Verena Kerkmann

Prof. Dr. Verena Kerkmann holds the Endowed Professorship in Rehabilitation Science at the University of Applied Sciences for Health, Bochum, focusing on visual impairment in childhood and adolescence. Her work integrates the WHO's ICF-CY framework with social pediatric approaches, emphasizing participation-relevant vision assessment and interprofessional collaboration.

• Academic Affiliation: Department of Nursing, Midwifery and Therapy Sciences
• Contact: Room 3415, Floor 3 | Tel: +49 234 77727-680 | Email: Verena.Kerkmann@hs-bochum.de

Her research centers on:

• Undetected vision-related reading difficulties in social pediatrics
• Development of digital tools like Provikit web app for cerebral visual impairment diagnostics
• Curriculum design for 'Vision Guide' continuing education programs
• Transformation of the Seh-Lotsen-Sprechstunde (SLS) into a teaching and research clinic

Scientific Funding & Awards

• Waldtraut and Sieglinde Hildebrandt Foundation (2022-2027)
• Ministry of Culture and Science NRW 'Career Paths' program (2017-2022)
• Stiftung Heidehof ProVisIoN project leadership (2010-2017)
• Interdisciplinary tu>startup CLIQUEN competition winner (2013)

Academic Leadership

• Director of the Seh-Lotsen-Sprechstunde (SLS) clinic since 2017
• Developed interprofessional network (InterNetS) for vision assessment
• Created digital manual for vision guide training programs