Thomas Geisen

Prof. Dr. Thomas Geisen is a Lecturer at the Institute for Integration and Participation within the School of Social Work at Fachhochschule Nordwestschweiz (FHNW). He also holds a position as Private Lecturer at the Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg since 2022, where he completed his habilitation in Educational Sciences with a focus on Social Work.

His academic background includes:

• Doctorate in Sociology from the University of Basel (Switzerland)
• Magister Artium in Sociology from the University of Trier (Germany)
• Master of Arts in Politics from the London Guildhall University (United Kingdom)
• Degree as a social worker/social pedagogue from the Catholic University of Applied Sciences for Social Work in Saarbrücken (Germany)

Dr. Geisen's research focuses on work integration and disability management as well as work, mobility and migration. His work operates within a comprehensive framework spanning teaching, research & development, further training, and service provision. He examines how workplaces can better accommodate individuals with disabilities, particularly focusing on hearing impairment, and investigates the complex relationship between migration experiences and social integration. His research on work-care balance explores how employees manage both professional responsibilities and informal care for elderly family members.

His recent publications reveal a strong emphasis on practical applications of social work research, with particular attention to disability management in the workplace, migration-related social challenges, and the intersection of care work with employment. Many of his studies employ systematic literature review methodologies to identify gaps in current knowledge and practice.

Dr. Geisen is actively involved in several professional organizations:

• Swiss Society for Social Work (SGSA) - Co-founder and member of the Coordination Committee of the Expert Commission "Social Work and Migration"
• German Society for Educational Science (DGfE)
• European Sociological Association (ESA) - Researchers Network 35 "Migration"
• International Forum for Disability Management Researchers Network (IFDMRN)
• Global Applied Disability Research and Information Network on Employment and Training (GLADNET)

While specific details about his advisees are not provided in the available information, Dr. Geisen appears to collaborate extensively with colleagues such as Lea Widmer, Anna Yerim Yang, and Karl Krajic on research projects related to disability management and migration. His work often involves practical research commissioned by organizations like the Swiss Federal Office for Social Insurance (BSV) and the Institute for Social Work and Social Pedagogy.

Dr. Geisen maintains a strong connection between academic research and practical application through his involvement with the integration company Öko-Service GmbH in Zurich, where he serves on the management team. This reflects his commitment to translating research findings into real-world social work practices.