معرفی
Thomas Hennemann is a University Professor (W3) at the Department of Special Education and Rehabilitation, University of Cologne, where he has held a full professorship since 2012 after parallel appointments from Flensburg and Giessen Universities. His career spans academic leadership as Deputy Director of the Department and Chairman of the Study and Teaching Commission, alongside active research and teaching in special education.
His educational background includes:
- 1994-1999: Special education (focusing on educational and learning support) and German at University of Cologne
- 1999: First state examination
- 2000-2006: Psychology studies
- 2002: Doctorate in special education psychology, developmental psychology, and German
- 2003: Second state examination in Special Education Teaching
- 2007: Senior teacher appointment in higher education
- 2011: Habilitation in Pedagogy & Didactics for Emotional and Social Development and Learning
Hennemann's research centers on emotional and social development, behavioral disorders, and inclusive education. He pioneers preventive interventions for emotional-social competencies (e.g., Lubo programs, Ben & Lee), classroom management strategies, and teacher professionalization. His work integrates empirical methods with practical applications in special schools and inclusive settings, emphasizing multi-tiered support systems and diagnostic innovation.
Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals dominant trends in mental health assessment for students with autism and emotional-behavioral disorders, teacher-student relationship dynamics, and systematic evaluations of educational interventions. His scholarship bridges German special education contexts with international research, particularly in behavioral interventions (e.g., Good Behavior Game) and teacher efficacy.
Award recognition includes:
- Körber Foundation Ideas Award (2008) for the 'Young people as tutors' project
He directs third-party funded projects from the German Federal Ministry of Labour (e.g., 'Coaches for inclusive education') and NRW Ministry of Schooling, focusing on inclusive transition models and teacher training. His supervision includes thesis guidance from winter semester 2026/27 onward, with historical involvement in special education teacher certification.
Hennemann co-founded the Center for Empirical Inclusion Research (ZEIF) and serves on the board of the Interdisciplinary Center for Empirical Teacher Research (IZeF), driving collaborations between universities, special schools, and welfare institutions like Köln-Vingst social projects and JVA-Ossendorf prison education initiatives.
