Ursula Offenberger

Ursula Offenberger is Professor for Methods of Qualitative Research at the Department of Social Sciences, Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen. She has been in this role since 2017, following her appointment as Assistant Professor with a focus on Teaching in Empirical Social Science Research. She is affiliated with multiple interdisciplinary centers including the Methods Center, Institute for Social Sciences, and contributes to the Tübingen School of Education and the Center for Islamic Theology.

• PhD in Sociology, University of Tübingen (2017)
• Studies in Sociology and Scandinavian Studies, University of Tübingen and Humboldt-Universität Berlin

Her research focuses on qualitative methodologies, particularly situational analysis as an extension of grounded theory, with strong interdisciplinary links to gender studies, science and technology studies (STS), and sustainable consumption. She explores how gender, technology, and social practices co-construct each other in domains such as home energy use, healthcare, and academic governance. Her work integrates pragmatist philosophy with empirical research, emphasizing reflexive and interpretive approaches.

The recent articles reflect a strong trend in methodological innovation, gender and technology, and qualitative health research. Themes include the application of situational analysis in health contexts like deep brain stimulation, performative storytelling in social science history, and critical reflections on gender equality in academia. Her publications demonstrate a consistent engagement with discourse analysis, organizational change, and interdisciplinary dialogue.

• Dissertation award from the University of Tübingen

Prof. Offenberger actively supervises academic events and workshops, including the Spring and Summer Schools on qualitative research, and has contributed to research projects on gender equality and sustainable consumption. She has collaborated with institutions such as the University of St. Gallen and the University of Hamburg. While no direct mention of grants is provided, her involvement in national and international research initiatives suggests active participation in funded projects. She has advised numerous collaborative research efforts, particularly with Julia Nentwich and other scholars in organizational and gender studies.

She is a founding member of the Arbeitskreis Pragmatismus und Sozialforschung and contributes to interdisciplinary research networks such as QualiNet Wiso and the Leibnizkolleg. Her work bridges sociology, education, theology, and health sciences, fostering collaborative and transdisciplinary inquiry.