Der Souverän auf der Bühne : Zu Novalis' politischen Aphorismen

in Weimarer Beiträge (2008), 54(1), 25-41

Sovereign debt default and banking in a currency union

Scientific Conference (2014, May 27)

This paper analyzes the role of banking in the transmission of sovereign debt default within a currency union. We build a 2-country (core and periphery) new-Keynesian model with an endogenous possibility ... [more ▼]

This paper analyzes the role of banking in the transmission of sovereign debt default within a currency union. We build a 2-country (core and periphery) new-Keynesian model with an endogenous possibility of default on the periphery public debt. We introduce alternative banking representations, going from full integration to fragmentation. We calibrate the model on euro area data and show that the best fit to empirical data arises when we introduce some degree of fragmentation. However, we observe that a well integrated banking sector would reduce the negative consequences of default at the EA aggregated level and limit the welfare cost of stabilizing policies. [less ▲]

Soviet psychologist turned American educational entrepreneur: Lev Landa and “the repatriation” of the theory of programmed learning

Scientific Conference (2019, July 18)

The theory of programmed instruction (PI), developed by a Harvard psychologist B. F. Skinner and heavily invested into in the spur of the Sputnik shock, became the toast of educational world during the ... [more ▼]

The theory of programmed instruction (PI), developed by a Harvard psychologist B. F. Skinner and heavily invested into in the spur of the Sputnik shock, became the toast of educational world during the decade of 1960s (Spaulding, 1967). Surprisingly for this peak decade of the Cold War, it also reached the Soviet Union: More than that, PI’s Soviet promoters did everything in order to secure place for research on programmed learning: PI was legitimated in front of thorough Communist Party ideologists who didn’t allow for any “Western import”, it was protected by the former military-turned-educational scientists, and established in the Institute of Cybernetics (Berg, 1961). During this time, PI was translated through and connected to a body of work and the network of psychological concepts that the discipline in the Soviet Union operated (Leontiev, 1959). Specifically, among others, educational psychologist and a devoted promoter of PI in the Soviet Union, Lev Landa, has developed the theory of algo-heuristic instruction and generically connected it to the theory of programmed learning (Landa, 1962). Soon in 1970s, Lev Landa expatriated to the United States and brought this Soviet version of programmed instruction back to its “homeland”. He established his company Landamatics in the heart of New York and started providing other companies’ middle management with educational services. His training constituted of a set of algorithms, units of information in a logically assembled and coherent way, very much like Skinner's conception of programmed learning decades ago. But this time, the algorithm became a certain externalized idealized structure of thought - that should be learnt and practised. Technically, Landa's enterprise represented the general and, to a large extent, shared belief of the time that is sometimes called the "Cold War rationality", the reinvention of the ideals of Enlightenment during the Cold War. The unique loop that programmed instruction travelled allows for a more profound understanding of the reinvention, the constant morphing of educational ideas in space and time. [less ▲]

Sowjetesch Zwangsaarbechterinnen zu Lëtzebuerg

Article for general public (2021)

Honnerte vu jonke Meedercher aus der fréierer Sowjetunioun ware wärend dem Zweete Weltkrich vun Nazi-Däitschland gezwonge ginn, a Lëtzebuerger Betriber ze schaffen. D'Historikerin Inna Ganschow huet sech ... [more ▼]

Honnerte vu jonke Meedercher aus der fréierer Sowjetunioun ware wärend dem Zweete Weltkrich vun Nazi-Däitschland gezwonge ginn, a Lëtzebuerger Betriber ze schaffen. D'Historikerin Inna Ganschow huet sech fir d'Geschicht vun dëse Fraen interesséiert. Viru Kuerzem huet si fir den Nationale Resistenz-Musée eng Videokonferenz zu deem Thema gehalen. [less ▲]

Sozial-ökonomische Untersuchungen im Biosphärenreservat Bliesgau. Eine erste Bilanz der Bevölkerungssicht und regionalökonomischer Erfolge.

