachers College, Columbia University (since 2019)
• Leadership: Convenor of the European network TEAE (ESREA)

Her research interests center on transformative learning, particularly in contexts of migration, gender inequality, emergency services, and crisis. She explores how individuals and systems undergo profound change through dialogue, reflection, and pedagogical intervention. Her work integrates systems thinking, trauma theory, and critical pedagogy, with a strong emphasis on social transformation and resilience.

The recent articles show a consistent trend toward applying transformative learning in high-stakes environments—emergency work, pandemics, migration—and addressing structural issues like gender identity, period poverty, and anti-Muslim racism. The research combines theoretical depth with practical relevance, often co-authored with leading scholars in the field, and published in top journals such as Journal of Transformative Education and Frontiers in Education.

Scientific awards and recognitions include:

• Funding from the Hanns Seidel Foundation for doctoral research
• Immunity to Change™ Facilitator certification by Harvard professors Robert Kegan and Lisa Lahey (2022)

She has advised and collaborated internationally with institutions like DVV International, Bosch, and the US Government Exchange Programs. While no formal advisees are listed, she mentors through supervision, workshops, and guest lectures. She has been involved in research grants related to intercultural competencies in emergency services and transformative learning in sustainable development.

She leads the Transformative and Emancipatory Adult Education (TEAE) network under ESREA and contributes to editorial boards such as International Review of Education. Her work fosters international collaboration, particularly in Eastern Europe and crisis-affected regions, promoting transformative learning as a tool for personal and societal change.