Thomas Zabka

Prof. Dr. Thomas Zabka is a Professor of Educational Science at the University of Hamburg, specializing in German Language and Literature Didactics. He holds a position within the Department of Didactics of Linguistic and Aesthetic Subjects (EW 4) at the Faculty of Education. Born in Hamburg in 1959, he studied German Studies, Sociology, and Educational Science at the University of Hamburg, earning his first state examination in 1985. After periods of teaching German as a Foreign Language and freelance journalism, he pursued academic roles, including habilitation at Free University Berlin (2002) and professorships at Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg (2004–2008) before joining the University of Hamburg in 2008. His research focuses on aesthetic education, literary interpretation techniques, text comprehension, and media didactics.

He has contributed to multiple editorial roles, including co-editorship of Didaktik Deutsch (2006–2016) and the series SLLD-B (since 2020). His academic career includes supervising completed doctoral theses and ongoing projects. Notable awards include the Friedrich-Preis für Deutschdidaktik (2020) and an essay competition victory (1994) defending directorial theater interpretations. His work bridges empirical research, teacher training, and classroom practices, emphasizing the integration of linguistic and literary education.

• Research Highlights: Explores dialogic teaching methods, the role of teacher beliefs in interpretation, and competency-oriented pedagogy.
• Grants/Advising: Led the Hamburger Schulversuch alles>>könner (2009–2013) and the ProfaLe project on professional teacher behavior (since 2015). Collaborates with schools and institutions on curriculum development and assessment tools.
• Labs/Teams: Part of the Martha-Muchow-Bibliothek and the Graduiertenschule at Hamburg, coordinating interdisciplinary initiatives.