Teacher education
Research
An ideal environment for excellent and innovative research
Excellence research
Our multifaceted teacher education research programme addresses fundamental questions about education, learning and competences while considering the pressing social issues of our time.
Our research is both nationally and internationally renowned and is largely supported by third-party research funds.
Teacher education contributes significantly towards excellent research at the University of Cologne and the development of future teachers into teacher scientists.
About the research landscape
I love having conversations with students about how to strike a balance between technically and scientifically demanding topics and the reality of school life. I also enjoy working with them to determine how specialist knowledge, subject-specific didactics, and research findings can improve teaching.
Profile and structures
As one of the largest teacher education centers in Europe, the University of Cologne offers an ideal environment for first-class, innovative, and interdisciplinary research.
Researchers will find a well-networked, cross-faculty research infrastructure.
Our interdisciplinary research areas connect subject-specific science, its didactics, and educational science. It forms the basis for equipping future teachers with both subject-specific and broader, cross-curricular academic competencies.
The University of Cologne Teacher Education Hub initiates, coordinates, and promotes cross-faculty research activities related to teaching.
Teacher scientists: unity in research and teaching
During their studies, prospective teachers are systematically encouraged to develop a scientific habitus – an attitude defined by curiosity, critical thinking, and the ongoing pursuit of knowledge and understanding.
Students learn through research (acquired knowledge about studies and findings), for research (development of methodological expertise) and during research (for example, by conducting their own study project).
This turns student teachers into teacher scientists who can demonstrate a sound understanding of their subjects and of didactic teaching methods.
Beyond their studies, they develop a research-based approach to their professional practice, equipping them to systematically question and improve processes used in teaching and education, based on knowledge and theory.
Teachers enable pupils to engage in research-based learning, fostering their ability to explore subjects independently.
Integration into the university
A substantial part of teacher education consists of the university’s subject-specific research and teaching.
Student teachers study their subjects alongside pedagogical and subject-specific didactic matters. They benefit from the latest research findings in their subject areas, acquiring innovative knowledge that they will later impart to their students.
In addition, the university’s specialist departments and Clusters of Excellence help to ensure that their findings have an impact on society through transfer platforms for children and young adults. Student teachers play a central role as change agents in these settings.