Research Profile

Within this research area, cross-national perspectives on challenges and approaches in vocational education and training are explored. At the same time, studies examine the transferability of vocational education research findings to other national contexts. The joint development, piloting, and evaluation of approaches and materials in vocational education and training are also key components of this research area.

To this end, the Chair actively collaborates with a range of cooperation partners:

• Technical University of Munich, Prof. Dr. Susanne Miesera

• Zurich University of Teacher Education (PHZH), Prof. Dr. Silvia Pool Maag and Prof. Dr. Nicole Ackermann

• University College of Teacher Education Styria (Graz), Prof. Dr. Daniela Moser

• Stockholm University, Department of Education, Prof. Dr. Lázaro Moreno Herrera

• HAMK Finland, Prof. Sanna Ryökkynen

Selected publications:

Kimmelmann, N., Pool Maag, S. (2024).
Chancen eines inklusionsorientierten Umgangs mit Diversität in der beruflichen Bildung der DACH-Länder – Opportunities of an inclusion-oriented approach to diversity in vocational education in the DACH countries.
In: Jonas Scharfenberg et al. (Eds.), Migration und Bildung in der globalisierten Welt – Migration and Education in a Globalised World. Münster: Waxmann, pp. 143–154.

Kimmelmann, N., Pool Maag, S. (2024).
Inklusionsorientierter Umgang mit Diversität an beruflichen Schulen – An inclusion-oriented approach to diversity in vocational schools.
Paper presented at the Section Conference of Vocational and Business Education (DGfE), Dresden.

Pool Maag, S., Kimmelmann, N., Miesera, S., Moser, D. (2024).
Inklusionsorientierter Umgang mit Diversität – Analyse von Kompetenzanforderungen an Lehrkräfte für berufliche Schulen – An inclusion-oriented approach to diversity: Analysis of competence requirements for vocational school teachers.
In: Schlögl et al. (Eds.), Krise und Nachhaltigkeit – Herausforderungen für berufliche Bildung. Bielefeld: wbv, pp. 99–111.

Moser, D., Kimmelmann, N., Miesera, S., Pool Maag, S. (2023).
Diversity-oriented teachers for vocational education: Analysis and modelling of competence requirements for teacher education and training.
In: Proceedings of the European Conference on Educational Research (ECER), VETNET.

Kimmelmann, N., Miesera, S., Moser, D., Pool Maag, S. (2022).
Inclusion for all in VET? A comparative overview of policies and the state of research on migration, integration, and inclusion in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
In: Moreno Herrera et al. (Eds.), Migration and Inclusion in Work Life – The Role of VET. Stockholm: ATLAS Akademi, pp. 117–165.
Open Access: https://www.edu.su.se/english/research/research-groups/vocational-education-and-training-vet-yl

Miesera, S., Kimmelmann, N., Moser, D., Pool Maag, S. (2022).
Integration und Inklusion in der beruflichen Bildung in Deutschland, Österreich und der Schweiz – Integration and inclusion in vocational education in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
In: Jahrbuch der berufs- und wirtschaftspädagogischen Forschung 2022, Berlin/Toronto: Barbara Budrich, pp. 53–73.

Further publications and conference contributions omitted here for brevity are fully available in the German version.

In addition, the Chair has maintained long-standing active membership in the European Research Network Vocational Education and Training (VETNET), including regular conference participation and publications.

This research area focuses on competence requirements, leadership, and new forms of education and training against the backdrop of increasing digital interconnectedness, as well as societal and organizational challenges such as migration and forced displacement, changing working conditions and expectations, and questions of work–life balance.

The aim of these research activities is to design successful, self-directed, and potential-oriented competence development across the life course, enabling individuals, educational institutions, and companies to successfully manage transition and coping processes associated with ongoing change. Particular attention is given to emerging key competences for the future world of work and life, such as resilience and creativity.

Selected publications:

Kimmelmann, N., Thiele, J. P. (2017).
Das Projekt InRegio – Berufliche Integration und Entrepreneurship Education internationaler Studierender in der Region fördern – The InRegio project: Promoting vocational integration and entrepreneurship education of international students in the region.
Kölner Zeitschrift für Wirtschaftspädagogik, 61, pp. 63–81.

Kimmelmann, N., Vormwald, S. (2016).
Threats through Facebook – A project with students in a German vocational school to foster “Facebook competence”.
International Journal of Innovation in Education, 3(2/3), pp. 145–155.

Kimmelmann, N. (2013).
Career in Open Source? Relevant competencies for successful open source developers.
it – Information Technology, 55(5), pp. 204–211.

This research area examines and supports language and communication in vocational education and the world of work, particularly in the context of the vocational integration of refugees and migrant workers. The aim is to research-based implement concepts of integrated promotion of vocational and language competences in vocational schools, training institutions, workplaces, and continuing education, as well as to qualify teachers, trainers, and instructors accordingly.

Selected publications:

Kimmelmann, N.
Language promotion for refugees in VET: How to prepare vocational student teachers for a language-sensitive mentoring with refugees in apprenticeships?
ECER Conference, Glasgow.
https://vetnetsite.org/procpub/vetnet-ecer-proceedings-vol-iii-glasgow-uk-2020/

Kimmelmann, N.
Sprachliche Unterstützung von Geflüchteten in der beruflichen Ausbildung – Linguistic support for refugees in vocational training.
DGfE Annual Conference, Graz.

Further German-language publications with translated titles are available in the German version of this page.

This research area addresses human diversity in (vocational) learning contexts from multiple theoretical perspectives and research approaches, including diversity management, cultural studies, and inclusion.

All research activities share a potential-oriented understanding of diversity, aiming to achieve genuine equality of opportunity in education and work. Both theoretical research for the further development of these approaches and applied conceptual research for implementation in vocational schools, companies, and continuing education providers are pursued.

Selected publications:

Kimmelmann, N.
Gesellschaftliche Vielfalt in der Berufsbildung – Diversity Management – Social diversity in vocational education: Diversity management.
(2020)

Kimmelmann, N.
Gesellschaftliche Vielfalt in der Berufsbildung – Migration – Social diversity in vocational education: Migration.
(2020)

Kimmelmann, N. (2010).
Cultural Diversity als Herausforderung der beruflichen Bildung – Cultural diversity as a challenge for vocational education.
Dissertation. Aachen: Shaker.

This research area documents innovative forms of teaching as well as research-based engagement with new didactic approaches in teacher education. A key objective is the transfer of the Chair’s own research findings into teacher education in order to actively shape the polyvalent training of students and teachers in line with current challenges.

Selected publications:

Kimmelmann, N., Lang, J. (2019).
Linkage within teacher education: Cooperative learning of teachers and student teachers.
European Journal of Teacher Education, 42(1), pp. 52–64.

Kimmelmann, N., Lang, J. (2014).
Lehramtsstudierende mit Migrationshintergrund und ihre Schwierigkeiten an der Universität – Student teachers with a migration background and their challenges at university.
Jahrbuch der berufs- und wirtschaftspädagogischen Forschung 2014, pp. 135–146.