in Naturschutz und Landschaftsplanung (2012), 44(11), 333-340

Biosphere reserves are considered as model regions for a sustainable development in which the relations between humans and the environment represent the focal point of research. However, only a few ... [more ▼]

Biosphere reserves are considered as model regions for a sustainable development in which the relations between humans and the environment represent the focal point of research. However, only a few studies dealing with socio-economic questions have been carried out so far. Using the example of the still young Bliesgau biosphere reserve in Saarland, Germany, this contribution gives a first summary of its evaluation by the local population and first successes of the regional economy. The results of a quantitative survey provide information about the population’s awareness of institutions and offers, the disposition to actively participate and the perception of the Bliesgau biosphere reserve. Moreover, factors, which influence these aspects, are emphasized. By examining the regional economy, strengths and deficits, which inform about the regional added value, are pointed out additionally. The enforcement of regional economic cycles represents an important task in the Bliesgau biosphere reserve. Based on these results, our socio-economic studies provide the first basic principles and findings for future research as early as two years after the designation by UNESCO. [less ▲]

Sozialbericht Esch-Alzette: Ergebnisse, Herausforderungen und Ansätze für die soziale Stadtentwicklung

Speeches/Talks (2018)

Soziale Altenarbeit

in Bock, Karin; Miethe, Ingrid (Eds.) Handbuch Qualitative Methoden in der Sozialen Arbeit (2010)

Soziale Arbeit in der Inklusionsfalle. Terminologische Unbestimmtheit, ethischer Anspruch und neoliberale Wendung.

in Bütow, Birgit; Holztrattner, Melanie; Raithelhuber, Eberhard (Eds.) (Des-)Organisation und (Ent-)Institutionalisierung in der Sozialen Arbeit. (in press)

The analysis of the concept of inclusion in a scientific context and the inflationary classification of different practices as inclusive suggest a rethinking of inclusion as a guiding concept in social ... [more ▼]

The analysis of the concept of inclusion in a scientific context and the inflationary classification of different practices as inclusive suggest a rethinking of inclusion as a guiding concept in social work. Inclusion in the sociological sense means something other than the pedagogical postulate of education for all. Inclusion is sometimes understood as a method (inclusive education), sometimes as an ethical principle (human right) and sometimes as a global goal (the inclusive society). In the neoliberal model, inclusion represents a practice of obligation to contribute to economic growth and to comply with market requirements. Due to its proximity to the everyday life of the people, social work has a growing role to play in pointing out the tension between an inclusion promise in the front stage and a back stage on which social exclusion is legitimised. [less ▲]

Soziale Arbeit und Digitalisierung

Article for general public (2019)

This article is an in-depth written version of a presentation at the seventh meeting and networking day for the social sector (“Praxis- und Kontakttag”) on October 24th 2019 at the University of ... [more ▼]

This article is an in-depth written version of a presentation at the seventh meeting and networking day for the social sector (“Praxis- und Kontakttag”) on October 24th 2019 at the University of Luxembourg. It analyses chances, risks and challenges for the social work profession in the context of digitisation. The article shows, that digitisation already is a part of everyday life in social work practice and that it should be considered an integrative component of a modern social work profession. As an example, the author describes and analyses the changing communication and interaction between three key stakeholders (recipients, professionals and organisations). She argues that the social work profession has to participate actively and shape digitisation processes in practice and research in order to design expedient and needs-oriented solutions. Furthermore, the active involvement of the profession is crucial to ensure compliance with its ethical and deontological principles and standards [less ▲]

Soziale Barrieren beim Zugang zu einem künstlerischen Studium. Konzeption und Ergebnisse einer empirischen Studie in antidiskriminatorischer Absicht.

in Klein, Uta; Heitzmann, Daniela (Eds.) Hochschule und Diversity. Theoretische Zugänge und empirische Bestandsaufnahme. (2012)