Prof. Dr. Annette Upmeier zu Belzen is a Professor at the Institute of Biology at Humboldt University of Berlin, where she has been serving since October 2005. She leads the working group on Biology Didactics and Teaching/Learning Research within the Department of Biology Didactics. Her academic work is situated in the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences at one of Germany's most prestigious research universities. Her educational background includes: Promotion Dr. paed. from the Institute for Biology Education at Westfälische Wilhelms-University Münster (1997) Master of Arts in School Management from Technical University of Kaiserslautern (2005) Studies in biology, education and psychology at the University of Münster, culminating in the First State Examination (1992) Prof. Upmeier zu Belzen's research primarily focuses on biology education, with special emphasis on models and modeling in science education. Her work explores how students develop scientific reasoning skills through model-based learning approaches. She investigates the cognitive processes involved in understanding biological phenomena through modeling activities and examines how these processes can be effectively supported in classroom settings. Her research has significant implications for science teacher education, as she develops frameworks for assessing and fostering model competence among pre-service teachers. Through her work, she bridges theoretical perspectives on scientific modeling with practical classroom applications, contributing to both educational theory and practice in science education. Her recent publications reveal a strong focus on model-based learning, scientific reasoning, and teacher education. She has been increasingly investigating the role of abductive reasoning in modeling biological phenomena as complex systems. Her work spans formal classroom settings, museum education environments, and teacher professional development contexts. A notable trend in her recent work is the integration of cognitive science perspectives with educational research to better understand how students and teachers engage with scientific models and practices. Prof. Upmeier zu Belzen holds several significant professional roles: Deputy spokesperson of the Interdisciplinary Center ProMINT-Kolleg Scientific Director of Humboldt Explorers Editor of Science Education Review Letters (SERL) Member of the Council of the Humboldt University of Berlin She is actively involved in educational policy and standards development, serving as a consultant for various national and international organizations including the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) for the PISA Science Framework 2025. Her expertise is sought after for developing educational standards and frameworks across multiple German educational institutions. Prof. Upmeier zu Belzen leads and participates in several research teams and laboratories focused on science education. Her work with the Humboldt Explorers program creates innovative learning environments, while her involvement with the Interdisciplinary Center ProMINT-Kolleg supports STEM education initiatives across Berlin and Brandenburg.
