Stephanie Weiss

Stephanie Weiss is a Professor in the Institute for Sociocultural Development at Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts (HSLU), where she leads the Collaborative Spatial Development program since 2024. She also serves as Co-Lead for the BSc in Social Work with a focus on new concepts and innovation since 2022.

Her professional journey includes roles as a lecturer, project leader, and co-program manager at multiple Swiss universities, including ETH Zürich, OST-University of Applied Sciences, and FHNW. She has led numerous research initiatives on participatory processes in urban development, social sustainability, and inclusive planning.

• Doctorate in Geography from University of Tübingen (2018)
• Magisterexamen in Cultural Anthropology and Journalism from University of Mainz (2004)
• Highest academic qualification in higher education didactics from Lucerne University (2022)

Her research focuses on sociocultural urban development, social sustainability, participatory planning, and sociocultural design. Her work examines how collaborative processes can create inclusive urban spaces that address diverse population needs across different life stages.

Her recent publications and presentations highlight trends in collaborative spatial development, with particular emphasis on participatory methods, social sustainability, inclusive urban design, and sociocultural approaches to architecture that address accessibility and community needs.

• Stipendium für wissenschaftlichen Nachwuchs der Universität Mainz (2004-2005)
• Einladung zum Studienkurs der Aby-Warburg-Stiftung (2005)

As a professional, she has advised on urban development projects in Bern and Luzern, and contributed to research on social sustainability in settlement development. She is a member of several professional organizations including Plattform Gemeinde-, Stadt- und Regionalentwicklung and creatrices.ch.