Research

Disability Studies and Inclusive Education are characterised by a critical approach to social norms and normalities, cultural differences and social inequalities. Research in the teaching and research area is multidisciplinary and examines disability processes in different areas of society.

Prof. Dr Lisa Pfahl researches knowledge about social inequality, disability and gender, subjectivation in education and work as well as social movements and norms of equality. She is the organiser of the working group on subjectivation research in the German Sociological Association.

Ass. Prof. Dr Julia Biermann conducts comparative educational research. She studies the transformation of educational systems and the international transfer of educational policies and programmes.

Univ. Ass. (post-doc) Dr. Michael Rasell specialises in the development of disability policy and inclusive social services in Russia and Eastern Europe.

Univ. Ass. (post-doc) David Furtschegger analyses the conditions of inclusive school development and its social theoretical foundation.

Univ. Ass. (pre-doc) Rouven Seebo is researching practices of self-presentation of people with disabilities in social media.

Univ. Ass. (pre-doc) Zoe* Steinsberger investigates trans-female subjectivation and precarisation in post-Fordist employment relationships.

In the dissemination of research results, the teaching and research area aims to address the international scientific communities and at the same time diverse fields of practice in addition to educational science contributions on inclusion, human rights and civil society.

• The publication of the Zeitschrift für Disability Studies / ZDS Journal of Disability Studies addresses the German-speaking specialist community.
• The digital library bidok promotes the transfer of knowledge and establishes a network with actors in the disability movement and disability assistance in order to contribute to the third mission of the University of Innsbruck.

The teaching and research area is a member of the Center for Gender Studies Innsbruck, the Medical Humanities Research Centre and the Doctoral College Gender: Spaces - Relations - Representations.

Current research projects can be found on the personal homepage of the members of the Disability Studies and Inclusive Education Department.